Glendale Nilgiri Oolong by The Tea Shelf

I wanted something calming to drink tonight and this sample intrigued me. An Indian oolong? I have had black tea from India and green tea from India, but I don’t recall ever having an Indian oolong, and I believe this may even be my first Nilgiri. Well, I’m game! Let’s try it!

The dry leaves have such a soothing aroma. At first I thought it was a floral scent, but the more I inhaled the more I thought of sweet pastries in a glass case releasing their scent when you open the case to take one out, like a breath of sugar and vanilla and spice. I would be all over a candle that smelled like this. I would burn it all the time and fill my house with this scent.

The tea is fairly light in color, about what I expect from a oolong tea. First impression – a light, wet oolong/green flavor that is followed by a bloom of the honey and golden raisin notes, with a dry and lightly spicy follow up that lingers and makes you reach for the cup to sip again.

I really enjoyed trying this! It reminds me of a whisper of Golden Monkey melded with a spicy green tea. Fun!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  The Tea Shelf

logo (6)Description:

A specialty tea, these curly chocolate leaves have inherited a rich and spicy aroma. The soft and delicate flavors of cinnamon and honey roll through your palate, giving you the much needed boost for when you’re under the weather.

Learn more about this tea and tea company here!

DMS Dong Ding Oolong Tea From Siam Tea

Hello Tea Friends, 

I got a sample pack of Dong Ding Oolong to try from my last order with Siam Tea and today is the day to try it. Think of it as a random cupboard sample that has been chosen for the potential of greatness.

Opening the packet reveals large brown leaf balls complete with stem that appear whole. They truly are an impressive size! Also though dark they have a nice glossy shine. On sniff-spection I can smell toasted wood with soft, dry smoke.

Steeping Parameters: 5g Leaf, 320ml vessel, 85C water temperature, 3 minute steep.

The resulting tea is golden in colour with a toasted malt scent.

The first few sips reveal a soft sweetness amidst a sour, toasted wood note that lightens to an almost malt finish in the after taste. There is also a slight dryness. The sweetness carries on half way down the cup with a floral quality and lightness. I close my eyes and imagine I’m drinking flowers that were wood roasted. The sourness remains consistent which leaves a mature, sour wood note to dance on my tongue.

This Oolong was very easy to drink and tasted pure, a very nice example of a lightly toasted Oolong. Even at the end of the cup I could taste each flavour individually with just as much character as the first sip. This would make a nice everyday Oolong.

Until next time,

Happy Steeping!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Siam Tea

download (3)Description:

 DMS Dong Ding Blue Pearls Oolong Tea from Doi Mae Salong, north Thailand,rolled, handpicked. Strongly reminiscent of Chinese Wuyi rock Oolong teas, in particular Da Hong Pao Oolong tea.

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here.

Nepal Oolong from Simpson & Vail

nepaloolong_medTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail

Tea Description:

Located 6000 feet above sea level, in the misty hills of Pashupatinagar, Ilam, is this family owned Organic (EU) and ISO certified garden. The teas grown here are of some of the most interesting and spectacular teas that will tempt your taste buds into new levels of enjoyment. This garden is the first one in Nepal to use the technology, machinery and expertise available from Japan. The Aarubotay tea bushes are a combination of Japanese, Chinese and clonal varieties that produce the best of Nepalese teas. Try some today and, from the first smell of the dry leaf to the taste of the brewed tea, you will be convinced that this family has achieved success!

An enchanting Oolong experience! The dark brown, twisted, tippy leaves brew into a pale amber cup with mild, mellow, well-balanced flavors and delicate peach/apricot undertones. (Note: This crop was picked earlier in the year and is lighter tasting than the 2014 Oolong.)

Learn more about this tea here. 

Taster’s Review:

I am a huge fan of Simpson & Vail. Their teas are delicious, fresh, and always ones that you can rely on.   I had never tried any oolongs from them so I was excited to check out their oolong offerings.

This oolong was nothing less than exceptional. I brewed this up with fresh water at about 190 degrees or so for about 4 minutes. I sat and watched the gorgeous leaves swirl around in my steeper. I couldn’t wait to for the tea to finish brewing. The dry leaf had such a nice and refreshing note about them with a slight touch of being roasted.

And that is exactly what this tea tasted like! A slightly vegetal amazingly light and refreshing slightly roasted oolong. So many gorgeous flavors in each and every sip.  There was a stonefruit sweetness that I could pick up here and there, but it wasn’t a solid note throughout the tea. So well balanced and such a great tea to keep you company all day. I’m on my third infusion and am devouring this tea like crazy.

Such a great tea from such a great company. If you haven’t checked out Simpson & Vail, I would encourage you too. They are wonderful to shop with. I just love a tea company that provides amazing teas and amazing customer service!

 

Wu Yi Oolong from Simple Loose Leaf

simplelooseleafTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy: Simple Loose Leaf

Tea Description:

Wu Yi Oolong is from China’s Fujian province and is known for its light sweet cup with a fragrant orchid finish.  When steeped, the mature semi-fermented leaves expand to a full lively cup with more body than a green tea but less body than a black tea

Learn more about their month subscription box here.

Taster’s Review:

I am a newbie when it comes to some oolongs.  I’ve had a few here and there but I have mainly spent my time with either flavored oolongs or really any other tea.  Straight oolongs I’ve had on occasion but I seem to not pick them up as often as I would a green or black tea.  No real reason.  I have been wanting to educate myself on oolongs for some time.  So when my last box from Simple Loose Leaf arrived, I was happy to see this in the box. I was so excited I grabbed my new bottle from Simply Good Tea and promptly poured the contents of the package into the bottle.  Put the bottle in the fridge and twenty minutes later I took my first sip.

Oh mama.  That is the good stuff.  I can’t believe that I haven’t dug more into oolongs. This tea was heaven to my taste buds.  I literally have been drinking this tea for 24 hours and I think I have finally exhausted the leaves.  I loved watching them dance around in the water while they produced a beautiful cold brewed oolong tea for me to enjoy.

This tea was bright and crisp. I could pick up different aspects that reminded me of black teas and green teas both.  The first infusion, I really picked up more of a dark roasted black tea quality.  Towards the end, I was greeted with a nice bright silky like almost green tea flavor.  There was a sweetness and well rounded note throughout the entire time I spent with this beauty.  The dry leaves themselves had a nice roasted like fragrance.

Love it.  Love it.  Love it.  For more first experience with this type of oolong, I’m very pleased.  This was fantastic.  I’m excited now to dive into more oolongs and really take some time with them.  Great job Simple Loose Leaf.