Plum Blossom Oolong Reserve

I contacted Teas Etc via twitter, and I got better instructions for brewing this tea (than what was on the package). Beth told me to brew this with 3 to 3.5 g per 8 oz cup. So, trying this again today. Turns out 3.5 g of tea was about exactly what I had left in my sample. That amount of tea wound up being at least 3 heaping tsp.

This is a completely different tea from the underbrewed batch I did on Monday. This one is a dark yellow and is full of a floral fruity flavor. A lot of people describe the fruitiness of this tea as plum, but I think it is peachy. I’d almost swear that I am drinking a peach oolong tea. There aren’t any flavorings added to this tea though… this is all coming from the leaves. It’s really lovely. I’d almost describe it as dense and fruity at the same time. I’d order more if I could afford it. Maybe it’ll have to go on my xmas wish list for next year.

I can’t wait to see what the second steeping is like. Other reviewers have said that the second steeping is even better.

Yummmm! Light, sweet, woody and just all around goodness :-)

I received this as a small sample. Thank you! I couldn’t appreciate the scent dry but steeped, it was delicious! Wow! The liquor was a nice deep yellow and the scent and taste was so light and fruity. There was a hint of woodiness and nuttiness to it. So sweet and nice! This is perfect! I was plesantly surprised. I need more of this! :)

Pretty extraordinary oolong. Surprisingly light for an Oriental Beauty, but also fruity. A delight.

Drinking Teas Etc.’s Plum Blossom Oolong was the liquid equivalent of biting into a ripe, juicy fresh plum minus the pit. Prepared gongfu style and served in oolong sets (aroma and drinking cups).

First infusion – (Aroma) Amazingly sweet, it intensified as it cooled. The liquor had a student from Colorado opined that it tasted “like hiking in the woods after it just rained.”
Towards the back of the tongue, there was also a slight bite that reminded me of a plum’s tart skin.

Second infusion – Full, fruity flavor filled the whole palate. Among those sharing, this infusion was the favorite. The students remarked about how widely the flavor ranged between infusions.

Third infusion – Light, subtle yet lasting fruity aftertaste. This infusion sealed the flavor profile in the memory. At this point, students wanted to know more about oolongs in general and this oolong in particular. The complexity of this oolong is impressive.

I think I died and I am in heaven! This tea is outstanding!!!!!! This is a tea I will keep in my tea vault to be drank on very special days (or nights). I did compare it to eating some fresh fruit (plum was what I tasted).

A very good Bai Hao style 50% oxidized oolong from Taiwan.

This is a fine example of an Oriental Beauty. This one is very fruity and woody as primary notes. The fruit and oak remind a bit of the complexity you find in a good red wine. However, despite all that wood, this has very little dryness in the mouth. There are also some floral notes and this one flirts with being creamy though it never fully delivers that creamy mouthfeel. If you are a lover of Oriental Beauty, then this one is not to be missed.

This one has a very earthy dry leaf smell. Earth, wood. A tiny bit toasty.

195F, gaiwain. Rinse, 15 seconds +5 for each subsequent steep.

The first steep had a pale yellow color, but this intensified quite a bit to a serious golden. Like champagne, but even more intense. The aroma is pure stonefruit. Heavy on the stone, lighter on the fruit. Peach pits. And something else. Walnut, I think.

I took it through more steeps than I intended. It held up well, and went nicely with breakfast (pancakes). But having this with food corrupts one of its more wonderful aspects, its aftertaste.

It’s all about the aftertaste for me with this one. Sweet, fruity — and that’s where I find the plum.

Yum.