GABA oolong is a specially processed tea which is flushed with nitrogen during the what is traditionally an 'oxidization' process. This creates GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) in the tea leaves, the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in our central nervous system. GABA oolong is said to calm the nerves and potentially has a whole host of medicinal benefits, although we'll leave that up to your own research. We don't, however, choose teas for their health benefits, we choose teas for their taste. And this rich, red broth-ed GABA oolong is yummy. This batch was harvested from the same garden as our Diva High Mountain Oolong, and made by the GABA Oolong Master that processed the Lalashan Hongshui all those years back. Rich red-amber broth is flavorful and sweet, with notes of caramel and sweet potato, while aromatic spices like cinnamon and dried fruit fill out the top end. Mouthfeel is round, soft and full with an oily texture which coats the throat. Especially fruity and smooth! A slow five day process of alternative shaking and anaerobic fermentation is needed to bring out both the relaxing GABA and the caramel sweet taste. A labor of love, they use some of our favorite high mountain oolong material from the Diva plot on Jian Shi Mountain. The result is an especially complex and smooth red oolong with the unique GABA taste very round and well integrated into the harmony of other flavors. Very forgiving to brew, and it does great grandpa style as well as gongfu style. Well suited to chilling after a long day.
