Purple Da Hong Pao is an offshoot varietal from classic Da Hong Pao oolong. Old Ways Tea’s 2019 Purple Da Hong Pao, in particular, had its roast job in August 2019.
Leaf and Steeping Method
The dry leaf smells like roasted cream, with the roast smells potent without being burnt or ashy. I’m drooling and damn excited to drink this tea. I didn’t know how much I needed Purple Da Hong Pao until I smelled it.
I used 1 gram of leaf per 12ml of vessel size, aiming to do chaozhao style and “fill the gaiwan”, However, I had concerns the freshness of the roast would be too much, so I went on the conservative side leafing not fully to the top.
The hot leaf smells like roast and melons, slightly like a tomato.
Tasting of Old Ways Tea’s 2019 Purple Da Hong Pao Wuyi Oolong
First and Second Infusion: HOLY HOOOT WHAT IS THIS?!
Purple Da Hong Pao sips in sweetened cream, watermelon, and roast. The roast is strong on the uptake but slips quickly leaving the taste being mostly watermelon milk whereas aftertaste is a floral mixed with the watermelon milk. As the floral fades in the aftertaste, the watermelon flavor remains.
The oolong leaves an oily sensation on the lips but sips like cream. There is a touch of astringency in this tea, leaving the tip of my tongue dry.
Third and Fourth Infusion: Purple Da Hong Pao drinks like a meal. My digestive track feels like I ate a bowl of hearty oatmeal, but all it is is tea. Purple Da Hong Pao sips interestingly here, continuing on the watermelon cream, with sharp roasts and caramel. I imagine this is what watermelon caramel tastes like – yes that is a thing you can make.
Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Infusion: Purple Da Hong Pao tastes of bitter roast, with the aftertaste of fresh watermelon, with a long lingering taste of even more watermelon. Some sips are very roasted tasted like the bitterness of coffee. The last infusion was of bitter caramel.
Admittedly, it got too bitter for me to drink for the last 2 infusions.
Comments
If you love the complexity and uncommon collection of flavors in a tea, Old Ways Tea’s Purple Da Hong Pao is it. I’ve rarely come across a tea with watermelon notes that weren’t treated with added flavoring. As I sipped this tea and it reignited my passion for tea, as Purple Da Hong Pao is so crazy and wild which excites me.
Though the con of this oolong is it is astringent and bitter. Likely longer rest would be best to settle down the roast.
Old Ways Tea has some awesome teas. Be sure to check out my other tea reviews featuring their teas.
(tea provided for review. The review was delayed so I can purchase some)
