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Anna drank Strawberry Oolong by Butiki Teas

303 tasting notes

I decided to have this long-ignored oolong that I remember enjoying last time around. Smelling it makes it clear there has been a pretty considerable loss in terms of scent – what remains is a vague sweetness that is pleasant enough, but that doesn’t have anything to do with strawberry to my nose.

The same goes for the brewed tea – there is no, or in any case very little left of the delicate strawberyness and floral deliciousness I remember from last time. I think this might be the fatal flaw of flavoured artisanal blends, at least when it comes to my own situation. These teas are made to be consumed quite fresh, and not left to linger in the cupboard. Furthermore, and as I have previously pointed out, Butiki’s flavourings and my palate are not generally well-matched.

Another thing I have also stressed in the past, however, is Stacy’s superior selection of base teas. This cup is still very pleasant – as opposed to one of those bulk-produced, industrial German blends that has been lying around for a while and lost its flavour, this is a delight to drink.

So again I will conclude that Butiki’s unflavoured teas are something I very much look forward to trying – they will probably be far more in sync with both my palate and my tea lifestyle.

ETA: Or wait, is this even flavoured? Now I’m confused!

ETA2: Also please appreciate how masterfully I use the term ‘tea lifestyle’ instead of just typing I HAVE A LOT OF TEA AND DON’T DRINK IT FOR A LONG TIME AND SOMETIMES IT GETS OLD OKAY.

Preparation

180 °F / 82 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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5 comments

OMGsrsly
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Yes, it’s flavoured and also has some lavender flowers in. I have 1 tsp of it left, and am loathe to drink it all because it’s an oolong I quite like.

Anna
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Yes, but it has to be tasty forever.

Sigh.

OMGsrsly
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Tasty-strawberry, or just tasty?

Anna
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Smelling of Thai floral wreaths tasty.

Sigh.

OMGsrsly
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LOL.

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Comments

OMGsrsly
Delete

Yes, it’s flavoured and also has some lavender flowers in. I have 1 tsp of it left, and am loathe to drink it all because it’s an oolong I quite like.

Anna
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Yes, but it has to be tasty forever.

Sigh.

OMGsrsly
Delete

Tasty-strawberry, or just tasty?

Anna
Delete

Smelling of Thai floral wreaths tasty.

Sigh.

OMGsrsly
Delete

LOL.

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Bio

I’m going to try all the teas.

Then I will choose a lucky few perfect specimens, and we will live happily together in my tea cupboard.

Forever.

* *

2015

This will be a year of in-betweenness and logistics. Where to put the teas. How to arrange the teas. Which teas to replenish – which ones to say goodbye to.

Still doing Project Green.
Still doing Project Jasmine.
Still doing Project Peach.

Dr. Tea is the name, I’m ahead of my game
still, steeping my leafs, still f*ck with the temps
still not loving Assam (uh-huh)
still rock my Bosch kettle with its high-pitched shriek
still got love for the greens, repping Lupicia
still the cup steams, still doing my thang
since I left, ain’t too much changed, still

(With apologies to Mr. Young.)

2014

This year, all bets are off. I am going to drink both peppermint and chamomile and possibly suffer a little. But it’s okay – it’s for science.

I’m doing Project Jasmine, Project Peach and Project Unflavoured Green.

In terms of flavoured teas, Lupicia and Mariage Frères have become my massive favourites, and I have learned that Dammann Frères/Fauchon/Hédiard and Butiki aren’t really for me.

The O Dor, Adagio and Comptoir des thés et des épices are all on this year’s I’d like to get to know you better list.

2013

Getting back into tea drinking last fall, I was all about rooibos. This past spring has been all green tea, all the time, with some white additions over the summer. Currently attempting a slow, autumnal graduation to black teas. Oolongs are always appropriate.

The constant for me, flavour wise, is the strong presence of fruity and floral notes. Vanilla is lush, as long as it’s not artificial. Peach, berries, mango. Cornflower, rose, lavender.

No peppermint.

No chamomile.

No cinnamon.

Ever.

* *

My ratings don’t reflect the ‘What does this tea do for me?’ standard, but rather my own ‘What would I do for this tea?’ scale.

100-90
My absolute favourites. Teas I would travel for – or, in any case, pay exuberant postage for, because they simply have to be in my cupboard. Generally multi-faceted teas with complex scents and flavours. Teas with personality. Tricky teas.

89-80
Teas I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again if and when I came across them. Tea purchases I would surreptitiously weave into a travel itinerary (Oh! A Lupicia store! Here?! My word!).

79-70
Teas I enjoyed, but don’t necessarily need to make any kind of effort to buy again.

69-0
Varying degrees of disinterest and contempt.