Yellow Twig

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 dark, fruity, assertive flavors 
• Water Sensitive – Will yield different flavors and strengths with different waters
• 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 for the Drinker

• Low acidity makes it easy on the stomach 
• Caffeine and catechins may result in metabolic boost 
• A light, invigorating tea 

Specialized Brewing Instructions 

• Water Temperature: 210°F (100°C)
• Steep Time: "Don't look up till the gaiwan has been poured" (~3 seconds)
• Tea-to-Water Ratio: 5g per 100ml (Gong Fu style) 
• Best Brewed In: small tea pot using hot water with fast technique 
• If over-brewed: Will get a bitter; add more water to recover. 🙂

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