Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Tea Mania
Tea Description:
This Oolong from Doi Mae Salong is a Oolong # 17 Jade Pearls which was flavored with the Osmanthus flower. The sweet, honey-like aroma of Osmanthus flower harmonizes wonderfully with the mild flavor of the Oolong # 17 Jade Pearls. The beautiful fragrance of Osmanthus complements the mild flavor without masking the taste of Oolong. Due to the intense floral aroma and its honey-sweetness, the osmanthus flower is often used in Chinese desserts.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Having previously reviewed Tea Mania’s Oolong #17 Jade Pearls and enjoying that tea, I was pretty confident that I’d love this one – Not only do I like the base of this Oolong Osmanthus Jade Pearls from Tea Mania, but, I also love Osmanthus and the flavor that the flower imparts on Oolong teas.
And I am really enjoying this tea. The Osmanthus notes in this particular tea are a little different from some other Osmanthus Oolong teas that I’ve tasted, in that I taste a little less of the “peach-like” notes of the Osmanthus (although I do taste those notes too), and more of a honey-esque tone that is almost pollen-y, it’s so honey-sweet!
I think that this may be due in part to the dry leaf, which has quite a bit of “powder” from the Osmanthus flower, and it kind of looks like the pollen from the flower. But that’s not a bad thing in this reviewer’s estimation, because I’m enjoying the sweetness from the Osmanthus and how those honey-like tones meld so beautifully with the floral notes. It’s like a flower garden in the early spring … right in my teacup!
But let us not overlook the Jade Pearls – because those are not at all overpowered by the Osmanthus. There is a really delicious balance going on here. It’s sweet, lush, and slightly vegetative. The natural floral notes of the Oolong are enhanced by the Osmanthus flowers. There are some buttery notes to this as well, and I think that Osmanthus helps bring that out too, because I don’t recall as much a buttery flavor in the pure version of the Jade Pearls. The Osmanthus and the Jade Pearls work together in a really harmonious way to create a very pleasing flavor.
My first cup (infusions 1 & 2) was very smooth and buttery, with a strong pollen-y, honey-nectar type flavor that was a pure joy to sip. My second cup (infusions 3 & 4) became a little more focused, the flavors were less “fuzzy” and soft, and while this cup is different from the first, it was no less delicious! I like being able to now taste the notes of peach a little more distinctly, as well as the floral tones which are so beautiful. My third cup (infusions 5 & 6) was a little softer in flavor than the second cup, but still very enjoyable. The tea is a little less creamy and buttery now, and a little more focused on the fruit and floral tones.
This is a really good Osmanthus Oolong. If you are an Oolong enthusiast and haven’t yet tasted the joy of Osmanthus Oolong tea, well, why not? You’re missing out, and this one from Tea Mania is a really good place to start exploring Osmanthus Oolong and how much the Osmanthus flower brings to a cup of tea.
Jasmine Dragon Pearls from Teasenz
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Teasenz
Tea Description:
SUBTLY SWEET, AND SOFT, AIRY MOUTHFEEL: Perfumy hand-rolled jasmine tea made from the most tender tea leaves and best Fujian jasmines. When added to hot water, the pearls majestically unfurl, filling the room with sweet jasmine scent and flavor.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Jasmine pearls! Yay! I was so happy to receive these Jasmine Dragon Pearls from Teasenz. I love jasmine teas, as I’ve professed many times, and Jasmine Pearls are among my favorite jasmine teas. They are not only “top of the line” when it comes to jasmine teas … but it’s a lot of fun to watch them “dance” in the hot water as they steep – they slowly unfurl from a tightly wound ball into a long, elegant and beautifully fragrant tea leaf – all the while, producing a very flavorful cup of tea.
This particular pearl tea from Teasenz is a real treat. It has a very delicate quality to it … something I noticed immediately when I opened the pouch of the tea. The aroma was light and almost … airy. It evoked thoughts of walking through a path lined with jasmine vines on a cool evening as the gentle breezes capture the exotic fragrance of the jasmine flowers and surround me with the essence of beautiful jasmine. So, I’ve never actually done anything like that … but I’ve imagined in on more than one occasion.
And that’s what I think of when I smell the dry leaf of these Jasmine Dragon Pearls. It’s a delicate, ethereal sort of olfactory experience. The brewed tea maintains that sort of subtle aroma, it is soft and has an almost dreamy quality to it. Really beautiful.
The flavor is also quite delicate, especially when sipped as the tea is still quite hot. Allow the tea to cool for a few moments, and the flavor begins to intensify. Not cold, the tea is still hot … but it’s cool enough to sip. For maximum flavor, slurp the sip, aerating the tea a little bit before it touches the palate. Now the flavors of the sweet jasmine can be tasted and the fresh, buttery flavor of the green tea leaves are also experienced in the sip.
This is a really delightful and beautiful jasmine pearl … soothing and relaxing to sip.
Jasmine Pearls Mo Li Hua Green Tea from Yezi Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Yezi Tea
Tea Description:
This exquisite organic green tea is harvested in the city of Fuzhou in the famed Fujian province of China. Mo Li Hua is sold as a mix of carefully oxidized green-tea leaves and fragrant jasmine flowers.
