Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Mark T. Wendell
Product Description:
This tea from the island of Formosa was one of Mr. Wendell’s personal favorites. Its long, silvery leaf gives an attractive appearance. He referred to it as “the burgundy of teas.” Its mellow brew is full-bodied with a superb bouquet.
Taster’s Review:
When I first tried this tea, I must admit that it confused me. It looked like a Formosa Oolong, it smelled like a Formosa Oolong. And even the taste is quite reminiscent of a fine quality Formosa Oolong tea.
But, it isn’t an Oolong. It also isn’t – technically – a Keemun, since it was grown in Taiwan and not in the Qimen County of China.
So, this is what led me to my state of confusion. But, that’s OK, because I like it when I find a tea that challenges me, and this one does. And you know what, sometimes its good to color outside the lines and to think outside the box. This tea is brilliant and daring, and I like that.
As I mentioned before, it does have a flavor that is quite similar to a Formosa Oolong – and it also does have some tastes that represent a fine Keemun as well. This tea is like the best of both worlds in one teacup.
This tea is considerably lighter than a typical Keemun. The mouthfeel is smooth and soft and quite like the mouthfeel I’d experience with a Formosa Oolong. It has a supple flavor that is woody with hints of smoke and a deep fruity undertone. There are intriguing spice notes to this cup as well, similar to that which I would taste with a Keemun. It has a wine-like finish to it, but without the bitter taste I would experience with a Keemun.
While this tea is a bit confusing – I am certainly not confused when I say that I really like this one. It’s delicious!
Formosa Mingjian Green Tea from auraTeas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: auraTeas
Product Description:
Origin: Mingjian, Nantou,Taiwan 名間.南投.台灣
Style: None oxidized, light roasted, medium bodied, light floral aroma
Loose leaf style: Half ball
Loose leaf color: Dark green
Wet leaf style: Dark green
tea color: Golden greenThis half ball shaped Formosa Mingjian Green Tea looks like Dongding Oolong, while maintains its none-fermented characteristics. It is lightly roasted (fired) to produce the distinct floral aroma. The tea is golden green in color, smooth and slightly sweet in taste. This is a great try as roasted Green Tea.
Taster’s Review:
When I first saw the dry leaf of this tea, I thought it was an Oolong. It definitely looks like a greener Oolong with its tightly wound leaves.
The flavor is very much like a fine quality green tea, though. Lightly vegetative and beautifully mellow, with hints of flower and fruit weaving in and out of the sip. The light roasting of this tea adds definition to these qualities. I love the delicate sweetness to this cup. It is a soft, light-bodied tea that is very refreshing.
Toward the end of the sip, I notice a slightly tangy, citrus-y characteristic that finishes sweet. There is very little astringency to this tea, and no bitterness (but don’t steep it at too high a temperature). It makes a great afternoon pick-me-up. A beautiful tea, indeed!
Formosa Oolong from Imperial Tea Garden
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Imperial Tea Garden
Product Description:
In Taiwan, the making of oolong tea is regarded as an art form where the style and dedication of the grower is passed down through generations. Producing oolong tea involves highly specialized skills to control the withering, oxidation, and firing process. A slight varience in any of these variables can greatly affect aroma, flavor, color or finish. This tea is a long fired “amber style” tea which gives it a roasted character.
Taster’s Review:
I love Formosa Oolong. In fact, up until a few years ago, Formosa Oolong WAS Oolong as far as I was concerned. I really didn’t have much experience with any other type of Oolong. In the last couple of years, I’ve been more adventurous and discovered many different types of Oolong. However, Formosa Oolong remains a favorite of mine.
This Formosa Oolong from Imperial Tea Garden is quite delicious. The flavor is mildly sweet with a peach-like quality in the background. A very smooth tea that offers a very light mouthfeel – light, but silky! There is also a very light astringency.
But the flavor is anything but “light.” I am finding this to be very flavorful. A roasty undercurrent that melds with a sweet, honey-esque note. Beautiful!
Formosa Oolong is one of those Oolong teas that tastes great however you choose to serve it. I like it hot, but it is also one of my favorite iced teas too. It doesn’t need any sweetener because it does have a natural sweetness to it, but the flavors probably won’t be overwhelmed if you choose to add a little (don’t go overboard, though!) It’s great with a thin slice of citrus fruit or a chunk or two of candied ginger. Or enjoy it the way I am now: hot with nothing added.
Fabulous!
Formosa Oolong from Special-Teas, Etc.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Special-Teas, Etc.
Product Description:
This Formosa Oolong is an exceptional Taiwanese dark oolong full of fluffy white tipped leaves. An exceptional brew from an exceptional tea!
Taster’s Review:
Oh, how I adore this tea! It reminds me of the Oolong I used to offer to my clients. It possesses such a pleasant, deep sweetness to it!
The tea leaves are quite dark – this is a deeply oxidized Oolong from Taiwan. This tea IS special and deserves a special brewing vessel – I recommend getting out your gaiwan for this one. Not only will it enable you to capture the very best flavor from this tea, but it will also allow you to infuse the leaves multiple times – and each infusion will be just as extraordinarily flavorful as the previous one. And, trust me when I say that when you taste this tea, you’ll want as many infusions as the tea leaves will offer!
This tea has a natural sweetness to it – it doesn’t need additional sweetener, and you may risk overwhelming the delicate balance of flavors by adding sweetener. Instead, just enjoy the natural beauty of this tea unfettered.
It has a lovely peach undertone to it, as well as a soft earthy note. But mostly, what I get from this tea is a beautiful honey-like flavor. Sweet and smooth with a gentle mouthfeel.
Truly a wonderful Oolong! This is one that I recommend to all Oolong enthusiasts. Keep this one on hand!
Formosa Nostalgia DongDing Oolong from auraTeas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: auraTeas
Product Description:
Origin: Lugu, Nantou,Taiwan 鹿谷‧南投‧台灣
Style: Medium fermented Oolong, full bodied, fruity aroma
Loose leaf style: Half ball Dongding oolong style
Loose leaf color: Brownish dark green
Wet leaf style: Dark green center with brown red edge
Tea color: Golden yellowFormosa Nostalgia Dongding is the modern version dedicated to grandpa’s Dongding Oolong. Strictly following traditional Dongding Oolong process, our Nostalgia Dongding is hand roasted, produces full bodied long lasting fruity aroma. This is the best choice if you are looking for retro style Dongding Oolong.
Taster’s Review:
This Oolong is a little different than I’m used to, but in this case, different is definitely a good thing!
There is a bit of spiciness to the sip that I do not usually associate with Oolong tea, as well as a bitter note. This bitter note is not an offensive or off-putting bitter taste, but a savory one that provides a nice contrast to the sweet qualities of the cup and compliments the overall flavor profile of the tea.
The mouthfeel is smooth and slick. A light astringency does not allow the mouthfeel to linger, leaving a very clean aftertaste.
The sweet, nutty quality of this tea is enhanced by the toasty essence of this hand roasted tea. There is also a fruity note that is peach-like in the background.
A pleasant, full-flavored Oolong that I’m very glad I had the opportunity to try!