Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Drink T
Tea Description:
Jade Oolong is grown in the mountainous areas of Taiwan. It is produced from large, single leaves and lightly oxidized. Then It is gently rolled and rubbed with cotton to slightly bruise the leaves. When fired, this process helps the tea develop its unique, complex character. Each successive infusion results in a different taste experience.
Our Jade Oolong has a fresh smooth body and lingering floral sweetness. A true delight to be savored and a staff favorite.
Bring water to just under boil (185-195)
Steep Time: 3 – 4 Minutes
Number of Infusions: 2 – 3
Sweetener: Optional
Cream: No
Caffeine: Moderate
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a nice clean clear tasting oolong. Its a bit basic without a ton of complexity but its good. I feel like it is predictable but sometimes that is just fine, such as when with company, or serving with a meal.
This is a good oolong to have on hand and would make an excellent starter oolong.
Now I am not stating it has no depth whatsoever, there is a nice floral note to it, and just the right astringency to get your attention. The floral note is of jasmine which is predictable but thats okay.
There is a mild sweetness in the cup and it re-steeps very well.
This tea is also quite forgiving! I had spaced out one of my steeps for a good amount of time, I estimated 15 minutes and I was ready to get a kick in the taste buds, however there was only a little bitterness and a tad more astringency. The cup was still very drinkable. So that is a huge plus for me since I space off steeps often.
I really do love the leaves. They are so tightly rolled then just poof up to make whole leaves that are just stunning in a clear teapot, a gaiwan, or your strainer. My husband caught me eating one of the leaves tonight as I was writing this review. Sometimes I just can’t help myself, I think it may be the first time he has seen me do this. They are just so full and inviting, I keep playing with them wondering what sort of art I can do with them.
Regardless – the tea itself is delicious, it may not be the tea I sit down and read a good book with, or even do a lengthy gongfu session with but it is a reliable steadfast tea I can count on to always be enjoyable and easy. This is one that you should have in your stash for those days unexpected company comes over and your focus needs to be on them, not your tea, but you want to serve an impressive cup.
Organic Black Andean from Drink T
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Drink T
Product Description:
In the high slopes of the Andes Mountains where they meet the Amazon Basin is a region of sub Andean valleys called Yungas. The unique soil of the high altitude rain forest covered mountains, where the cool air from the snow capped mountains combine with the warm moist air from the Amazon, is ideal to cultivate superior quality tea. This black tea has an original flavor unlike traditional black teas from India and Sri Lanka. Large jet-black organic tea leaves yield an exquisite bright amber cup with a garden fresh aroma that is full-bodied and has a tantalizing apricot peach after taste
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Earlier this week, I had realized that I hadn’t yet reviewed this tea! How could that be? I have enjoyed this tea for quite a while now. But, I shall remedy that.
When I first opened the pouch of this tea, I noticed the beautiful dark chocolate colored leaves – long, twisted and wiry – and their distinct fruit-like aroma that evoked images of summer when fresh peaches and apricots are ripe and bursting with flavor. After brewing, the dark coppery cup offers mere hints of the delicious fragrance of the dry leaf.
The flavor is very rich and pleasant. It is a full-bodied, robust flavor that has some gusto to it. I am noticing a deep, baked-bread kind of taste and notes of malt, as well as an enjoyable chocolate-y flavor in the background. Remarkably smooth, and agreeably sweet with lovely fruit undertones.
Flavor wise, I would classify this tea from the Amazonian rainforest as somewhere between an Assam and a Ceylon, but also with notes that are reminiscent of a rich Fujian black tea. There is a fair amount of astringency to this tea, a slightly dry astringency that readies the palate to enjoy the aftertaste that has hints of sweet apricot.
This is an excellent tea that I’d recommend to anyone. It has that “agreeable” kind of flavor that even someone new to tea can appreciate, and possesses a complexity that will please tea enthusiasts as well as the occasional tea drinker.
Organic Gaba Tea from Drink T
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Drink T
Product Description:
Gaba tea is a relatively new type of tea with special health benefits. It was first discovered in 1987 by Japanese researchers looking for a way to preserve food. They discovered a process that produced high levels of gamman-amino butyric acid (GABA), an amino acid which occurs naturally in the human body. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the nervous system and also in the retina, which helps prevent the over-firing of neurons. Meaning, GABA can help reduce stress and anxiety. Today, Gaba tea is very popular in Japan and is prized for it many health benefits as well as providing a calming effect when consumed.
