SUPER FANCY FORMOSA OOLONG

While tea ceremonies are usually associated with Japan Taiwan which has an incredibly rich tea culture in its own right also has intricate ceremonies that are gaining more widespread attention. Possibly the most interesting and unique of these is the Wu-Wo ceremony developed by Grand Master Tsai Rong Tsang. The ceremony is heavily rooted in Buddhist philosophy - Wu translated means a void absolute emptiness while Wo means self - very Buddhist.

The ceremony begins by inviting people over for tea each person bringing his or her own tea with them. Everyone brews enough cups to serve all the other guests seated around the table. In this way everyone brews and serves tea no one leads and no one follows. In keeping with the Buddhist theme, there are seven principles that must be adhered to:

1. No special treatment is given to social ranking.
2. There are no rewards.
3. Keep your mind open.
4. Be positive and always try to improve your technique.
5. Follow the rules and never come late.
6. Cooperate with everyone present.
7. People of all religions and beliefs may participate.

So what kind of tea would customarily be brought to such a ceremony?

Enter the Black Dragon - Super Fancy Formosa Oolong - Oolong means Black Dragon in Chinese. The favored tea of many Taiwanese connoisseurs oolong is immediately recognizable due to their stout crinkled and rolled leaf style. When infused the tea unfurls revealing full leaves with bruised slightly reddish edges. The light liquor and palate cleansing profile make this tea the perfect companion to a relaxed afternoon appreciating the finer things in life.

How is it made? In Taiwan making Oolong is considered a precious art. To make one as fine as this requires years of formal training to master. From nursing new seedlings to planting nourishing the bushes and properly selecting the best time to pluck the leaves the intricacies of Taiwanese tea husbandry are passed down from one generation to the next. The great masters believe that it is only through the transfer of carefully protected secrets that the finest specimens can be produced. Production involves rolling the fresh leaf followed by a brief fermentation period. Once the leaves have begun to turn brown they are fired under high heat to capture the unique and highly intricate flavor profiles. It is interesting to note that a shorter firing produces teas with an almost peach-like character while a longer firing will produce a rich amber cup with bakey notes.

Super Fancy Formosa Oolong undergoes a slightly longer firing than some others and subsequently produces a cup that is exceedingly smooth somewhat toasty and long on the finish. An exceptional tea entirely worthy of a celebration of its own.