In my last post I gave you some basic information about the Korean Green Tea Woojeon.

The dry leaves…

The slightly twisted leaves had a nice dark olive color with hints of yellow.  They also appeared to be slightly rolled lengthwise. I also didn’t see any broken leaves.  The pleasing aroma of the dry leaves had soft floral notes mingled with lush herbaceous scents. Perhaps somewhat of an odd combination, but just the appealing smell of the dry leaves, made me eager to brew a cup.

http://www.unami-store.com/en/coree/733-woojeon.html

Brewing…

Here’s the deal with brewing this rather delicate green tea. It infuses very fast and it is very easy to over steep. What you’re left with then, is not going to be a good cup of tea.  I recommend a very brief (1 minute or less) for the first infusion, or it will become a bit overwhelmingly strong, and the flavor will be gone for making a second cup. If you keep the first cup brief, you can brew a second cup. My water temperature was about 160 F. Also, note that Korean Green Teas are not meant to be served piping hot. P.S.I used my smallest gaiwan to infuse.

In my cup…

The leaves turned a bright flush of light greens with yellow tints. That lingering floral scent of the dry leaves was transferred to my cup, making it light and soothing. I detected a slight vegetal top note to the thick broth. The floral notes mixed with hints of hay created a much more complex green than I had imagined. The mouthfeel was silky medium bodied and slightly viscous.

This tea is a beautiful, smooth cup of vegetal and floral flavors that linger in your mouth and then slowly evaporate on the middle of your tongue.  A very clean finish, with some slight sweetness, rounds out the cup.  To me it was reminiscent of high- quality Japanese greens, but lighter and smoother. So, if  you are looking for a gentle, silky and subtle tasting tea with none of the bitterness usually associated with green tea – then this is for you. As for me, as you know green teas, are not my usual go to teas, but Woojeon was a very pleasant cup of tea.  On the Rating Scale, it’s a minus 4- Good ( I liked it, but I would not repurchase it).

Rating Scale

All teas will be rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 for dislike and 5 as love:

1. Dislike (I didn’t like the tea and would not repurchase)
2. Passable (I didn’t dislike the tea, but I didn’t think it was very good)
3. Average (I didn’t find it good or bad and would drink it again)
4. Good (I liked it but it and may repurchase)
5. Love (I enjoyed it lot and would repurchase

Next is Xishuangbanna