Yangmei Wild Hard Twig "Red Rock" Oolong Tea - Winter 2021

This tea was produced right after the creation of "Ruby Stone." With harvest quantity that was unbelievably low, we were urgent to come up with a contingency plan to make a tea processing trip economically feasible. Mr. Chen immediately told us he knew another plantation that grows wild "Hard Twig Red Heart" in Yangmei area, and he could go to check whether a harvesting was possible or not as we were processing the Shihmen material into an Oriental Beauty oolong. 

Mr. Chen brought back great news for us and he will arrange the plucking squad a day after finishing our Shihmen production, so we took a good day off at the factory before processing this tea. Fortunately, the yield of this plantation was enough for us to make a traditional style oolong this time. 

The terroir of this Hard Twig Red Heart provides a new lens to understand the varietal in a even closer way. Not being influenced by the coastal wind and hydrology, this wildly grown Hard Twig has a new face to be recognised with. If you want to explore the mysterious facade of this long lost varietal, the "Red Rock" will be your top option in the teapot.

Harvest:  Winter 2021 / 冬 貳零貳壹

Varietal:  Hard Twig Red Heart / 硬枝紅心

Elevation:  100 M / 壹佰 公尺

Region:  Yangmei / 楊梅

Fermentation Level:  35% / 分之 卅伍

Roast Level:  1 / 壹 分

 Brewing......

  This wild grown tea brings terroir, varietal, and processing into focus through its brew. The fermentation level is not high, more like low-medium, such that the core of the tea is transformed yet the layers of possibility wait for the senses to discern. All in all there is a rather comforting consistency in the dried fruit and spice elements of the tea. Even as it gives flavor and lingering sensation round after round, the tea also offers windows to taste and see through. Its layers of soil and leaf characteristics visible to the other senses. An enjoyableu tea no doubt, yet also one to sit with to learn.