Osmanthus is one of my favorite florals and makes an excellent spring tea. If you’re not expecting it and are accustomed to mild florals, it’s little overwhelming. Osmanthus is really sweet and usually doesn’t need any kind of sweetener! (Some milder variants go well with honey but this one, in particular, is on the sweeter side.) Stick to the 3-minute steep time—it doesn’t need anymore. If it’s too sweet, you might enjoy a second steep.
The first steep is very sweet, fruity, and almost overpoweringly floral. It’s not as tangy as Ceylon normally is, so you’re left with this smooth, mild sweetness reminiscent of apricots. It also kind of reminds me of honeysuckle, but slightly less of a woody flavor.
The second steep is a little better and has a more rounded flavor. You get a bit more of the tangy flavor typical of Ceylon, slightly bitter, with hints of apricot and a light floral taste. It’s definitely one of those teas I would share with a friend who has a sweet tooth. Pour the first cup for them and hold the second for yourself!
I like this one in moderation. It was a bit too sweet for me to enjoy in any frequency, but the second steep definitely won me over. I’d recommend this to anyone who is a fan of sweet and floral teas.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Zesta Tea
Description
Native to Asia, Osmanthus flowers are famous in China for their flavour and scent. This tea combines handpicked flowers with fine Chinese black tea to brew a cup which is fragrant yet pleasantly light with a slightly fruity taste.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Ruhunu Ceylon/Zesta Tea. . . .
I would like to preface this review with the following fun fact – I am a sucker for any ceylon tea.
This tea is part of the Ceylon region pack from zesta tea and features Ceylon from the Ruhunu region which is a low grown region in the south of Sri Lanka. This tea was a loose leaf and required me to utilize one of my tea sacs rather than a stainless steeper as the leaves were so fine.
This was a batch of pure Ceylon meaning that there was no added flavors or herbs to compete with the flavor of the tea. This was a beautifully smooth brew and was one of the best ceylons I’ve ever had. Interestingly I was only able to get one brew out of a batch, but I still think that the tea is worth the cost even at one brew per serving.
Zesta sells this tea as part of their Ceylon region pack, and I would be willing to pay pack price for just this single box. For black tea drinkers, this Ceylon region pack needs to be in your upcoming purchase. This would also make a great gift for tea enthusiasts to test their palate for the subtle differences that growing regions have on a tea – wine drinkers do it all the time, we can too!
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Zesta Tea
Description
Experience and appreciate the unique taste of premium regional teas, as this regional pack has Ceylon tea from all five tea growing regions – Uva, Ruhunu, Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Kandy. Ceylon tea became famous for its unique taste variety that differs across the regions and elevations which are reflected in these teas.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Black Tea Infused with Osmanthus Flowers from Zesta Ceylon Tea. . . .
This is my first ever tea from the Zesta Connoisseur Collection, and based on this one I can’t wait to try more.
I am a fan of floral flavor, BUT (and this is a BIG BUT which I why I made the word BUT so big) only when it tastes natural and not like soap or chemicals. My first ever jasmine flavored black tea tasted like pure bubble bath, and disgusted me to the point that I was afraid to try any more jasmine for a long time. Now I love jasmine tea. So let’s see how this osmanthus goes…
I am using the sachets of this orthodox production flower infused tea, although it is also available loose. The leaves are small and twisted, and definitely not CTC. It calls for a very short steep time, which I respected and followed all directions to a T. Or to a “tea”, if you will. (Groan! I’m sorry. I will stop now.)
And…I am really enjoying this. The Ceylon base is nice and light, not one of the puckery strong ones, and there is no question that I am tasting LOTS AND LOTS of osmanthus. And for some reason, it is making me think of Parma Violets, which I also really enjoy.
I am on my third cup and high-fiving myself for choosing this one as my last tea before bed, because it is soooo relaxing. This would also be an excellent soothing tea for an afternoon when you need a little pampering. I am wrapped in my little osmanthus scented cocoon and off to have sweet dreams…
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Zesta Ceylon Tea
Description
Native to East Asia, Osmanthus flowers are famous in China for their distinct flavour and scent. This tea combines selectively handpicked Osmanthus flowers with fine Chinese black tea to brew a cup which is fragrant yet pleasantly light with a fruity taste. Just the tea to help you relax at any time of day.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Plantation Fresh Uva Tea from Zesta
The crisp aroma of these maroon, CTC BOP leaves transports you with their smell of brambles dried in an arid forest.
Zesta aims for this tea collection, which includes this Uva, to provide an authentic Ceylon journey, well, mission accomplished! Turns out, this selection is from Sri Lanka’s 4th largest grower.
Zesta recommends brewing with boiling water, which produces a rich mahogany brew.
I also made a cup at my usual 175F, which had more of a ruby color to it. I didn’t detect any major differences in taste between the two temps. Though I know its pure tea, I taste lots of refreshing red apple and somehow a sweet, fresh-cut grass in there.
Sweetener also made a negligible difference in taste. Pairs deliciously with all kinds of milk!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Loose Black Tea
Where to Buy: Zesta
Description:
The perfect gift for the tea devotee, the enchanting pine wood gift box has premium black teas from all five tea growing regions in Sri Lanka – Dimbula, Ruhuna, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Uva. Ceylon tea became famous for its unique taste variety that differs across the regions and elevations which are reflected in these teas.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Connoisseur Jasmine Green Tea from Zesta Ceylon Tea. . . . .
I LOVE jasmine green teas when they are done well. Some are not. A lot of jasmine tea is actually pouchong and can have a bit more bite than I care for. Lots of people like those teas, especially with food. But since jasmine tea is my special “take me away” tea, it has to be just so.
The instructions on this one scared me. Boiling water? For green tea? In a teabag? Are you kidding me? I know a few types of green tea thrive on it, but I was afraid this was going to be the train to heartburn city.
I dialed it back to 200F and let it steep right in the middle of the recommended one to two minutes.
Wow. I expected a harsh green base, lots of astringency, and artificial jasmine flavor, but this is infused with real jasmine flowers and it is GOOD. As in, actual tasty jasmine tea with all its calming capabilities in a teabag!
The jasmine is natural and sweet tasting, the tea has minimal briskness that does build a little now that I am on my second cup, and there is a creamy texture to the liquor. The Chinese green base starts to come through more on the aftertaste.
I think this would be a great, affordable tea to serve with food, and now I want spring rolls. Really, really badly. I guess I know what I am having for supper tomorrow night.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Zesta Tea
Description
This delicately fragrant green tea adds a touch of beauty to your day with its imprint of natural Jasmine petals. Zesta’s Jasmine green tea is an exotic tea that can be enjoyed any time of day and is great as an accompaniment to food.
