Fanciest Formosa Oolong

The twisted leaves brew up a darker, more honeyed cup than I expected from an oolong, and that late June harvest gives it a depth that’s hard to find elsewhere. My first steep was a little strong, but once I dialed back the water temp it turned silky and rich.

The later June harvest really shows in the depth here, and I love how the twisted leaves hold up for multiple steeps without turning bitter. There's a quiet, steady sweetness that builds with each rinse, exactly the kind of complexity you want in a slow afternoon cup.

The twisted leaves unfurl beautifully in a glass pot, and that later June harvest really gives it a mellow depth I don't get from balled oolongs. Even the third steep holds its character, which is rare for me.