Another thing I found at the Bulk bin in Whole Foods…
I wasn’t sure how the magnolia gets in here, if it’s natural or what. hmmm. Does anyone have a guess?
These are long and slender dark leaves. I was really expecting something like a wuyi tea when I brewed this up but instead I got a light yellow infusion that is full of wonderful flavors. The magnolia is very nice here, it provides an exquisite aroma without knocking you over in flowers. The tea itself is very light and creamy with a slight apricot flavor. When I first smelled it I thought “pastries baking”. This is pretty intoxicating stuff, it feels like an elegant luxury… yummm. I am definitely a fan!
Infused 3x at 180 F for about 3 minutes.
I have kind of a hit or miss relationship with floral teas. If they’re too sweet or too perfumey I don’t like them as much. This one strikes a nice balance.
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I believe the magnolia aroma and flavor in a good Dancong Phoenix Oolong like this comes from the tea bush, the care taken in processing and the season in which the leaves are picked. I have read that a single tea bush can produce three or four aroma types of Oolong depending on these factors!
The “pastries baking” aroma comes from the light roast that the leaves get during processing. For me, this is one of the reason I love roasted Oolongs. It makes your mouth water just to inhale the aroma! :)
yes – I wasn’t sure if the magnolia was added afterwards but it is delicious! I am quite a fan of roasted oolongs myself.
I believe it is naturally scented—all of the Yu Lan teas I’m aware of are. Here’s another Yu Lan, but it looks totally different:
http://uptontea.com/shopcart/item.asp?itemID=ZM65&from=search.asp
Looks like it is more floral to me.
I believe the magnolia aroma and flavor in a good Dancong Phoenix Oolong like this comes from the tea bush, the care taken in processing and the season in which the leaves are picked. I have read that a single tea bush can produce three or four aroma types of Oolong depending on these factors!
The “pastries baking” aroma comes from the light roast that the leaves get during processing. For me, this is one of the reason I love roasted Oolongs. It makes your mouth water just to inhale the aroma! :)
yes – I wasn’t sure if the magnolia was added afterwards but it is delicious! I am quite a fan of roasted oolongs myself.
I believe it is naturally scented—all of the Yu Lan teas I’m aware of are. Here’s another Yu Lan, but it looks totally different:
http://uptontea.com/shopcart/item.asp?itemID=ZM65&from=search.asp
Looks like it is more floral to me.