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Cameron B. drank Phoenix Honey Orchid Oolong / Honey Oolong by Kiani Tea

4030 tasting notes

Kiani Tea Advent Calendar 2021 – Day 11

I’m enjoying this one grandpa-style today, in one of my double-walled glass tumblers with a nifty built-in strainer thingy.

So Dancong oolongs aren’t really my favorite. (This is a Dancong, right? Right? Just tell me if I’m wrong lol.) Not that I dislike them, just not something I reach for or order, and the same with Wuyi oolongs really. I just find them a bit samey or something? And usually more floral than I prefer.

But anyway, this is tasty enough. Definitely fairly strong on the floral, which is not exactly surprising for something called “honey orchid” heh heh. But not overwhelmingly so. It has a lovely fruity sweetness as well, like dried apricots or peaches. And underneath is a solid base of crisp autumn leaves and a touch of wood. I’m not sure I get honey specifically? But it is pleasantly sweet.

Enjoyable, but not a favorite for me. :)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXGX2Tg2rt/

Flavors: Apricot, Autumn Leaf Pile, Dried Fruit, Dry Leaves, Floral, Mineral, Nectar, Peach, Stonefruit, Sweet, Wood

Preparation

170 °F / 76 °C 8 min or more 4 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, KBeauty, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- May Sipdowns: 20
- Total 2024 Sipdowns: 33

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia.

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing