Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Mountain Rose Herbs
Tea Description:
This handsome tea is worthy of all our esteem and veneration because it comes to us exclusively from stands of protected ancient growth tea plants in the Yunnan province of China, all of which range in age from 500 to 2,700 years old. The most alluring aspect of this tea is the deeply penetrating flavor and aroma that it imparts, which is unlike any other black or green tea on the market. Bold, dark and inviting; this certified organic and fair trade tea is not to be missed. Partially fermented which will appeal to the senses of both the black tea lover and the green tea lover.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Mountain Rose Herbs is one of my favorite places to get large, bulk amounts of herbs and spices because they’re local, they’re organic, and they are dedicated to protecting the environment. All of that, plus their herbs and spices are top-notch! However, I’ve not really tried many of their teas. But I’m really liking what I’m tasting with this tea.
According to the description, it would seem that this is actually an Oolong, although on the Mountain Rose Herb website it can be found amongst the black teas. I wish I would have read the description before I steeped it, as I steeped it like a black tea. The leaves looked like black tea leaves.
Fortunately, I don’t think that the black tea brewing method really harmed the tea. And I should mention that this tastes more like a black tea than an Oolong. It tastes malty, rich, peppery and a little smoky, reminiscent of a Yunnan. There is some bitterness to this cup, but it isn’t an “oops I scorched the Oolong” kind of bitterness, but more of a contrasting flavor to the sweetness at the start of the cup.
As this was grown in the Yunnan province, I guess it should come as no surprise that it is very much like a Yunnan black tea. I do taste some lighter tones to this, as well … off in the background, I taste an almost vegetative note. Light, almost like hay. Sweet and fresh. This offers as compelling a contrast as the aforementioned bitterness. This is fairly astringent, and I find that the astringency builds as I sip … starting out rather subtle but now that I’m more than halfway through my cup, the astringency seems much stronger – it is tangy and slightly drying.
A very fascinating cup, complex and delicious.
“Arrrgh, Hoist the main sails matey.” We are off on a sailing ship in the Caribbean. Pirates abound, treasure hunting, we land on a secluded shore, and notice the varied fruits and flowers on the islands. A thought hits us… let’s combine these tropical fruits with some tea in the hold! As the rum is ignored for the much more exciting and healthy tea blend of freeze dried pear, blackberry, lime leaves, sour sap fruit flavorings, the pirates are calmed and life is good. Let’s sneak off with the new found “treasure”… Arrrgh!