Firebird 2015 Fenghuang Dancong Songzhong Oolong from Bitterleaf is really something special! It has a crustiness or bakey-like flavor to it – much like some of the more bakey black teas I enjoy but with the leaf of an oolong! The product description says it’s ‘the closest thing they’ve experienced to drinking a sticky bun’. I was intrigued at that statement. However I didn’t have that exact experience – I did still have a wonderful sipping experience regardless!
Having said that Firebird 2015 Fenghuang Dancong Songzhong Oolong from Bitterleaf is slightly sweet and does have that touch of natural caramel goodness laying underneath while still providing a VERY strong crustiness to the sip and I find that amazingly wonderful!
For kicks I decided to add a few pure sugar crystals to this – which I almost NEVER do – but I had them on hand. By doing so I found that Firebird 2015 Fenghuang Dancong Songzhong Oolong from Bitterleaf taste a bit more like the ‘sticky bun’ nod the product description claimed.
The natural honey-like aftertaste is something that certainly lingers on to the aftertaste. This is a really interesting offering from Bitterteas and I’m honored to have tried it!
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong Tea
Where to Buy: Bitterleaf
Tea Description:
One of our first two selections from the world of oolong, our Firebird Song Zhong Dancong is medium oxidized with a roasted sweetness. With honey and caramel as the most prominent flavours, this tea is about the closest thing we’ve experienced to drinking a sticky bun. The soup brews also out a clear honey-orange, but no actual honey was added, we swear.
This tea comes to us farm-direct from Chao Zhou.
Learn even more about this tea here.
Juicy Grapefruit from Dave and Solomons Tea
I am a grapefruit nut so whenever I see teas that I have grapefruit flavorings I have to try them out. This one had a lovely mix of oolong and green teas with a citrus twist. It was an instant, I have to try this reaction!
Since this is a green/oolong/mate blend, I went ahead and used normal oolong steeping parameters and was careful to only allow the tea to steep for about 3 minutes. I loved looking at this tea. Gorgeous pops of color on a base of greens and darker leaves. Just lovely.
Once I started drinking this tea I couldn’t stop. I thought this tea would be a soft gentle mix of citrus and lush buttery smooth notes but instead I was greeted with a somewhat smokey base with a citrus tang. Completely different and unique. I can’t say that I’ve had a smoky citrus tea like this before. The grapefruit fit the blend perfectly. I loved that flavor mixed with the base. A nice change of pace to be honest. I haven’t had a smoky tea in a long time!
After spending more time with this tea, every now and again I would get a sweetness from the floral notes. I almost wish those were a bit stronger, but I’m still enjoying what I have. I can’t say this tea is one I would grab for all the time but I love the change of pace this tea has going for it. Definitely one to keep around for a bit and play around with. You have to love a unique base of green/oolong/mate tea with grapefruit loving!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type:
Where to Buy: Dave and Solomons Tea
Description
This beautiful blend of green and black tea is infused with delicate hints of grapefruit. A true delight for the eyes as well as the palate. Try iced!
Organic Green, Oolong & Mate Tea, Orange & Lemon Peel, Marigold & Cornflower Petals, Rose Petals & Grapefruit Essence
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Jade Oolong from Little Red Cup Tea Co.
I was looking for a greener tasting oolong and I think I have found just that in this Jade Oolong from Little Red Cup Tea Co.
Not only does this Jade Oolong from Little Red Cup Tea Co. taste like a greener oolong it also has beautiful floral flavors on the end sip and a very pretty aroma from start to finish. It has a glowing gold color of tea liquor that sloshes in the cup. This was delightful sipping hot, cool, or cold! The cooler or colder it gets the more I can taste the floral notes.
If you haven’t had a good, solid Jade Oolong in a while try Jade Oolong from Little Red Cup Tea Co. and even if you have it’s a great time to compare it with others because I find this one to be exceptional!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Little Red Cup Tea Co.
Description:
Jade Oolong (Wu Long, 乌龙) is a marvelous mountain-grown tea from western Hunan Province. It has an appealing aroma, a beautiful green color and a forceful presence. It has a taste profile characteristic of greener oolongs, complex and just a little woody.
Our Jade Oolong is pure whole leaf organic Chinese tea, Fair Trade certified, and utterly delicious. This is a tea to be enjoyed on a regular basis, but also a tea to bring out for special occasions. It is at once familiar and yet a cut above ordinary oolongs, a tea we are certain you will love.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Giddapahar Oolong 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited
There are 3 things I’m liking of this Giddapahar Oolong 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited before I even try a sip…that it’s a 2nd Flush Darjeeling, that it’s an Oolong, and that it’s from the Giddapahar Plantation.
Giddapahar Oolong 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited is like Autumn in a cup! It smells like sweet damp sticks that have been out on the forest floor. As I continue to sniff the infused tea I notice an additional aroma – perhaps stone fruit – such as apricot, maybe. Regardless it’s crisp and clean!
The color of Giddapahar Oolong 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited is pretty as well. It’s a light to medium shade of reddish-brown.
On to the TASTE of this tea… Giddapahar Oolong 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited…is REALLY wonderful! It has a VERY fresh, fruit, clean taste on the tongue. There is a bit of sweet woodsy notes that fade in and out on occasion as well. It’s like a light switch turning on and off with various layers of flavor happening. It’s an amazing tea experience that is for sure! The end sip on to the after taste I can make the connection to those Darjeeling highlights so many have come to know and love, too!
Giddapahar Oolong 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited is really something special! Something to be shared and discussed with others. Something to be treasured! Does that sound dramatic? Good…because Giddapahar Oolong 2nd Flush 2016 Darjeeling Exclusive from Lochan Tea Limited is just that type of tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Ooong
Where to Buy: Lochan Tea Limited
Description:
This tea is currently not listed but please check below.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Eden Oolong Tea from TOCHA Tea
Eden Oolong from TOCHA Tea – I LOVE the name and the tea isn’t too shabby either. This tea is organic loose leaf inside sheer sachets. I can clearly see all of the plump ingredients in each bag. Once steeped the oolong leaves a nice lighter glowing golden hue in the cup!
Eden Oolong from TOCHA Tea is please on the nose and on the taste buds! It’s a florally-sweet flavor that is mild and pretty. It leave no specific aftertaste which I love. This makes a decent iced tea as well. I have to say I am pretty impressed with this tea!
I have to say I’m also LOVING the tea tin that Eden Oolong from TOCHA Tea came in. The labels are beautiful. Each tea flavor and offering have various colors flowing on the tea tin label that a dreamer like me could easily get lost in. The colors swim together like a watercolor painting! This tea puts a smile on my face!
Here’s the Scoop!
Leaf Type: Oolong Tea
Where to Buy: TOCHA Tea
Description:
Escape into a luxuriant garden with this fresh, lively blend of delightful oolong tea and the finest botanicals. This elegant, harmonious infusion eases body and mind, supporting a fit and trim physique while putting a blissful smile on your face.
Fresh, fragrant, enlivened by the sweet and floral aromas
Ingredients
Organic Whole Leaf Oolong Tea (China), Organic Lotus Leaf (China), Organic Whole Leaf Jasmine Green Tea (China), Organic Rose Petals (France), Organic Osmanthus Flowers (China)
Learn more about this tea and tea company here.