Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Urban Tea (company is no longer in business)
Product Description:
After picking, the leaves of this Chinese Oolong tea are lightly scented with fresh magnolia blossoms then delicately hand rolled to produce this aromatic Ooooh Oolong. The leaves of this oolong slowly unfurl in hot water to produce a pale yellow infusion with a soft floral aroma. Oolong teas have long been prized for their many health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, aiding digestion and promoting weight loss. Did we mention it tastes great too? Ideally served with or after a meal.
Taster’s Review:
It saddens me to write this review because Urban Tea has closed. I was lucky enough to receive this from them before they closed their doors, and I feel very fortunate to have been able to try some of their amazing teas.
I am really fond of magnolia scented Oolong teas. The flavor that the magnolia blossom imparts on the Oolong tea is fantastic. Sweet and floral, but the flowery taste is not bitter or sharp. There is a crispness to the finish. The transition from sweet to crisp is really smooth.
The Oolong base is somewhat buttery. There are some vegetal notes to the cup, and the way the magnolia notes meld with the vegetative flavors is really quite nice. A beautifully complex, delicious cup of tea.
Thank you, Urban Tea! You will be missed!
Yunnan Black Tea from Urban Tea
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Urban Tea
Product Description: This company has since closed
Tasters Review:
I’m always sad to see a good tea become extinct from my stash. More importantly – I’m always sad to see a good tea place close. This is the case here for both my tea stash and where the tea came from. A darned shame!
But…I do like to give credit where credit is due and this tea – still around or not – is one of the better Yunnan Black teas I have tried. And I do LOVE a good Yunnan Black!
I really liked this one because it was bold and dark and had a hint of crusty or bready-like notes as well as tomato – trying to hide underneath.
…it was yummy and savory…and I’m sorry to see it go!
Sencha from Urban Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Urban Tea
Product Information:
Japanese Sencha is a classic Japanese green tea enjoyed daily. Grown in meticulously managed tea gardens, these flat, deep green leaves yield a light green-gold liquor with a slight sweet vegetal flavor. These leaves will satisfy for multiple infusions.
Taster’s Review:
I was very saddened to learn that Urban Tea was closing their doors. I have greatly enjoyed the teas that I’ve tried from them, and this Japanese Sencha is no exception. This is a great Sencha!
The flavor is rich and sweet, with a nice vegetative taste that reminds me a bit of steamed spinach that’s been lightly buttered. I’ve tried this twice, the first time, I used a little extra leaf, and I found that the leaves REALLY expand – a little goes a long way!
But, not wishing to waste the tea, I tasted it, and it was quite lovely when brewed strong. It had a very brothy kind of taste. Sweet with a taste that reminds me of steamed spinach that’s been lightly buttered. It was quite satisfying!
The second time I steeped it, I used considerably less leaf and this – obviously – produced a much lighter infusion. This cup was less broth-like, and had a lighter taste and texture. I noticed that the stronger brew had a little bit of bitter taste toward the tail – not a “hey I scorched the green tea with water that was too hot” kind of bitter or a “I forgot to set the timer and oversteeped the tea” kind of bitter, but a pleasant bitterness that is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the tea. With the second, lighter brew, the bitterness was less pronounced.
These leaves also produce multiple infusions – each quite delightful! As I sit here enjoying this tea, I can’t help but be a little sad about the closure of such a fine company. I recommend stopping by Urban Tea today and picking up some of this – if it’s still available! You won’t regret it!
Assam from Urban Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Urban Tea
Company Description:
Alluring Assam from the famous area of Assam, India, produces a deliciously malty, smooth cup with a rich red liquor. Expertly picked large tea leaves are transformed into dark, twisted leaves with golden tips. A full flavored and robust black tea.
- Assam black tea FTGFOP
- Origin: Assam, India
Taster’s Review:
This is a rather unusual Assam – but when I say “unusual,” I mean it in a very good way! Typically, Assam teas are extraordinarily robust and possess a pleasing malty note, a baked flavor and a “chewiness” to them. And, don’t get me wrong, I love a good Assam with all these qualities. That being said, it is also sometimes quite nice to find an Assam that seems to march to its own beat.
This Assam is indeed robust and malty, but it doesn’t have that same chewy note. What it lacks in that department, though, it more than makes up for with a lovely fruit note – I can taste black currants and peaches! It has a nice sweetness to it, as well as a slight tart note.
Another significant difference here is the lack of bitterness that can often come with an Assam. It does have a little astringency, but less than a typical Assam. What I am tasting is a very enjoyable, rich, smooth, well-rounded taste that is very palate pleasing!
This tea does have a slight sweetness to it and it doesn’t need additional sweetener, but, I found that it also accepts milk and honey just as well as other Assam teas, if you should wish to add them. It is a great morning tea or early afternoon tea – and it is also quite nice as an iced tea!
Sencha Apple from Urban Tea
Tea Type: Green Tea
Where To Buy: Urban Tea
Product Description:
Antioxidant rich Chinese Sencha green tea together with juicy apple pieces, bright safflower petals and succulent pear flavoring makes a mouth-watering, healthful green tea. When steeped, this green tea yields a light yellow liquor with a fresh, sweet taste. Who needs dessert when you’ve got a guilt-free Sencha Apple green tea? Serve hot or iced, both are simply delicious!
Ingredients
- Green tea, apple, safflower, natural pear flavoring.
- Origin: Sourced from the finest ingredients grown in China and USA
Tasters Review:
This is a lovely Apple Sencha! I tried this one both hot and cold and enjoyed them both very much. I can taste primarily the apple but can also pick up on the pear, too…I think the pear PAIRS with the apple nicely and just enhances the overall apple flavor in this.
It’s sweet, fruity, and mouth-watering!