Four Seasons

Mmmmm! Thank-you QuiltGuppy for this one!

I have finally had some and it is SO TASTY! I have only sat down with it once, but once is enough to fall in love.

Next time I will pay more attention to details and write it down somewhere so that I can give people a better idea of my experience.

This is a delicius and complex green oolong. It is a little less heavy and less syrupy than many TGY, but still similar to TGY. I found notes of butter, cinnamon, green beans, milk, bread(!) and, of course, a strong floral component as the oolong unfolded. This one is nice and complex. However, it falls a little short in the mouthfeel for an oolong that has those creamy/buttery notes. I liken it to the difference between the mouthfeel of whole milk and 2% milk with this one offering the mouthfeel of 2%. The other thing to note is that this one does require a nice amount of leaf in order to produce the optimal cup. That said the leaves are beyond beautiful.

I did wait a bit before I gave this one a try. It’s just as good as everyone claims it is, and you can resteep it at least 3 times without losing anything. If you like oolong, this is something you should try! I don’t think it will become a staple because I’m such a huge fan of flavored teas, but this is really, really good.

I followed the brewing instructions on samovar’s site (I love how Jesse makes brewing instructional videos). Boiling water, first flush use as a rinse. Then all subsequent infusions with 10-14oz of boiling water for 1min. This oolong favours the more green-side, than black – which is what I prefer. Does not come out as grassy, but a nice sweet oolong with faint smoky vegetal notes. Similar to Hawaiian oolong(more likely Hawaiian is similar to this), I experience an tantalizing sensation on the tip of my tongue in the first couple steeps(something I only experience on the first steep with Hawaiian). It eventually evolves into a mellow apricot, but as “advertised”, “goes the distance” at 10-15 steeps. So far my average is 13.

Now the negatives. This tea is rather expensive when compared on a grams/oz scale – sometimes twice the price. The saving grace however, is the amount of steeps you can get out of it – essentially 2-3x the average of most oolongs. Logically that would balance it out in the end, justifying it as a reasonable priced tea? Well, yes and no. If you “go the distance”, then yes. However it is also a large commitment to use it – basically make it a group tea, or save the leaves for the next day, or prepare to go to the bathroom frequently ;). I personally, like to break it up through-out the day. True the flavour evolves, so your not necessarily experiencing the same flavour you started with, but variety is nice to have too.

Personally, I’m very conflicted. I want to make this my “every day” tea. It has all the things I love in certain oolongs, and none of the negatives, with the exception that its a commitment, or its expense if you give up half-way. Definitely one of my favourite oolongs though.

I had this for the first time two days ago. It was the first tea I’d had in days, and also the first that I had after my 26 hour journey from my home in Australia to my friend’s place in the United States, so it was really, REALLY welcome. I love the silky smooth almost creamy texture and sweet floral notes that you get with a really good Taiwan oolong, and this is a great example. My friend is not a big fan of oolong teas in general, but she loved this one. I think I’ve converted her. ;-)

The brewed leaf is huge so leave room. First steeping savory and vegetal with a slight bitter aftertaste. Second steeping even more bitter. I think I’m over steeping.

And this is why I like oolong.
Thanks Meghann!!!!!

Prepared with my Samovar oolong pot, multi-steeps. Lovely aroma throughout, buttery, bakey, creamy flavors—all as advertised. Delicious, calming, mellow, soothing, fragrant, the adjectives keep coming with each steep.

Ok, I got a sample of this after reading some of the reviews. All cups were at just below a boil.
My first cup (2 minutes) really does smell buttery and so amazing.
Prior to pouring, the leaf gave off a sent that reminded me a bit of spinach. Not what I was expecting this post pour scent though is amazing and I have no idea where it came from.
Very smooth texture. I didn’t even know tea could have a texture…
The taste on this first one is lighter then expected. There is a veggie like after taste.
As I drink, I note the beginning of the sip does have a butter quality but not intense. It is followed with a flowery taste.
This is a very soothing, soft cup, especially compared with what I normally drink.
I held the tea in my mouth for a few seconds and when I swallowed there was another flavor, though I can’t name it.

Cup 2: (3 minutes) Similar scent. It’s still flowery but not in the same why other teas I’ve had are. The leaves are really quite pretty. It is refreshing to be drinking something so clearly natural.

Cup 3: (4 minutes) I agree with previous posters that this cup does have a greener taste. Still good though. The scent is still buttery with a hint of flower. This may be a good tea for hosting. It seems very friendly and makes so many cups that it will keep the party going.

Cup 4: (5 minutes) The scent of this cup is much weaker then the previous cups. There is still something soothing about it though. I’ll admit too that I did put a bit too much water in the pot this time. I’m using a pot designed for two cups so I’m guessing each time. Definitely a greener taste here. The buttery is clearly disappearing. There is an end note that I can’t describe exactly but it’s starchy. I would love to be sitting out in a beautiful garden while drinking this. Stupid city.

Cup 5: (6 minutes) I’m getting the steamed green bean element now being mixed with the same underlying “green” taste that has been there from the beginning. The butter is pretty much gone in both smell and taste. The taste and smell are a bit mellower then the previous cup.

Cup 6: (7 minutes) This will be my last. The flavor is dimming and honestly, I’m getting a bit tired of tea. I’ve never had this much straight through before. And as for tea’s effect in weight lose, it might be that now, so close to dinner, I’m full from the tea. So, this time, I’m getting a little of what people were calling the bread taste. It’s pretty weak though. I love bread so I’d love to be able to get this flavor stronger. Otherwise, this tea is now starting to remind me more of green tea.

Well, this is the longest tea journey I’ve had. Will I buy a larger volume in the future? Probably, although not right now. This is also my first Oolong tea so I’m going to want to try some others as well to make sure I find the right one for me.

Earthy and rustic. Gunpowder type tea that tastes much better in small infusions. Great warm or cold steeped overnight.