Physalis and Taiwan Dayuling

During my visit to Simon Lèvelt I bought this combination: a fruity nougat and a Da Hong Pao Oolong. Nougat made the tea very fruity, tea reduces the sweetness of the nougat and enhanced the nutty tones. 8 grams of tea in my gaiwan (they sell great ones at their shops), 110 ml of 90 degrees Celsius water and steeping times of 25-20-25-30-35-40-45 seconds.

Amaretti, apricot, clotted cream and Linden honey. Perfect with a Taiwan Dong Ding 2019 spring flush. 9 grams on 110 ml 95 centigrade water. 25-30-35-45-60 seconds. The flowery Oolong becomes fruity and flowery, the Amaretti very nutty. The mouthfeel is so creamy!

Grilled zucchini and a China Anxi Tie Guan Yin Qing Xiang. 2 grams of tea directly in the glass, 95 centigrade water and just keep adding water.

Candy biscuit, cherries cooked with a little sugar and cream cheese. Paired with a 10 year aged Taiwan Oolong. Caramel in both tea and biscuit compliment each other in a special way. Fantastic!

Rocky road and a roasted Tie Guan Yin. 7 grams of tea, 110 ml 95 centigrade water. Infusion time 10-5-10-15-20-20 seconds. Enhances caramel tones in both rocky road as the roasted Tie Guan Yin

Dumplings and China Guang Dong Phoenix Dan Cong. 9 grams of tea, 110 ml of 85 centigrade water. Breaks the fatty mouthfeel and enhances umami flavour

China Wuyuan Rou Gui and a traditional fudge. Roasted aroma of the tea pairs great with the fudge. 7 grams of tea and 120 ml 95 centigrade water. 20-20-30-35-40 seconds brew time.

Grilled cheese sandwich paired with Taiwan Oriëntal Beauty / Dong Fang Mei Ren. Not for tea drinkers that don’t like strong cheese flavours or very sweet and fruity teas

Cacao butter from Ecuador, milk chocolate from Madagascar and 90% pure chocolate from Panama. Taiwan Aged Oolong (10 years old) is the winner with all three options. 9 grams of tea on 110 ml of boiling water. 30-45-60-60-70-80 seconds