Matthew Hemsath select Send Message

Had to say I was a little surprised by the instructions to steep an oolong with boiling water. Glad I did, though – what a lovely cuppa.

Good amber color to the tea, with a nutty aroma. On drinking it the caramel notes and very faint floral taste did come through. Very drinkable – really the only bad thing about this tea is that as a unique sample you can’t order it. Maybe soon?

PS – A note on the temperature: I did try a resteep at 195° just to see what was up. Floral notes were definitely stronger, but an astringent taste crept in there. Stick with boiling on this one!

Stronger flavor the second infusion. It’s lost some of the toasty flavor from the first steeping, still not getting coconut.

Second go of the steepster select box. Liking this one better than the karigane. Light amber in color with a toasted/nutty aroma. Another light flavor, similarly toasty and nutty.

It is sweet, but not overpowering at all – you have to be looking for it to really notice. I’ve yet to really pick up on the coconut flavor, but this is a first infusion and folks seem to be suggesting it shines in later steepings. I am happy to report that I’m not really finding the coffee note (good, since I hate coffee). One of the first oolong I’ve really enjoyed.

One of my very favorite teas – black with toffee and vanilla. I like mine with a little bit of milk added.

The tea when steeped is a pale green color. The aroma is definitely stronger than the taste, which does meet the “creamy grass” notes described on the package along with some other vegetative aroma I couldn’t identify (and wasn’t a huge fan of).

Drinkable for sure, and light, but not my favorite.

Admittedly not the most refined tea, and the flavors involved are overwhelming, but that’s why I like it. The aroma from the cup is fragrant and puts you in a holiday mood. Taste is very strongly of black licorice.