Aged Dongding Tea Cake
**This cake is similar but not exactly the same as the previous 2020 tea cake!
At the 2024 Nantou Tea Expo we stumbled across something a little different. For the last 6 years, a Dongding tea farmer has been experimenting with making tea cakes out his traditionally produced Dongding Oolong. These cakes are the result of that experiment, and we think they are worthwhile to share!
Made from ~20 year old Competition Dongding Oolong that had been sitting on a shelf, the aging tea was steamed and pressed into cakes with the idea of enhancing the flavor of the tea as it aged in 2020. The experimental pressing has given these cakes a unique flavor that we have (semi) jokingly called 'Wet Stored Taiwanese Shou Oolong'.
Smooth and recognizably Donging Oolong, notes of smooth dark roast, sweet coconut and red fruit notes are this cakes' dominant flavors. We are sure it will get better with age!
Elevation: 900m
Status: Tested Agrochemical Free
Cultivar: QinXin
Oxidization: 35%, Post Fermented
Season: Spring 2010s, pressed in 2020
Method: Hand picked, processed on site, small batch, electric roast
Region: Dongding, Nantou
Recommend Brewing Style:
Gong Fu Style: 3-5g per 100ml, ~100C water, 30, 45, 60 then add 5-10 seconds steeps in gaiwan. Lasts 4-5+ steeps.
Western Style: 3g per 100ml, ~100c water for 3 minutes. Lasts 2-3 steeps.
