Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Butiki Teas
Tea Description:
This light delicate tea pairs our premium Wen Shan Bao Zhong with a light pineapple flavor. The buttery and orchid notes of the oolong as well as its light body marry well with the pineapple flavor for a well-balanced soft tea. Without sugar this oolong has a wonderful light natural flavor but add a little brown crystal sugar for a stronger yet still natural pineapple flavor.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I found this tea very difficult to brew. You see, the dry leaf of this tea smelled so AMAZING that I didn’t want to put it into my teapot to start the brewing process! The pineapple aroma was so deliciously tropical, and I could smell the floral tones from the Wen Shan Bao Zhong, and these two notes together were so beautifully fragrant that it was positively mesmerizing.
Finally, I managed to break the enchantment that this aromatic tea held over me and allowed the tea to brew. Normally, I brew Oolong teas in my gaiwan, but with flavored Oolong teas I usually make an exception and steep it in my Breville One-Touch instead, which is what I did. 175°F for 3 1/2 minutes.
The aroma of the brewed tea is almost as incredible as that of the dry leaf. The scent has softened somewhat, but I still smell this unbelievable fragrance of floral notes from the Oolong and juicy pineapple. This scent should be bottled!
The flavor is just as delicious as the fragrance. The overall cup presents itself in a very soft, supple way – it is very luxurious to sip. The flavor is sweet and juicy and pineapple-y, with delightful floral notes that weave their way in and out throughout the sip. The texture is smooth and silky. As the tea cools, I notice that the flavors become almost creamy, like a pineapple smoothie in tea form. It’s very refreshing and rejuvenating.
One of the nicest pineapple flavored teas I’ve tasted in quite some time!
I can see the pineapple aroma blending well with Bao Zhong. But given how pricey good bao zhong tends to be, I can’t see really wanting to blend it, when I enjoy it so much on its own!