Photo from Wikipedia

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Lupicia

Tea Description:

Taiwanese oolong tea flavored with sweet pineapples and coconuts.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Warm, sandy beach with the waves rolling in.  Palm trees shading me from the sun, as I lie in a hammock, just soaking in the wonderful tropical atmosphere.  Yep.  This is the life!

Even though it’s cold and winter-y outside, this tea has taken me on a tropical getaway!  The pineapple flavor is juicy and sweet, but with a distinct tart finish – just like I’d experience if I were eating a piece of fresh pineapple.  There are hints of coconut to this too which are more like a creamy, sweet background note than a strong essence of coconut.

Together, the flavors of coconut and pineapple create a sensational flavor combination that screams:  tropical paradise!  So delicious!

The Oolong tea makes a delightful base for these two flavors.  The Oolong has a natural creaminess to it that accentuates the creamy tones of the coconut so well, and the lush sweetness of the Oolong highlights the tangy sweet flavor of the pineapple.

This is a delicious tropical treat … almost like a smoothie in a teacup.  All that’s missing is a paper umbrella … and the hammock.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  thepuriTea

Tea Description:

Dan Cong Oolong is, perhaps, our best tea. It is handcrafted from the leaves of the famous Dan Cong tea bushes of Phoenix Mountain in Guangdong, China, and then well oxidized and roasted for a remarkably rich, nuanced aroma and flavor. Its dark, wiry leaves are highly aromatic. Open a package and you’ll immediately smell apricots, peaches and bittersweet cocoa powder. The clear, pale-golden brew has lively aromas of apricots, nectarine, firewood, dark chocolate, and toasted walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts. Its flavor is fantastically sweet and complex, with notes of fruit, honey, natural osmanthus flowers, wood and minerals. The aftertaste is phenomenally full, and it changes with each re-infusion of Dan Cong Oolong.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

My favorite Oolong tea is Ali Shan, but, I think that this one may narrow in to be a close second.  The flavor is outstanding!

The leaves have been deeply oxidized as evidenced by their dark color.  The dry leaf is wiry and long, and possesses an aroma with deep fruit, flower and earthy notes.

The flavor is intense.  I have spoken with a few people on-line who have mentioned that they do not like Oolong because the flavor is so light, to these people, I say, try Dan Cong!  This is not a delicate brew; it is so flavorful and complex.

The first thing I notice is a piquant fruit note that tastes of apricots and peaches.  I taste the osmanthus flower, and its natural peach-like tones further accentuate the fruit tones of the tea.  There is a lovely sweetness to this that reminds me of wildflower honey.

I can also taste the firewood as mentioned in the description with hints of smokiness, and a distinct sharpness that arrives mid-sip that evoked thoughts of firewood before I even having read the description.

I don’t know that I taste the individual nutty flavors that are mentioned in the description, but there is a nuttiness to the flavor profile.  Toasty and delicious!  I also taste hints of cocoa within the brew, but, not a strong sense of dark chocolate.  More like a hint of cocoa intermingling with the toasted nut flavor.

One seriously fabulous Oolong.  I highly recommend this to any tea drinker.

***Now through the end of February, you can receive $5 off your order with thepuriTea.  Just enter in the code:  lulu  in the coupon field during check out to receive your discount!  Savings + Great Tea = AWESOME!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Norbu Tea

Tea Description:

This is our “Diamond Grade” Fall Harvest 2011 Tie Guan Yin from Anxi County’s Gande Town.  Upon opening the package, the intense floral aroma of this tea is almost overwhelming.  The dry leaves are dark green and are fairly tightly rolled into the characteristic ball shape of Anxi Oolong.  

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I do love a good Oolong, and while Ali Shan tends to be my favorite, Tie Guan Yin Oolong teas are right up there.  I love their floral notes and that sweet, buttery flavor.

And this is one mighty fine Tie Guan Yin!

