Mountain Tea

Trying this for the first time, sample stolen from the TTB a while back. No tasting note today because school is absolutely killing me at the moment. But if I don’t write this down I’ll probably forget I tried it. >.<
If you’re reading this, I hope stuff is going better for you than me…

This is a surprise. My only comparison, or so I thought, turned out not to be apt. The only other leafhopper-bitten tea I’ve had is Eco-Cha’s Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Concubine, which is more of a classic high mountain, creamy, floral oolong. This is very different – almost like a delicate, comforting, smooth black tea. Like a muted, dialed-back Yunnan maybe. I had to double check the package to confirm it is in fact a high mountain, Taiwanese, leafhopper-bitten oolong. I was initially disappointed in the flavor, except…ever find a tea that is somehow satisfying out of proportion to its flavor? This tea feels good to drink. I’ll definitely finish and greatly enjoy this.

Tea #35 from Considering a new TTB
Dark oolongs aren’t normally among my favorites, but this tea caught me by surprise. Instead of being deep and roasted, it was rather lightly flavored and reminded me somewhat of apples and honey, with only a subtle roasted flavor noticeable in the background. It’s such an interesting tea, I’m glad I decided to be a bit of a glutton and make a whole pot of it. What I don’t finish off tonight, I’ll be able to drink iced tomorrow. This seems like it would make an excellent iced tea.

This tea will not be continuing on, I finished off the last of it.

Tea #31 from Considering a new TTB
This is another company that I’ve been meaning to place an order with, Dr Jim introduced me to them in another TTB I was a part of last year and I fell in love with several of their teas. This is one I haven’t had a chance to try yet and ended up being exactly what I was looking for this morning. I’ve been craving something sweet and this has a sweetness to it that tastes almost like peaches. I may consider ordering some of this in the future, I really enjoyed it.

This is a real “cover-all-the-bases” black/dark oolong, being slightly fruity, malty, sweet, floral, as well as roasted. A great choice for those who like a bit of everything, but not for those who look for prominent flavours.

First infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz water, 90 deg., 2:00 min.

Second infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 3:00 min.

Third infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 5:00 min.

Fourth infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 10:00+ min.

This was a Christmas present from my husband which was initially chosen for it’s name as my middle name is Jade. It finally has a beautiful flower caddy now so I can open and try this Oolong after two months of waiting.

I will be following these instructions for my tea:

Water : 3oz / 85ml – 194℉ / 90℃
Use 7 Grams Tea
8 steeps : rinse,25s,25s,30s,40s,60s,90s,120s,180s
Gaiwan
Rinsing time is around 5 seconds

The Oolong balls are a mixture of medium and dark greens which have an average size of roughly 4mm.
Closer sniff-spection reveals a sweet (like honey), mineral, grass/straw like scent.

A picture of the balls:
http://tinypic.com/r/24pw6f5/8

First steep – 25 seconds
Subtle, honeyed, flowers and perfumed. Makes me think of rain pouring onto the leaves of a honeysuckle flower.

Second Steep – 25 seconds
Not as sweet as the previous steep but it is just as gentle. Also getting a creaminess coming through.

Third Steep – 30 seconds
Increasing in flavour but still remaining soft in thickness. The peach is really coming through nicely, sweet yet crisp. Also still very creamy.

Fourth Steep – 40 seconds
Very floral, sweet and creamy. Like honey suckle and peach but mild versions of each. Some dryness and perfume in the after taste.

Fifth Steep – 60 seconds
Much stronger now, peach is still shining through as is the honey suckle. A very nice strength now.

Sixth Steep – 90 Seconds
Remains creamy and silken. Peach is toned down but sweet flowers still very much present.

Seventh Steep – 120 seconds
Still a lot of flavour and no harshness though some mineral vegetal flavours coming through like sweetcorn mixed with fresh spinach.

Eigth Steep – 180 seconds
Lighter now and the sweetcorn has taken over the peach. Still floral and sweet with high creamy notes.

Overall –
It’s a nice Oolong that is sweet and floral whilst being light yet creamy (for the most part). Nice elements of peach and sweetcorn are found throughout and a hint of perfume in the after taste.

I prefer stronger Oolongs that are more mineral and green but this was very nice, the balance was superb and I think it would be great iced. So while it may not be one of my usual favourites I’m still thankful I bought 2oz of this.

This was the first oolong I bought online. I got it because it was on sale for $7. i was surprised about the quality of this light and refreshing oolong. It smells like sweet corn and has crisp feeling that reminds me of that feeling when I bite into a fresh white peach.

I’m writing this review though it will most likely be short thanks to this bitch of a migraine that has been with me all day. I’ve only just began to think properly and the pain is minimal, still I am trying my best to write this review effectively.

The loose Oolong balls are small in size and have a dry, floral and light mineral scent.

My first steep is delicate with a sweet yet dry floral flavour pretty much matching it’s raw scent. There are also essences of mineral, butter, honeysuckle and grass.

Personally it’s a little too delicate for my usual Oolong mood, I will have to try it again when my mind is clearer but so far I am not impressed with this tea. Rating as top end of average for now.

