Comparing 2013 Spring, Rougui(肉 桂)

Known for it’s rich mineral favour and distinctive sweet aroma and aftertaste, Rougui(肉 桂) is a Wuyi Oolong tea loosely translated as Chinese cinnamon.Often, gongfu style brewing is preferred and can do up to 7 steepings

Above is Jkteashop’s competition grade Rougui and on the right Pek Sin Choon’s signature golden pack Royal graded Rougui.

I first tried Rougui when i started my tea journey at Pek Sin Choon. For the unknown Pek Sin Choon is one of if not oldest tea merchants in Singapore since 1925. Their current boss is 4th Generation Kenry Peh whom is a really friendly boss with no airs. There tea are buy no means cheap with me grabbeing 50grams of 2014 Spring harvest Rougui for a whooping S$69.80 which, I shall review it on a later date. 

Today’s comparison is between Pek Sin Choon’s 2013 Spring Rougui against the much raved about Jkteashop competition grade Rougui 2013. Both tea belongs to my friend Tei.

REVIEW

Teas Compared:

- Jkteashop’s 2013 competition graded zhengyan Rougui  S$36 (50 grams)
- Pek Sin Choon’s 2013 Royal graded Rougui  S$69.80 (50 grams)

Water source: Hyflux Filtered Tap
Water Temperature: 95-100deg
Both rinsed prior to first steep

Both teas exhibit strong, thick and really of excellent quality but they both have very distinct different mineral taste. Aroma is a whole different topic but in short, both smelled natural with a unique freshness fragrance.

JKteashop: The first slip gives you a strong mineral experience. It taste metallic Iron(Fe). This is followed by a flower scent sweetness lingering after taste. All these gets much more distinctive from 3-6th brew as the leaves starts to settle down. 

Pek Sin Choon: The first slip will wow you with a distinct rocky mineral taste. i cannot quite put it down in words. But it’s awesome!  This is followed by fruity type cinnamon aftertaste. Best brew was from 3-7 brew. at 6-7 brew the taste and difference gets more distinct with the cinnamon aftertaste together with the fruity notes we often get.

CONCLUSION
Both are very much on par with the smoothness texture in-mouth feel. I would say Pek Sin Choon Rougui’s rocky mineral taste more distinct and pleasant as compared to the metallic iron taste of JKteashop. 

Nevertheless, it’s important to note the price difference between both teas. At 50grams, Pek Sin Choon’s cost almost double that of JKteashop. Sometimes you just have to pay for the extra for that extra kick.