Today on Oolong Owl let’s drink some oolong and an award-winning oolong at that!
I encountered MeiMei Fine Teas during the 2017 World Tea Expo and only tried their puer. They were kind to send me some oolong to try.
Both teas I steeped with a really high leaf ratio, so 1 gram of leaf to 12ml of vessel size, flash steeped in boiling water. I enjoy this style of steeping as I get max flavor punched in the head and easy to find a weakness if things go into a bitter hell.
MeiMei Fine Teas’ Wuyi Rock Oolong Tea Enchanting Fragrance Bai Rui Xiang
You don’t see Bai Rui Xiang oolongs that often. I don’t think I’ve had it before and wasn’t sure what to expect. I associate the name “fragrance” with green floral oolongs, but this one sports nice bit of oxidation. Rui Xiang is the varietal of this oolong, harvested in May 2017.
The hot leaf smells like marzipan – it is sweet and almondy.
First and Second Infusion: The flavor is fruity and creamy, like milk and tart pomegranate seeds. Bai Rui Xiang has a good balance of sweet, creamy, and tart, with an interesting salivation, making me drool after each sip. The fruity flavor lingers for awhile, kind of pomegranate and currants with a bit of nutty.
Third Infusion: The third infusion was maximum flavor and payoff – it was fruity like the early steeps, but with a honey note. I love that this tea is nicely thick like drinking cream, and I can sit here for awhile and enjoy the fruity taste without drinking any tea.
Fourth and Fifth Infusion: Bai Rui Xiang slipped in the body, becoming thinner in texture and flavor. It is still fruity, but also on the watery side due to aggressive steeping out of the flavor.
MeiMei Teas’ Floral Shui Xian Wuyi Rock Oolong Tea
MeiMei Fine Teas’ Floral Shui Xian Wuyi Rock Oolong Tea got Bronze in the dark oolong category at the 2017 Global Tea Competition. From their site,
It was harvested in May and produced by Master Liu and was moderately roasted over charcoal for several times. Tea master Liu grew up in a prominent village in WUyi tea growing area and has been making tea for over 20 years.
The leaf smells like fragrantly fruity of blueberries and plums.
First, Second, and Third Infusion: Quite a complex tea we got here. The Shui Xian is strong, brightly fruity, leaning towards berries like blueberries and raspberries, with some sips tasting more like plums. It is balanced with some woodsy. It isn’t tart like the previous tea. Shui Xian is nicely naturally sweet and leaves a creamy mouthfeel and salivation. The aftertaste is floral and fruity.
I can tell this is a competition tea as it is bright and flavorful tea. The fruit flavor is so clear and sharp, without being bitter, tart, dry.
Fourth and Fith Infusion: There is a crisp, sweet mineral note here, and a loooong flavor of berries and wet stones. The wood notes are gone but it is no loss as the other flavors are great too. I love the aftertaste in this Shui Xian as it just doesn’t quit.
Sixth and Seventh Infusion: Shui Xian slipped fast, but that seems pretty typical for this type of tea and steeping. It slipped to simply having little flavor but all-powerful fruity tart aftertaste. It got tart and slightly dry as it died, but never bitter.
Comments
The Shui Xian is the award winner and I can see why due to the high flavor pay off balanced notes, and epic aftertaste that doesn’t quit. It is quite good and fruity, making for a great Shui Xian. This one stood out for the aftertaste.
I personally enjoyed the Bai Rui Xiang a bit more, but it is down to personal taste as I quite liked that pomegranate note. It is not something I come across that often, and I lean on enjoying new experiences. It might a bit tart for some, but it was a great tea that I am glad I got another sample packet left.
Overall I am happy with MeiMei Fine Teas as both oolongs were exceptional. They certainly are very powerful on the aftertaste and fruity flavor. I quest for that crazy long aftertaste so this was a treat for me to have such good oolong. If that is the kind of oolong you like, be sure to check them out.
(tea provided for review)
