Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Life in Teacup
Product Description:
Traditional charcoal roast with Tie Guan Yin and Mao Xie.
Taster’s Review:
I adore Oolong teas, and this Tie Guan Yin is superb!
The leaves are dark, a result of charcoal roasting. The roasting has imparted a delicious toasty flavor to the natural nutty tones of the Oolong. The buttery flavor that is often a part of Oolong has become more of a caramel sweetness. It’s almost like a dessert in a teacup!
The sip starts with with an introduction of the sweet yet savory roasted nut flavor which soon gives way to a hint of flower (almost honeysuckle-esque). The caramel notes sit in the background, never becoming too prominent or overwhelming. The mouthfeel here is light, much lighter than a very green Oolong would be, and not nearly as creamy. A whisper of smoke weaves its way throughout the sip and remains through the aftertaste.
Overall the tea is bittersweet with the emphasis on sweet rather than on bitter. There is a moderate amount of cleansing astringency at the finish. In subsequent infusions, I noticed that the smoky flavor came through a little more – but it was never an overpowering presence.
It’s absolutely delicious and a must try for Oolong enthusiasts.
I love all the teas that I’ve tried thus far from Life in Teacup. I love their philosophy too, which can be read on their homepage:
“We believe tea is a luxury of time, and not necessarily a luxury of money.”
I agree. While some teas can be extraordinarily expensive, I like it when I find a company that offers delicious, high quality teas at an affordable price, such as Life in Teacup!