Jasmine is the municipal flower of Fuzhou—and for good reason. The citizens of Fuzhou know that there are fewer sensations more rejuvenating than the fragrance of jasmine flowers wafting through their windows on evenings ideal for quiet contemplation. Now you, too, can enjoy this carefully handcrafted loose-leaf green tea. Be sure to note how, as soon as the Mo Li Hua leaves come into contact with water, they expand into exquisite floral patterns, further accentuating the goodness of the brew.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I love jasmine pearls! And these Jasmine Pearls Mo Li Hua Green Tea from Yezi Tea are some of the finest I’ve tried. The aroma is captivating, and the flavor … amazing. And drinking jasmine teas is always a treat for me … not just because I love jasmine, but it also means that I get to get out my Yixing mug. It’s Jasmine time!
The leaves have been carefully wound into small pellets, and these “pearls” slowly unfurl to release their flavor. It’s fun to watch them do their elegant dance in the hot water, so if you have a glass gaiwan … you should use it to brew this tea!
This is a lovely jasmine tea. The jasmine is not nearly as strong in flavor as the fragrance suggests. It is a highly aromatic tea: both the dry leaf and the brewed tea emit an outstanding bouquet. But the flavor of the jasmine is soft and smooth … not at all perfume-y. It is beautifully exotic and feminine without tasting like a bar of soap from one of those luxury bath stores in the mall.
The green tea is sweet and it has a delicate taste that is a perfect complement to the subtle taste of the jasmine flower. There is no sharpness and very little astringency here. It’s just a pleasure to sip, from start to finish.
Yet another amazing tea from Yezi Tea … I’m really impressed with this company thus far!
Oolong # 17 Jade Pearls First Flush from Tea Mania
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Tea Mania
Tea Description:
Oolong # 17 Jade Pearls First Flush is picked by hand and rolled. It’s well known for its distinctive flavor and fragrance notes: a little bit orchid and a hint of lily of the valley. Oolong # 17 Jade Pearls First Flush is only picked in the winter. The slow growth in the winter helps to develop the complex flavors.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oh … NICE! This is a truly LOVELY Oolong from Tea Mania! The second tea that I’ve tried from this company, This Oolong #17 Jade Pearls First Flush is solidifying my opinion of this company which is – quite simply: they offer great teas!
This Oolong has a lovely floral quality to it – it is both flowery in aroma and in taste. I taste notes of orchid and hints of honey that evoke thoughts of honeysuckle. It’s a very gentle tasting tea … and while some floral tasting Oolong teas can come across as sharp, that’s not the case with this tea. It has a very subtle, soft approach, and it’s smooth from start to finish. Very little astringency.
The texture is also smooth and soft, and it has a delicate broth-y character to it – think of a comforting bowl of chicken broth when you’re feeling under the weather … that’s the kind of texture I get from this tea: soft, warm, comforting.
And because this is a top-quality Oolong, I was able to get a whole lot of infusions out of one measurement of leaves … this is the kind of tea that you want to spend all afternoon with, just allowing the teas to slowly unfurl as you enjoy the soothing liquid they produce. I found that the flavors became stronger with the third and fourth infusions, and then by infusions number five and six, I noticed that the flavors seemed to become more unified and seamless. Every new cup of tea became a new adventure … each cup lovely and delicious … but presenting itself in a new way for my palate to explore it’s complexity.
Really, this is a top-notch tea. If you like floral Oolong teas … this one should be at the top of your MUST TRY list!
Oolong Black Pearls from Tea Mania
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Tea Mania
Tea Description:
This Oolong originates from Doi Mae Salong and is also known as GABA Tea. This because of its high GABA. Oolong Black Pearls is a hand-picked and rolled Oolong # 12 which was oxidized 100%. Therefore, it’s a black tea too. But, the flavor isn’t bitter like some black tea. It’s more floral and honey-like. Quite comparable with a Darjeeling. The preparation is classic Oolong style: Rinse, first a short infusion, second infusion a bit longer, third infusion even longer, etc. Can also be infused cold as ice tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m always excited to try teas from new-to-me companies, like this Oolong Black Pearls tea from Tea Mania. And what a delightful tea this is!
The tightly wound leaves look like a green Oolong (and like the picture above) but, they are much darker in color. I think that perhaps the website has the wrong photo linked for the tea … these leaves are much darker, reminiscent of a rich chocolate color. They are quite fragrant with lovely floral tones.
It is very flavorful … and I agree with the above description. The flavor is quite similar to a Darjeeling, but the body and texture is a bit thicker, more like an Oolong. There is no bitterness whatsoever, it is sweet … sweet like honey!
There are lovely floral notes to the flavor, but they are not as prolific as in a greener Oolong. This has more of a fruity note to it, reminiscent of a ripe, juicy apricot. For those who tend to shy away from the greener Oolong teas because of their strong floral essence, I think that you’ll find this Oolong to be more to your liking … it’s much more like fruit than it is like flower. There are still floral notes there, and I find them to be more pronounced if you slurp the cup to aerate the tea over the palate. I find these floral tones complement the fruit tones and they enhance the sweet honey notes as well.
There are subtle hints of earth to the flavor as well as slight woody notes. It’s really quite complex, with so many delicious layers of flavor to discover. A really wonderful Oolong – I’m so glad I got to try it – and it’s one I’m happy to recommend to all the Oolong enthusiasts out there!