Twilight Talons Loose Leaf Oolong

Twilight Talons Loose Leaf Oolong - Nepal's Dragon Claw Tea

A soulful summer flush from the mountains of Nepal, this bronze, apricot-colored oolong honors the tribal expression "Mio Kulang"—meaning dragon or eagle claws. Grown at an elevation of 7,200 feet above sea level and plucked at the start of the summer flush, Twilight Talons loose leaf oolong tea is a highly oxidized oolong (60%) with a complex character profile.

The dark green leaves are gently bruised through careful rolling and shaping, initiating a transformation that reveals a golden, amber liquor. The first steep delivers rich aromas of nutmeg and apricot jam. As you sit with the tea, notes of brown sugar and walnuts become apparent. Despite its dark leaves, the cup is unexpectedly amber, offering a smooth, warming experience that lingers long after the last sip. This is a tea that commands presence—layered, aromatic, and rooted in the strength of tradition.

Mio Kulang: The Dragon's Claw

"Mio Kulang" is a tribal expression from Nepal that translates to "dragon claws" or "eagle claws"—a poetic reference to the way the tea leaves are shaped during processing. The leaves are carefully twisted and curled, creating a distinctive claw-like appearance that's both beautiful and functional. This shape affects how the tea infuses, allowing for multiple steepings as the leaves slowly unfurl and release their complexity.

The name also evokes the power and majesty of these mythical creatures—dragons and eagles, symbols of strength, wisdom, and freedom. This tea embodies those qualities: bold yet refined, powerful yet graceful, commanding yet approachable.

Brewing Guide: Unlocking the Dragon's Secrets

Water Quality: Use fresh, filtered water. Pure water allows the tea's complex flavors to shine.

Temperature: 200°F (93°C). This high-oxidation oolong can handle hot water, which helps extract its full flavor potential and allows the claw-shaped leaves to unfurl properly.

Ratio: 3 grams (approximately 1.5 teaspoons) per 8 oz (240ml) of water.

Steeping Time: 4 minutes for the first infusion. Watch as the claw-shaped leaves slowly unfurl—it's a mesmerizing process.

Vessel: Use a strainer or infuser that allows the leaves to fully expand. The claw-shaped leaves will unfurl dramatically, often doubling or tripling in size. A glass teapot allows you to watch this beautiful transformation.

Multiple Infusions: Twilight Talons is excellent for 3-4 infusions. With each steeping, the flavor profile changes—you may taste different notes as the leaves continue to open and release their complexity. Increase steeping time by 1 minute with each subsequent infusion.

Serving: Enjoy plain to appreciate the tea's natural complexity, or add a small amount of honey or milk to enhance its warming, comforting character.

Nepal's High-Altitude Tea Gardens

Twilight Talons comes from tea gardens at 7,200 feet above sea level in Nepal's mountainous tea-growing regions. At this elevation, the air is thin, the sunlight is intense, and the temperature fluctuations between day and night are dramatic. These challenging conditions create beneficial stress in the tea plants, concentrating flavor compounds and producing leaves with extraordinary character.

The high elevation also means slower growth, allowing the plants to accumulate more nutrients and develop more complex flavors. The summer flush—when this tea is plucked—produces leaves with more body and depth than the delicate spring flush, resulting in a tea with robust character and warming qualities.

High Oxidation: 60% Transformation

What makes Twilight Talons particularly special is its high oxidation level—60%. Most oolongs are oxidized between 30-50%, but this tea is pushed further, bringing it closer to black tea territory while maintaining oolong's characteristic complexity.

The oxidation process begins when the leaves are gently bruised through careful rolling and shaping. This bruising breaks down cell walls, allowing enzymes to interact with oxygen and transform the tea's chemical composition. The longer the oxidation continues, the darker the leaves become and the more the flavor profile shifts from fresh and floral toward rich and malty.

At 60% oxidation, Twilight Talons occupies a fascinating middle ground—it has the depth and warmth of black tea, but the complexity and nuance of oolong. The result is a tea that's both satisfying and intriguing, comforting yet sophisticated.

Tasting Notes: Nutmeg, Apricot, Brown Sugar, Walnuts

Appearance: Dark green-brown claw-shaped leaves that are tightly curled and twisted. Despite the dark appearance, the leaves reveal their oolong nature when unfurled.

Dry Leaf Aroma: Rich and inviting with notes of dried apricots, warm spices, and toasted nuts.

Liquor Color: Bronze, apricot-colored amber—unexpectedly light given the dark leaves. The color is warm, luminous, and inviting.

Aroma: The brewed tea releases an extraordinary bouquet of nutmeg, apricot jam, brown sugar, and toasted walnuts. The aroma is warm, comforting, and complex.

Flavor: Layered and aromatic with beautiful complexity. The first steep delivers rich aromas of nutmeg and apricot jam—warm spice and sweet fruit dancing together. As you continue sipping, notes of brown sugar and walnuts emerge, adding caramel sweetness and toasted nuttiness. The tea is smooth and warming, with a full body that coats the palate luxuriously. There's no bitterness or harsh astringency—just pure, complex flavor that evolves with each sip.

Finish: Long, warm, and sweet with lingering notes of brown sugar, nutmeg, and toasted nuts. The finish is smooth and satisfying, inviting another cup.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with a smooth, almost creamy texture. The tea has presence and weight without being heavy.

Perfect Pairings: Bold & Spiced

Spicy Curries: Indian, Thai, or Nepali curries—the tea's warm spice notes complement curry spices beautifully.

Lamb: Roasted, grilled, or braised lamb—the tea's robust character stands up to lamb's rich, gamey flavor.

Beef: Steak, beef stew, or braised short ribs—hearty, satisfying pairings.

Smoked Meats: The tea's depth complements smoky, savory flavors.

Apricots and Stone Fruits: Fresh or dried apricots, plums, or peaches—the tea's natural apricot character creates harmonious pairings.

Desserts: Spice cakes, gingerbread, or anything with brown sugar, caramel, or nuts.

Time of Day: Perfect for afternoon or evening. The moderate caffeine content (30-60mg per cup) provides gentle energy without disrupting sleep.

Health & Wellness Benefits

Oolong Antioxidants: Rich in polyphenols and catechins that support overall wellness and combat oxidative stress.

Metabolic Support: Oolong tea has been traditionally associated with metabolic wellness.

L-Theanine: Promotes calm focus and mental clarity, creating a state of relaxed alertness.

Moderate Caffeine: Provides sustained energy without jitters or crashes.

High-Altitude Benefits: Teas grown at high elevations often contain higher concentrations of beneficial compounds.

The Summer Flush: Soulful Character

Twilight Talons is plucked at the start of the summer flush—the second harvest of the year, which occurs during the warmer months. Summer flush teas have more body, depth, and warmth than the delicate spring flush teas. They're less floral and more robust, with richer, more developed flavors.

This "soulful" character makes summer flush oolongs perfect for cooler weather, evening sipping, or pairing with hearty foods. They're teas that warm you from the inside out, teas that invite contemplation and slow enjoyment.

Rooted in Tradition

Twilight Talons represents the best of Nepal's emerging tea culture—a blend of traditional Chinese and Indian tea-making techniques adapted to Nepal's unique terroir. The claw-shaping technique comes from Chinese oolong tradition, while the robust character reflects Indian influence. The result is distinctly Nepali: bold yet refined, traditional yet innovative.

Experience the dragon's claw. Taste the nutmeg, apricot, brown sugar, and walnuts. Discover Twilight Talons—where every cup commands presence and reveals the strength of tradition.