Wuyi Oolong from Adagio Teas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Adagio Teas

Product Description:

Oolong tea from the WuYi mountains in Fujian province, China. A beautifully made, deeply complex tea. The aroma is very rich and savory, roasted vegetables, minerally and earthy. There’s a deep, ripe fruitness in the background, but faintly. The flavor is slightly honey-floral and nutty, white sesame, sweetened burdock root (fans of Japanese sweets, anyone?), barley. Satisfying and hearty, for a tea. Perfect for multiple infusions so you can tease out many layers of intriguing flavor.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve tried several of the teas in the Artisan Comfort Gourmet Tea Collection, and of the ones that I’ve tried thus far, this one is my least favorite.  That’s not to say this is a bad tea, it isn’t.  But when it comes to Oolong teas, I tend to have high expectations and this one just didn’t meet those expectations.

Yes, it’s a pleasant enough tea with a smooth mouthfeel and a sweet, fruity tone in the background that resembles peaches.  It is a very subtle fruit flavor, though, perhaps it is a bit more subtle than I would like.  It is nutty and sweet.  It is slightly tangy toward the end of the sip, and the aftertaste is sweet.

Overall, it’s a satisfying cup of tea – but there are other Wuyi Oolong teas out there that I’ve enjoyed more.  But that doesn’t mean that you won’t like this one better than those others … so I encourage you to give it a try.

Peach Oolong from Adagio Teas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Adagio Teas

Product Description:

The darker, more oxidized oolongs of Taiwan are known for having very lush, playful flavors. Deeply floral, honey and juicy, it’s not uncommon to have a lovely cup that’s almost like a succulent slice of peach. Why not let the tea play with some actual peaches? Our Peach Oolong is truly an inspired treat. Fragrant and sweet like a perfectly ripe fruit, with a smooth astringency and lingering floral aroma. So very harmonious, indeed. Please, be a peach – try this oolong!

Ingredients: oolong tea, natural peach flavor, apple pieces, marigold flowers, apricots

Taster’s Review:

Pairing peach flavor with dark Taiwanese Oolong tea seems a perfect match.  This tea provides proof – the beautiful peach tones are so well suited for the sweet, earthy Oolong tea in this cup.

The sip starts out with a strong note of peach with a background note that is slightly nutty and earthy.  The peach flavor is sweet and succulent.  About mid-sip, there is a hint of flower to the sip, and the nutty tones have developed as well.  The flavor is smooth and the texture is silky, and there is a pleasant aftertaste that reminds me of honeysuckle.

This tea is available loose leaf as well as part of the Sweet Medley collection.  I received it as part of the gift collection, and I was a little apprehensive about an Oolong in a sachet.  But there appeared to be plenty of room for the leaves to expand and release their flavor.  This would be a really convenient way to travel with Oolong tea!