The tin and box refer to this as blue tea. I had never to my remembrance heard of a oolong tea being referred to as “blue.”
This smells heavenly. It reminds me a lot of Teavivre’s Taiwan Ginseng Oolong in the scent. I googled blue tea and lots of the listings were for oolong tea rolled in licorice root and ginseng powder, but these leaves do not appear to have been rolled in anything. It is sometimes referred to as a Formosa style oolong.
There are large and medium sized leaves and a good number of cherry blossom petals. We are steeping over and over. The flavors are sticking around for a few steeps, but mild after the first. The oolong is neither super green or heavily roasted. Perhaps “Blue” refers to the level of oxidation and type of heat this tea has had?
This tin is going to be gone in no time and I am going to miss it when it is gone. I am rather taken with this tea right now.
The tin is tall and thin and has a really nice double lid. It will definitely be saved and recycled for storing another tea.
Beautiful canister – but then again, so many of Mariage Freres’ are (sigh)