Description
Yellow Twig (黃枝香, Huáng Zhī Xiāng, "Yellow Twig Fragrance") – An Ancestral Phoenix Oolong
Characterized by its bronze color and twisted leaves, this tea can be challenging to brew but well worth the extra attention and effort. A medium-oxidation tea, it rewards the brewer with an intense frangrance reminiscent of tropical fruit and a satisfying deep huí gān 回甘 ("returning sweetness").
Origin & Craftsmanship
- Medium oxidized tea results in both light grassiness and assertive flavors
- Requires precision brewing or can become astringent
Flavor Profile
- Breezy and light – An airy sweetness
- Smooth — A light, crisp mouthfeel
- Complex — Zestiness of tropical fruit is counterbalanced with deep caramel
Benefits
- Low acidity makes it easy on the stomach
- Caffeine and catechins may result in metabolic boost
- A light, invigorating tea
Brewing Instructions
- Water Temperature: 195–205°F (90–96°C)
- Steep Time: 15–30 sec per infusion
- Tea-to-Water Ratio: 4g per 100ml (Gong Fu style)
- Best Brewed In: Small Gai Wan using fast hot water technique
Yellow Twig (黃枝香, Huáng Zhī Xiāng, "Yellow Twig Fragrance") is one of the ten ancestral Phoenix Oolong varieties that is characterized by its bronze color and twisted leaves. This tea is representative of the medium-oxidation Phoenix oolongs, in that it can be challenging to brew; Yellow Twig requires great precision and skill. The results, when successful however, are outstanding.
Lessons from Tea Tavern Brewers: This tea, when steeped too long, can become bitter and astringent. So the Tea Tavern recommends brewing quickly. When teaching how to brew this, we tend to use a smaller gaiwan with the usual 5g of leaves and using a fast, hot (water) brewing technique.
West China Notes:
A tropical fruit flavor and a satisfying deep huí gān 回甘 ("returning sweetness"). An intensely fragrant tea with a tempestuous character, redolent with the scent of cooked tropical fruit with slight caramel and butterscotch overtone