As the above description suggests, the floral aroma is incredibly powerful.  The floral fragrance translates to the brewed tea – and it completes the experience to deeply inhale the scent of the tea prior to taking a sip.  It smells so good that I found myself smelling the cup for hints of that beautiful bouquet after the tea had been consumed!

Deliciously floral, I taste the sweet notes of honeysuckle and orchid, but without that sharp tone that sometimes accompanies a floral note.  The texture is silky and smooth, reminiscent of melted butter.  There is also a buttery flavor to the tea, which further accentuates the texture, giving this an almost buttered-popcorn kind of taste.

There are hints of vegetal tones to this tea as well, they start out very subtle and as I continue to sip I find these flavors develop.  With subsequent infusions (I managed six full-flavored infusions from one measurement of leaves, and with the seventh and eighth infusions, the flavor was lighter, but still very delightful) I noticed that the floral tones began to really emerge, and the flavors become even smoother.  My favorite infusions were the third and fourth – the combination of these two infusions made for a very rich, flavorful, broth-y kind of tea with gorgeous floral high notes.

Since my first encounters with Norbu Tea several years ago, I have come to associate this company with nothing but the very best in Oolong teas.  If you’re an Oolong enthusiast, you really should be shopping with Norbu!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black, Oolong & Green Teas

Where to Buy:  McNulty’s Tea & Coffee

Tea Description:

Our Special Mixed Tea is a blend of Formosa Oolong, Japanese Sencha, and China Black. This formula has been with the store since the 1940′s.

Taster’s Review:

When I first received this tea, I was a bit unsure about its contents.  The tea looked black, but it smelled a bit like Oolong and green tea.  So, I wrote to McNulty’s to find out more about this blend, which is categorized on their website as only a black tea blend, hoping to gain a little more insight about this tasty tea.  They wrote back promptly, and the above description is their response.

This is indeed a tasty blend.  The black tea tastes a bit lighter than a typical China black tea, and I suspect that has a lot to do with the fact that it was sharing the brewing space with an Oolong and Sencha.

I taste a toasty flavor to this – nutty – which could be from the Sencha, or it could be from the Oolong.  There is some earthiness to the cup as well as some light fruit tones.  Light peachy tones, and hints of flower.

Overall, a very pleasant tea.  I brewed this before knowing what teas were inside, and again, I brewed it thinking it was a black blend.  So I used boiling water for 2 1/2 minutes in my Breville.  However, the high temperature did not seem to scorch the Sencha, as I did not taste a hint of bitterness nor an indication of scorching.  Just delicious tea with a pleasant sweetness all its own; no need to sweeten!  This is really quite delightful!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Shanti Tea

Tea Description:

From the famous Biodynamic & Fair Trade Idulgashinna Tea Garden come these visually captivating spears of Cinnamon, gold, and silver tips, resembling the mythical unicorn’s horn. This hand crafted tea is carefully hand-rolled and twisted into spears. Each finished cluster is slightly more than 1 inch in length. These partially fermented leaves produce a delicate, pale liquor that is exceptionally sweet and clean, with champagne undertones. The tea can be steeped multiple times, each revealing new complexities.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This is definitely one of the most unique Oolong teas that I’ve ever encountered.  After reading the description of the tea, I thought that maybe it was a black tea, but as Shanti Tea has categorized it as an Oolong, that’s what I’ll call it.  Taste-wise, it has qualities to it that are reminiscent of both types of tea.

I steeped this in my gaiwan, adding an extra horn (the steeping parameters suggest 3 horns) to my gaiwan, and using short steeps starting with 1 minute, and adding 30 seconds to each subsequent infusion. I combine the results of two infusions into my cup; therefore, infusions one and two are cup number one, infusions three and four are cup number two, and so on.

The first two infusions were light in flavor, at first, I had a difficult time discerning much of anything and I worried that I may have made a mistake while brewing, and that maybe I should have followed the instructions to the letter.  However, as I took the next couple of sips, the flavors began to reveal themselves.  By the time I was nearly finished with my first cup, I could taste a pleasant sweetness, some earthy tones, and a lovely spiced undertone.  There were indeed “champagne-like” flavors to the cup, imparting a slight fruity sweetness to enjoy in the aftertaste.

