I had to go to work early today, so I decided I needed a little afternoon pick-me-up. I’d bought Long Life Oolong on a whim to help a friend get to $50 (free shipping! we’re cheap!), plus, I’m a huge fan of its ingredients (oolong! nuts! fruits!).
This tea is… I daresay… a peach! It has peaches and apricots, which are like 99% of the experience.
I can taste the oolong a tiny bit (sort of a light flavor, verging on the black end of the oolong spectrum), but it’s in the background.
I’m not sure I can taste the almond slices or orange peel, but they’re not touted as major features. I might have also gotten a spoonful that didn’t happen to have those ingredients. Sometimes teas taste different cup-to-cup, which is sort of confusing and frustrating, especially for a reviewer who’s trying to give an honest overview.
I enjoyed this tea hot, but there’s a little sticker on the site’s image that says “try me iced!” I bet this would be a really great iced tea summer pick. Or, I guess, hot-day-in-fall pick. Or anytime-at-all pick if you live in the South. I prefer my tea iced when it’s hot out, but what does one do when it’s ALWAYS hot out? (When) do Southerners enjoy warm tea? They must, right? If you’re from the South, speak up on your hot-vs-cold preferences.
This blend tastes a bit like Happy Kombucha , also a David’s Tea oolong with fruit. I think if you have one, you might not need the other, but if you have neither, this could definitely fill a hole in your heart. Or stomach. Or any part, really. It’s yummy.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: DAVIDsTea
Description
A hydrating peach oolong with sweet apricots and crunchy almond slices.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Alishan JinXuan Oolong Tea from Fong Mong Tea. . . . .
Descriptions for tea plantations are like works of art, describing misty cloud-covered mountains where finicky plants flourish. The words evoke vintage Chinese brush paintings where ascending mountains disappear into mist shrouds.
This tea has a delicate flavor, a little bit vegetal, a little bit flowery, a little bit creamy. Soft and gentle. If you want a kick-you-in-the-face morning brew, this isn’t it. But if you want a gentle sunny-day accompaniment (now THERE’s a hard word to spell) this could be your new go-to.
Why might that be? Let’s read:
“Jin-Xuan is a special variety of Camellia Sinesis (tea plant) developed through research at Taiwan Tea Agricultural Research Center. This special variety is known for producing an Oolong with a special fragrance and a very light creaminess.”
I love the idea of scientists in lab coats fiddling around with tea. I know they fiddle around with, for example, Doritos, but the idea of them getting all science-y about that perfect sip is a delight. We, as humans, are going to conquer nature, dammit. Including tea.
You did a lovely job with this, Taiwanese tea nerds. “Lovely” is, I think, the most accurate term for this tea. It is a pleasant little delight, and I am keeping this sample.
I don’t keep all samples. I typically pass them along to friends or my Sisters.
But not this one. It’s mine until sipdown. All mine.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Fong Mong Tea
Description
The hand-plucked leaves of Alishan Jin Xuan Oolong Tea are grown in the famous Ali Mountains (Alishan) in Taiwan. At the elevation of 1000 meters above, the mountainsides are covered with fog or clouds which are ideal for growing Oolong. With better drought tolerance, also higher yield, the price is usually lower than Alishan Oolong. Jin-Xuan is a special variety of Camellia Sinesis (tea plant) developed through research at Taiwan Tea Agricultural Research Center. This special variety is known for producing an Oolong with a special fragrance and a very light creaminess. Alishan Jin Xuan Oolong brings one of the great locations for growing Oolong tea together with one of the special Oolong varieties.
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!
