River's Form

River's Form is a "AAA" Tie Guan Yin (Imperial Grade) oolong tea. It is the highest standard grade of traditional Anxi oolong characterized by its high aromatic intensity and hand-processed quality.

Flavor Profile & Characteristics

• Taste: It features a complex blend of buttery, floral (orchid), and vegetal notes. Spring harvests often lean toward a "spinachy" and buttery profile, while autumn harvests typically offer a thicker, sweeter, and more intensely floral experience.
• Aroma: Known for a penetrating and natural orchid fragrance. Early infusions may also exhibit a creamy or milky aroma.
• Mouthfeel: The tea provides a thick, smooth, and sometimes "pudding-like" texture with a lingering sweet aftertaste in the throat.
• Liquor Color: A bright, clear emerald green.

Production & Quality

• Harvesting: The leaves are picked during a very narrow two-day window in the spring and autumn to ensure peak quality.
• Processing: It is hand-processed in small batches and uses the Tuō suān method, which involves a longer withering time to produce a more profound fermentation and a thicker, more expansive taste.
• Appearance: The dry leaves are uniformly small, tightly hand-rolled "emerald green nuggets".

Brewing Recommendations

• Method: Best enjoyed using the Gongfu style to reveal new layers of flavor across multiple infusions.
• Temperature: Use water between 185°F (85°C) and 205°F (95°C).
• Infusions: This high grade is extremely "infusable," often maintaining its flavor for 8 to 10+ steeps.