After infusions number three and four to make my second cup, the leaves no longer resemble the lovely horns that they were prior to infusion, but they haven’t yet completely unfurled, indicating that they were ready and able to produce more infusions.  The second cup is more flavorful than the first, with some earthy tones emerging.  The aforementioned spiced tone is still present, but, it is smoother than in the first cup.  A bit more of a fruit taste with this cup, as well as more astringency.  I find this cup to be more rustic-tasting; offering flavors that are more like a black tea to me than an Oolong.

With the third cup, I noticed more of a floral note emerging.  This cup tastes much more like an Oolong than the second cup.  The fruit flavors are much more distinct.  A sweet, smooth flavor, and very few of the spiced undertones I mentioned earlier.  The earthy tones have also mellowed.  This one is less astringent than the second cup, and definitely my favorite of the three.

This is a really intriguing, unique tea.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Arbor Teas

Tea Description:

Ti Kuan Yin is the most famous of all organic Oolong Teas.  This Fair Trade Certified organic Chinese tea is grown in the southern reaches of China’s Fujian Province.  The tightly-rolled dark green organic loose leaf tea yields a pale golden, smooth-bodied infusion with a complex aroma having accents of sweet flowers, rich greens and forest floor. 

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

It’s been a while since I’ve last tried the delicious Ti Kuan Yin that Arbor Tea offers, and I’ve missed it!  I brewed this Ti Kuan Yin in my gaiwan using short steeps.  By brewing it using this method, I managed six very flavorful infusions, each new infusion seemed to taste even lovelier than the one prior!

The body is incredibly smooth and rich, with a thick mouthfeel that is soft and luxurious.  The flavor is sweet with a floral overtone and a hint of vegetation in the distance.

There is an undertone of earthiness to this Ti Kuan Yin which evoke thoughts of the mossy earth that carpets the forests of the Pacific Northwest. The sweetness to this cup is reminiscent of honeysuckles.

I love that this tea is organic and Fair Trade Certified, which is true of all the teas sold by Arbor Teas.  Overall, I find this to be an excellent Oolong; a lovely, contemplative brew!  I highly recommend it!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Teavivre

Tea Description:

Tie Guan Yin tea is a type of Oolong tea, and is – deservedly – one of the most revered and sought after type tea in China.  Sometimes also written as Ti Kuan Yin or Iron Goddess Oolong Tea.  Apart from its amazing taste, this tea also has great health benefits, being high in amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This is an outstanding Tie Guan Yin.

This brews to a beautiful chartreuse color.  If I recall correctly, other Tie Guan Yin teas that I’ve experienced were more yellow than green, but this one has a distinct greenish hue to it.  It’s really quite lovely.  The aroma is floral and sweet, eluding to what the taste has in store.

And yes, it is indeed floral and sweet.  It has a delectable buttery overtone to it with hints of vegetation, giving it a taste that is somewhat like lightly buttered, steamed vegetables.  The floral notes taste sweet and exotic.

And the more you steep these leaves, the better the tea becomes.  While the combination of the first and second infusions were light and refreshing, the flavor intensified significantly with the cup that held my third and fourth infusion.  More buttery tones, very rich and even had a slickness to the mouthfeel.  Quite delightful.  The fifth and sixth infusion proved to be equally as delicious.

I have been extraordinarily impressed with Teavivre’s taste and quality.  They are dedicated to providing the very best teas, and this Tie Guan Yin is a perfect example of that excellence.  This company is a MUST TRY for all tea lovers!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Old Wilmington Tea Co.

Tea Description:

Ancient Polynesians used passion fruit as a tasty part of their rituals. We have made it easy to have a tasty ritual of your own! Passion fruit is artistically blended with premium Chinese oolong. It offers a mellow character, with hints of natural sweetness.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Yummy!