Here’s Hoping Teabox – Round Seven- Tea #35
Before posting this tasting note, I saw a tasting note from me from years ago. Turns out I already tried a sample of this before! It looks like it was delicious then too. This batch is delicious too. Very sweet and fruity with a hint of creaminess. The steeps just keep getting better. Better than this tasting note! But I like seeing the consistency in a tea, as I last tried this four years ago.

Thank you Nicole! I wanted a nice oolong tonight. It was time for the brew basket for this one! The dry leaves are so bright green and lovely – it had to taste just as nice. I really had no idea how long or what temp to steep this one at. I really wish companies did a better job of mentioning that (like on their websites).. I don’t really want to ruin their nice teas!

Steep #1 // waited a while after boiling // 2 or 2.5 min
The steep color is a light buttery yellow. The dry leaf and the steeped tea fragrance smells like something very sweet and fruity – pineapple? But the flavor is like a lighter milk oolong. Creamy and sweet. I wasn’t expecting that, as this isn’t actually called milk oolong.

Steep #2 // waited a while // 3 min
Over steeped! I was going for 2-2.5 min. It still tastes fine, but there is a tanginess that wouldn’t be there if I didn’t go for three minutes. There is less butter this time around and more pineapple with a hint of lemon. Interesting.. I’ve never noticed lemon in an oolong before. The little bright green bundles have turned into unraveled tiny branches.

An exceptional ever-changing oolong!

The size of some of the Oolong balls are amazing! They vary from roughly 2mm to 4.5mm in length and some resemble thick, knobbly sticks rather than balls. In colour they are a blend of medium and dark green with a little brown tinge in places, they shine and glimmer beautifully under light. They have a sweet and gentle floral scent with a creamy undertone.

I can taste sweet flowers and fresh grass in the first few sips. As it starts to cool slightly the creamy element is becoming stronger and the grass is a little thicker than before. I say creamy but it could also be described as buttery, either way it’s delicate.

Another cup reveals a slight toasted quality with enhanced floral highlights, very much like sweet peony but keeping it’s grassy thickness.

This Oolong is simply divine in terms of quality and flavour. Mountain Tea Co are among my favourite Oolong sellers and with a tea like this it’s no wonder why.

Flavours of honey and flowers pervade all infusions, with the former more prominent initially and the latter to the fore subsequently. The final infusion (regardless of the length) produces an infusion of sweetness with no floral overtones.

First infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz water, 90 deg., 2:30 min.

Second infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 5:00 min.

Third infusion – 3 g. per 6 oz. water, 90 deg., 7:00 min.

I received a very generous sample of this from Nicole. Thank you!

I am in oolong heaven. I brewed this to drink with lunch and lunch is now shoved aside so I can focus on this tea. This is handsdown the best oolong I’ve ever tasted. It hits all the points I love in oolongs, and surpasses all other oolongs I’ve had so far.

It is smooth, buttery, and rich. Lightly floral, and almost syrupy in taste at the same time. I cannot wait to see how this tastes in further steeps. This is so so delicious.

Tea #31 from Traveling Tea Box C

I love an excuse to get out my gaiwan and spend an hour or so getting tea drunk. The only problem is I don’t typically have a couple hours just laying around to do that.

So, I saved this one until I had some time. And seeing as I don’t have to be anywhere for another two or three hours, here we go!

1st Steeping — 0:30
Mostly a veggie flavor, with slight floral notes and hints of butter.

2nd Steeping — 0:50
Getting creamier. The floral notes are starting to open and becoming almost sweet.

3rd Steeping — 1:30
Oooh. There’s the creamy, sweet milkiness this promised. Becoming very floral, with a quality that tastes green, but not vegetal. There’s a very slight nuttiness, as well.

4th Steeping — 2:30
Remains creamy, but the floral begins to fade. Nutty flavors begin to dominate.

5th Steeping — 5:00
The creaminess is hardly present at all on this one. It’s nutty and vegetal again. Still ever so slightly floral.

I could probably get another steep off of these leaves, but I think it started losing it’s luster after the third steep, so I’ll probably refrain.

Final verdict: I enjoyed this milk oolong, and I’m very glad I had the chance to try it, but there are just others out there I like more.

This is the last tea I’m trying from the box, so that should be moving again tomorrow!

Another sample by Dr Jim (thanks!)

When I brewed this I immediately thought of asparagus! My husband said it smelled like brussels sprouts. Good thing I enjoy both of those.

A light colored oolong with a nice, delicate taste. The second steep was just as good as the first. A pretty good oolong in my book. Not the best I’ve had, but I enjoyed it!

SIPDOWN! I needed a tea i knew would be super delicious this morning to kick off my day after the green teas i had. I picked this one as there was just enough for another cup. I will be restocking this in future to have as a great black to rotate through my cupboard. thanks nicole!

thank you nicole for sending this one my way! I enjoyed this a lot this morning – it was just the thing to get me going after a rough night of the crazies waking me up several times. I have another cup that i’ll spend more time with tomorrow since i didn’t get a chance to really focus on it before i had drunk it all up!