Aged Foshou Oolong Tea from 1958

Description

Young Foshou is also known as “Buddha’s Hand”, as the cultivar has large leaves with finger-like structures. It’s an Oolong tea that has a strong citrusy aroma often compared to bergamot. However, those flavors change with age.

After a decade, the citrus notes mellow and allow more complex flavors to come through. The tea becomes smoother, but with notes of dried fruits, wood, and spice, as well as earthy undertones.

It doesn’t age like Puerh. There is no dynamic aging process and no fermenting microbes. Instead, it undergoes a prolonged oxidation process, much like red wine maturing in a bottle. Oxygen exposure gradually softens harsher flavors while rounding off the tea’s profile. What’s more, tea masters periodically roast the tea to reduce its moisture content, and this further enhances the flavor.