Our Gaba tea is grown and produced in Taiwan according to strict standards set by the Japanese government, and meets or exceeds the Japanese standard of 150 mg of GABA per 100 grams of tea.
Gaba tea brews to a dark brown color with a pleasing, light taste of cinnamon. It can be served either hot or iced. To enhance the subtle flavor, try it hot with a cinnamon stick.
Taster’s Review:
I admit that I’ve not had a lot of experience with Gaba Oolong tea. But, since I love Oolong, I was certain I’d also love this. Of course, I love this!
That being said, it tastes a bit different from a typical “green” Oolong, and different from a more oxidized Oolong (what I often refer to as a “darker” Oolong). But if I were to compare it to the two, I’d say this one tastes more like a darker Oolong. It has a roasted, nutty flavor with hints of fuzzy peach taste, as well as a subtle spiced undertone.
It’s that subtle spicy taste – not exactly spicy as in spicy-hot, but more like a sweet cinnamon taste – that is the most surprising flavor profile of this cup. It is a mellow taste, but it adds such a delightful layer of flavor to this tea.
I really enjoyed this tea – and as I sipped it, I could feel my muscles start to relax, as if the stress were somehow evaporating from my body. A refreshing, calming tea that is also delicious!
Superior Pouchong from Drink T
Tea Type: Oolong
Where To Buy: Drink T
Product Description:
Pouchong tea is a type of oolong closer to a green tea than a typical oolong. This is due to Pouchong tea being oxidized 15% or less while most Oolongs are oxidized about 30-70%. Pouchong means “the wrapped kind”, referring to the practice of wrapping the leaves in paper during the oxidation process.
Our Pouchong brews a golden green liquor with mild sweetness and delicate floral notes. It has a smooth flavor, making it a perfect everyday tea.
Bring water to just under boil (185-195)
Steep Time: 3 – 4 Minutes
Number of Infusions: 1 – 2
Sweetener: Optional
Cream: No
Caffeine: Moderate
Tasters Review:
Superior Pouchong from Drink T is really lovely! It’s Part Sweet – Part Floral and Completely Buttery!
Below is the original log of this tea from my Steepster TeaLog and normally I don’t post these here…but…I thought it was too silly NOT to post!
I know “mouth feel” is a technical/official tea tasting/reviewing term but it’s one of those words I don’t personally use a lot because it drives me nuts…sort of like the way the words “panties” or “shindig” drive me nuts and the way the word “chunk” drives my sister crazy and a friend of mine cringes every time he hears the word “moist”. I really don’t know what it is…I just don’t really like the word…I guess you could say it creeps me out. ANYHOW…I don’t know how else to describe this tho! Other than the “mouth feel” (eeeeekkkk cringe at the word) of this is TOP NOTCH!!!
This is a great Pouchong…totally lives up to it’s name! As for a little more on this specific tea to add to my original review…I really DO like this! It’s great hot, iced, with just about any kind of food, and anytime of day! This is probably one of my top 5 favorite teas from Drink T.
Jade Oolong from Drink T
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Drink T
Company Description:
Jade Oolong is grown in the mountainous areas of Taiwan. It is produced from large, single leaves and lightly oxidized. Then It is gently rolled and rubbed with cotton to slightly bruise the leaves. When fired, this process helps the tea develop its unique, complex character. Each successive infusion results in a different taste experience.
Our Jade Oolong has a fresh smooth body and lingering floral sweetness. A true delight to be savored and a staff favorite.
Taster’s Review:
This tea is a delightful example of just why I so adore Oolong teas! The flavor is so beautifully complex and the tightly wound “pearls” of tea are slow to unfurl – which means they have many delicious infusions to offer.
I brewed this tea in my gaiwan – and I’m finally believing that the gaiwan is the ONLY way that an Oolong should be steeped! The short, frequent steeps really makes a difference in the flavor. If you don’t have a gaiwan, do yourself a favor and get one!
This tea is an interesting one. It’s a paradox! It is light yet intensely flavored. It has a delicious floral taste that is sweet with a delicate sharpness. It has a very pleasant mouthfeel that is smooth and silky. It is not a lingering mouthfeel, but it is quite seductive while it lasts.
I have tried many teas from Drink T – and I have been very impressed with each and every one of them. This Jade Oolong is no exception – I highly recommend it.