Bao Zhong High Grade ~ Art of Tea

As you probably know by now, I don’t review many Oolongs. Oolongs are more or less pure poison to the IBS sufferer. Oxidized tea=very disgruntled bowels. ^^;; However, today I am reviewing Art of Tea’s Bao Zhong though because, well… it’s just so damn cute~ xD

Although like most tea, it originated in Fujian and now is more commonly grown in Anhui, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to call Bao Zhong/Pouchong, the jewel of Formosa. A specialty Greener “Oolong”, the finest Bao Zhong are grown in the premier gardens in Pinglin and Wenshan Townships in Taipei. The name Bao Zhong (包種),  which means “wrapped kind”, refers to how it was originally produced by wrapping the leaves in paper. Generally only receiving 12-18% oxidization (so I did force myself to try this one), Bao Zhong/Pouchong is often considered a separate category distinct from Oolong. According to the Taiwanese, Bao Zhong’s pale-jade liquor possesses the “clear color of a full moon” or some such.

In aroma, Bao Zhong High Grade is extremely clear and floral. The closest flower aspect i could point to in this case would probably be blooming lilac. Bao Zhong also has a delightful fresh, wet note not unlike a flower shop. Flavorwise, Bao Zhong is also very smooth and more chlorophyll than i’d have thought. Though, judging by the liquor color, maybe that was a mistake on my part. The flavor isn’t unlike a well-aged Ti Kuan Yin, but then, I don’t drink much Oolong so i could be totally way off-base on that. Bao Zhong’s texture is very veiny and tougher than it is gritty. To be sure, a very lovely tea if you can stomach it.

1. Aroma – 95
2. Taste – 92
3. Texture – 93
4. Spunk – 96
5. Price – 93
6. Availability – 88 (103 hits on Steepster ^^;;)
7. Appearance – 93

Mean score – 93%

“But don’t take my word for it…” I give extra spunk points for the impossibly cute tea tin.