Gui Hua ‘Osmanthus’ Oolong from The Tao of Tea

by liberteas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  The Tao of Tea

Product Description:

Native Name: Gui Hua Oolong

Origin: Hunan, China

Introduction: Gui Hua (pronounced “gway hwah”) is the Chinese name for the fragrant osmanthus flower, which blossoms in the Phoenix Mountain area during tea season and is used in scenting this oolong.

Osmanthus Scenting
In the final stages of processing, the leaves are baked with fresh osmanthus blossoms “heat-infusing” the tea with the flower’s fragrant essential oils.

Flavor Profile: A light, bright, sweet flavor and a fruity, floral aroma with hints of apples and apricots.

Ingredients: Oolong Tea Leaves.
Taster’s Review:

Having tried only a few Osmanthus Oolong teas in the past but enjoying them immensely, I was very excited to try this one from The Tao of Tea.  The Tao of Tea has quickly become one of my favorite tea companies, and this tea is a perfect illustration of why that is so.  Quite simply:  this tea tastes amazing!

The aroma of the dry leaf is lightly floral, and that delicate scent remains in the brewed product.  It is a treat to inhale deeply before taking a sip to enjoy the lovely fragrance.

The flavor is sweet and has beautiful fruit notes.  Yes, I can taste the apple and the apricot as described by The Tao of Tea.  The melding of these two fruit essences creates a sweet, delicious flavor that is absolutely mesmerizing.  My taste buds are experiencing nirvana!  Yes, it really is that good.

Osmanthus Blossoms
There are light floral notes – this is not as floral tasting as you might think given that it is a flower scented Oolong tea.   There are pleasing notes of flower in the background, but, mostly what I taste are the fruit notes, sweetness, and a bit of buttery taste (ever so slight).  The mouthfeel is sumptuously soft and enhances the overall experience of this tea.

I think that this is a MUST TRY for all tea enthusiasts.  If you like Oolong, yes, you must try it.  Even if you aren’t crazy about Oolong teas, try it anyway.  It’s so good, it may just change your mind about Oolong!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Oolong

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