For the past couple of seasons, I’ve seen Floating Leaves tea come out with the Diva High Mountain. I keep meaning to try it, so I snagged the latest 2022 Winter Diva High Mountain oolong during their anniversary sale.
This Qing Xin cultivar oolong was grown at 1500 meters at Smangus village in Northern Taiwan. Diva High Mountain Oolong is a more traditional style, so it is not as green as other high mountain oolongs.
Leaf and Steeping Method
Opening the package of oolong releases an explosion of scent. The leaves have a heavy floral scent of orchids and butter.
When I place the tea leaves in my hot shiboridashi, a caramel scent emerged. After a rinse, the tea has a tulip and caramel butter scent.
Tasting of Floating Leaves Tea’s 2022 Winter Diva High Mountain Oolong
First and Second Infusion: Diva High Mountain oolong is so smooth and immensely thick. It has that watery flavor quality of a winter oolong with notes of swirling tulips, green mango, and light caramel before sinking into a mineral, and floral sweet aftertaste that clings to the teeth. After a few moments, it is like I ate a piece of rock candy. Texture wise, the tea has a thick feeling in my mouth like I could chew on it like a konjac jelly.
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Infusion: Diva High Mountain oolong is getting stronger and more buttery. The flavor is building upon itself and the aroma is getting stronger. It is crisp and sweet, but contrasting to be densely thick and oily texture. My gums are saturated with a floral aroma. My body feels chest thumped and full like I ate a big meal.
Sixth and Seventh Infusion: I pushed winter Diva to finish it off, though it went a bit astringent to dry the tip of my tongue. The flavor is soft but the aroma is maxim tulips and light caramel. It is still thick, like chewing on boba tea. The aftertaste here has more of the green mango element as well.
Comments
I feel so darn chill after drinking 2022 Winter Diva High Mountain oolong like I did yoga. This is certainly more oxidized than the typical high mountain oolongs with the honey and caramel notes, but still highly aromatic and engagingly fruity.
The winter harvest may be too subtle and soft for those new to high mountain oolongs, but is a quality tea with excellent body feeling and texture. Shan Lin Xi high mountain oolong is typically my favorite, but I am interested how a spring crop of Diva high mountain would taste like.
