Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Boutique Teas

Tea Description:

A single trunk oolong tea, over 100 years old, this oolong has floral,peach and apricot notes.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I am loving this Phoenix Oolong Tea from Boutique Teas!

My first sip, I was greeted with a pleasing, sharp floral note that is slightly softened with a honey-esque sweetness, and delightful background notes of stone fruit.  As I continue to sip, I notice that the fruit notes get a little stronger, particularly a peach-y like taste that I’m finding almost irresistible.   It’s so sweet and luscious!

I brewed this the way I would usually brew an Oolong, in my gaiwan, using hot water – but not boiling, I usually brew darker Oolong teas such as this at about 180°F.  I do a quick, 15 second rinse, and then I start the infusion time at 45 seconds, and increase the infusion time by 15 seconds for each subsequent infusion.  I usually combine two infusions in one cup.  This is the way I’ve found that works for my personal taste buds, the tea is the strength that I like it, and I am able to manage at least six infusions from each measurement of leaves … quite often more.

Subsequent infusions proved to be smoother, with the floral tones evening out and becoming less sharp and distinct … they seem to meld with the honey and fruit notes.  My favorite cup of the three cups (a total of six infusions) was the second, which was very smooth, with a rich, brothy mouthfeel and a delicious fruit and flower taste with a sweet honey undertone.

I could not find this tea offered individually on the Boutique Teas website at the time of writing this review, but, I did find it as part of this Oolong Tribute Set from Boutique Teas … which looks like a fine assortment of three delightful Oolong teas, including the previously reviewed Big Red Robe!  That’s an awesome collection of teas!