What is Jin Mu Dan? I went in thinking this is a black tea like Jin Jun Mei, but this is a roasted oolong from Wuyishan, China. Old Ways Tea’s Jin Mu Dan, aka Golden Peony, is crafted by the Tea Research Institute of the Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences to be thick in texture and has a floral scent.
Leaf and Steeping Method
The leaf of Jin Mu Dan Oolong smells like bread crusts and floral citrus osmanthus.
I used a heavy leaf style, going 1 gram of leaf per 12ml of vessel size, gongfu steeped in boiling water. After a rinse, the hot leaf smells like strong floral bordering soap with a persimmon note.
Tasting of Old Ways Tea’s 2019 Jin Mu Dan Oolong
First and Second Infusion: Jin Mu Dan Oolong sips in thick, like half-set jello, with a sharp roast hit of chestnut shells. There is a lot of osmanthus and persimmon going on, but it is not in the tea, it’s in the aroma, as the smell goes through my mouth and into the sinuses. The aroma penetrates my gums and sticks to my teeth. As I drink, I notice that the mouthfeel builds to be cottony and thick, with a soft lip balm feel after drinking.
Jin Mu Dan gets a lot of mileage on aroma alone, as a couple of sips felt like drinking a full cup. I took a sip then did a row of knitting on my hat, and could still taste the tea.
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Infusion: Old Ways Tea’s Jin Mu Dan sips in with a potent sharp roast, baby powder note, and a touch of bitterness, with the result of a more balanced feel. The aroma is still insane and this is taking a long time to drink as I want to enjoy the fragrance.
Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Infusion: These steepings are a bit watery but have notes of sharp nutty roast and wet rock mineral that is overwhelmed with the strong floral aroma. Jin Mu Dan oolong isn’t gaining any bitterness, but it is astringent here making the gaps of my teeth feel dry. The last infusion was minerally and a bit roasted tasting, with the aftertaste finally not settling in. Jin Mu Dan resteeps better than expected as the aftertaste and aroma carry a long time.
Comments
Do you prefer to smell your tea more than taste it? Love a long, never-ending aftertaste in your tea? Old Ways Tea’s 2019 Jin Mu Dan oolong is tactically engineered and potently floral aftertaste neverending.
I do think Jin Mu Dan would benefit from at least a year of rest as the roast is hella sharp, but it is fine if you love a roast with bite. Either way, I quite enjoyed this tea – Old Ways Tea rarely disappoints.
(tea provided for review)