This is a really good flavored Oolong.  The passion fruit flavor is distinct, but it does not overpower the flavor of the Oolong.  These two flavors mesh very well together.

The Oolong is a greener Oolong, and it has that sweet, creamy taste and texture to it.  Almost buttery but not quite.  That creaminess marries very nicely with the flavor of the passion fruit.

The result is a soft, silky tea that is sweet with a tropical fruit flair to it.  A little different from the usual Oolong, but, that’s what I’m liking about it:  it has that familiar Oolong flavor but with just enough passion fruit flavor and sweetness to make it just a little bit unusual.

As it is winter and I prefer my teas served hot in this weather, that’s how I enjoyed this tea, but I suspect it would make a really fantastic iced tea as well, so I think I shall save the rest that I have for the warmer weather that will be here soon (time does fly!)  It is also pleasantly sweet (some might find it a bit too sweet, but I’ve a sweet tooth!) so it doesn’t need additions.  Great just the way it is!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Tea Chai Té

Tea Description:

GREAT NEWS! This tea was a 1st Place Winner – Oregon’s First State Tea Competition – Sept. 2, 2011

Called a Taiwanese milk oolong, our Velvet Oolong has a wonderful aroma that is rich and buttery with subtle floral notes. Light and smooth brew.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This is a lovely milk Oolong, so creamy and rich!

When I first opened the pouch, before reading anything about this tea, I knew it was a milk Oolong.  It has that lovely, buttery scent to the dry leaf.  I was excited when I realized it was a milk Oolong as I do enjoy them, and I don’t drink them often enough … at least, not often enough for my liking!

The flavor is sublime.  It is sweet and even just a little tangy, tasting a bit like fresh cream with a drop or two of buttermilk added to it.  It even has a thick, creamy texture (although it is certainly not as thick as fresh cream!)

The taste also presents hints of flower in the distance … orchid, maybe?  Perhaps even a whisper of honeysuckle.  With the subsequent infusions, I noticed that the cream and buttermilk combination became smoother and mellower while the floral tones emerged.  It is still sweet and creamy, but I notice more distinct floral notes now.

A very interesting and complex cup of tea.  I can see why this tea won the Oregon State Tea Competition in 2011.  It is certainly worthy.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Butiki Teas

Tea Description:

Peach oolong has a sweet floral peach aroma that evokes images of warm summer days. This high altitude Taiwanese tea starts off with a light floral flavor that quickly develops into a natural white peach flavor that lingers. Peach Oolong is a refreshing smooth bodied tea that works well iced or hot. Add some brown crystal sugar for a sweet dessert-like treat or drink plain for a more natural flavor. Our Peach Oolong is good for multiple infusions.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

While I prefer unadulterated Oolong teas, there are many flavored Oolongs that are quite delicious.  This is an excellent example, as the natural peach tones of the Oolong tea marry very well with the peach essence to create an incredible flavor – one that reminds me of those summer days when I was young.  My gramma had a peach tree in her back yard (she had quite a few fruit trees, this was one of the best things about living in California!) and we could go out there and pick a ripe peach right off the tree.  Sipping this tea brings those fond memories to life, so much so that I can almost feel the peach juice running down my arm!

But even though the peach flavor is strong here, it isn’t overpowering the flavor of the Oolong tea which is lush, floral and sweet, with a buttery taste and a hint of vegetative flavor.

I enjoyed this hot, but it would make a stunning iced tea as well.  I found that a small amount of agave nectar highlighted the peach tones.  By adding a small amount of brown sugar instead of the agave nectar, the flavor becomes very dessert-like, like a fresh peach cobbler!  I have to admit, that is quite yummy.  But I still think I prefer it without any sweetener at all, because this way I’m able to not only enjoy the peach flavor but the flavor of the Oolong, which I think is overwhelmed slightly by the addition of the sweetener.

I would highly recommend this to those looking for a peach flavored tea – one that has a strong, true peach flavor.  This one nails it!