Nonpareil Anxi Qing Yiang Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea by Teavivre . . . . .

I steeped about half the sample packet (or a little over half) in about 10 ounces of water at 212 degrees for about 6 minutes.

It smells indisputably delicious as it starts to brew. Buttery, creamy, smooth, and rich. Also a tiny bit seaweedy/vegetal/grassy, but that’s subsumed by the butteriness.

The packet says to brew 4-10 minutes, which means it’s probably great for resteeping since you only need to steep it about 5-6 minutes in my experience (and with a little less water it would be less). So if you’re in the mood to re-steep, this might be a good choice for you. (As opposed to when you’re on the road or something and resteeping isn’t convenient.)

I started out using a tea ball to contain the leaves, but after a couple of minutes it became clear that wasn’t going to work out because they were just expanding too much so I let them out. Next time I’d just put them directly in the water or use a brew basket. That way I’d be able to watch them unroll too, which is always fun.

After steeping, I ended up with a nice light yellowish-green liquid (hard to say the exact shade though because I was using a green mug). It smells the tiniest bit flowery in addition to the buttery flavor.

The combo of green and creamy flavors reminds me a bit of matcha actually, although it’s gentler here and less vegetal in flavor. This is a very well-rounded flavor profile, with the bright, floral, and creamy notes complementing each other in a balanced and enjoyable fashion. Each sip is amazing. The floral bit catches your nose as you go to take a sip; the creaminess is there the whole time, and you taste the green/vegetal bit during the sip, and afterwards there’s even a slightly sweet aftertaste. And I don’t even prefer unroasted oolongs as a rule, so I’m extremely impressed with this tea and how much I enjoyed it! Teavivre has done an amazing job with this one as usual!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Oolong
Where to Buy:  Teavivre
Description

This tea is no longer available but click below for teas that are available.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

VariaTea Enjoys a Caramel Oolong. . . . .

Nine times out of ten I will pass on an oolong. I just don’t love it as a tea base. However, that one out of ten is usually awesome. Some of my personal favorites are A Quarter to Tea’s On Wisconsin, DAVIDsTEA’s Vanilla Orchid, Lupicia’s Melon Oolong, and this one.

When oolong teas are done right, they are just so very right and this is no exception.

The base is floral but velvety which blends nicely with the silky caramel flavor that dominates this tea. The saltiness works as a flavor booster, highlighting the creamy sweetness of the caramel.

Moreover, there’s a smooth butteryness that ties this tea together like the bow on a delightful little present. Yum!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy:  Dammann Freres
Description

This oolong tea’s naturally velvety notes blend with the sweet-salty flavours of caramel. Enjoy a deliciously gourmet cup of this beautifully balanced blend of green and candy notes.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Orchid Oolong from Art of Tea. . . .

Spring is just around the corner. At least in my neck of the woods it is. It seems like everybody is tired of lugging around the winter coats and heavy sweaters and are ready for the change of seasons.  Even I’m ready to open up some windows and let the fresh air in.

With the coming of the seasons, also comes (for some of us) a change in our tea drinking habits. I’ve noticed that I’ve been craving more bright spring like teas with a floral touch lately.  So the other day I prepped up my kettle and checked out Orchid Oolong from Art of Tea.

Orchid Oolong has been a tea that I’ve had my eye on for a bit so I was quite ecstatic when this tea arrived with our other Art of Tea samples.  With fresh pops of floral notes coming from my Wall Tea InfuserI knew I was in for a treat. 

First sip into this tea and I couldn’t resist just gulping the rest of the tea down and devouring several infusions.  A rich smooth silky texture, buttery rich touches, and a gorgeous floral finish.  . . This tea couldn’t get any smoother, richer, or more alluring.   This oolong yielded such a beautiful flavor that you can instantly see where this tea gets the name Orchid Oolong. . and rightfully so.  Everything about this tea was simply breathtaking and so giving.

Orchid Oolong is a luxurious treat but at such a reasonable price.  Highly recommend and one I’m going to have to add to my tea cabinet.  The fact that this tea is also offered in pyramid tea bags makes this tea even more attractive to me.  90% of the time, I drink loose leaf but with having to get everybody to school and work. . .it just isn’t in the cards.  Knowing that I have this beauty at my fingertips. . . .that is an investment I’m going to be making.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Oolong
Where to Buy:  Art of Tea
Description

Our Orchid Oolong tea is grown in the hilltops of Nantou, Taiwan. Often covered in cool mist and surrounded by crisp streams, the leaves are hand-picked and basket-tossed in a process known as oxidization. They are then rolled into kernels that wait to unfold in your teapot. The resulting tea has a unique lilac flavor that is full and smooth, with a fresh orchid finish. It can be steeped multiple times (each time unlocking a different taste), and is also available in our Eco Pyramid Teabags

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!