12 Tasting Notes
I stopped the kettle well before boiling this time, and only steeped for two minutes. This tea seems to go bitter very easily, since this infusion is just on the edge.
However, it is DELICIOUS. The fruity aromas are prominent throughout the experience, they do not let up at any point and are well noticeable through to the aftertaste. It is absolutely gorgeous. Best oolong I’ve had so far.
Preparation
I got a sample of this as a special 20th birthday present.
The dry leaves are beautifully twisted and dark. The initial smell is toasty and floral, but if one draws it higher up into the nose it develops a gorgeous tropical fruit scent, most notably of passion fruit, mango, and a touch of peach.
The liquor is a beautiful dark golden colour, almost light rusty brown. It smells much more strongly of passion fruit than the dry leaves, the more I smell it the more I love it. It also has that wonderful toasty warm aroma of dark oolongs which I love.
The first sip is bitter. Crap. The water must have been too hot. (MUST buy that thermometer!!) It still holds on to that passion fruit scent with floral notes lifting it up to another level. It is almost like drinking perfume, there is such strength to all the aromas. Passion fruit holding on all the way to the aftertaste, awesome. Off to brew the second infusion which will hopefully be more successful.
Preparation
I got a sample of this tea as a birthday present from my boyfriend, along with 2oz of White Peach and a sample of Dancong Aria. Pretty small amount of tea, but with the shipping and exchange rate, it cost us fair bit. I have to limit these orders to special occasions, unfortunately.
Anyway, I decided to try the Irish Breakfast first. I like a good blend of Ceylon and Assam very much, they are like parts of a symphony that sound a bit bland or harsh on their own but complement each other perfectly when blended together. This blend is magnificent. It is perfectly balanced, and using just boiling water for three minutes makes it full flavoured with not a hint of bitterness. It coats the palate nicely with no dryness on the tongue afterward. Deep and dark malty molasses from the Assam, bright and cheerful floral notes from the Ceylon. I like to put a bit of light brown sugar in my black tea. This cup was perfect. Delicious!
Preparation
Again, the water temperature is not accurate since I do not have a thermometer.
The dry leaves look good, some stems, but big white leaves. The liquor has a dark colour compared to many whites and has a prominent honeydew melon scent which is absolutely lovely. Just a bit of leafy bits in the bottom of the cup. The tea is sweet and the melon flavour is just right, mild but very noticeable. It has a nice warmth to it and is only slightly dry. It leaves a lemony aftertaste which is nicely surprising! Overall a very pleasing tea.
Preparation
I made a huge mug of this to chase away my mild headache. When brewed correctly, it is nice and sweet with a pleasant taste without being complicated. It’s just a tea cupboard staple for when you want something simple, you know? That’s exactly what I needed now.
Preparation
This brew was just on the edge of being bitter, I really need to buy a thermometer for the water! The smell is wonderful, very sweet. I find the flavour a bit fruity, mostly due to hints of melon. Otherwise it is quite vegetal, with a dry aftertaste.
Preparation
This dry leaves smell sweet and slightly malty, and the liquor is a lemon yellow colour, smells nice and sweet. The flavour is floral and vegetal, and the aftertaste is only slightly dry. This is what I’m getting with my limited palate – need to try more oolongs so I can develop it better.
I’d say the temperature of the water was just right, any hotter and it would have gone bitter. The flavour might have developed a bit more with a longer steeping, I will try 4 mins next time.
Before I made this tea today I felt quite depressed, lazy and had no energy. After I had two cups, I suddenly sprung up and vacuumed the apartment thoroughly! I feel so much better now. Tea has once again proved its magical power.
Preparation
Soooo yummy… this is my special treat for a nice occasion or just to lift my spirits. Very sweet and floral jasmine scent, love watching the balls unfurl in the water, every sense is delighted while making and drinking this. I only have a tiny sample tin in my tea drawer and I’m trying to make it last as long as I can as I can’t really afford this nowadays.