Bio
I started my Steepster loose leaf adventure back in 2012. I can’t say I’m completely new anymore, but I still view oolong as a magical, extraterrestrial creature that unfurls in water.
My favourites are teas like Milk Oolong, Silver Needle,and Japanese Sencha/Gyokuro, or fruity and floral flavoured ones. However, I generally enjoy ALL the teas, including a good old cup of Earl Grey or Breakfast blend.
FAVOURITE INGREDIENTS/NOTES:
DESSERT FLAVOURS
Vanilla, Maple, Caramel, Butterscotch, Cream, Toffee, Nougat, Marzipan, Butter
FRUIT & BERRIES
Citrus Fruits, Passionfruit, Banana, Pineapple, Melons, Blackberry, Raspberry, Currants, Elderberry, Persimmon, Rhubarb..
SPICES
Ginger, Turmeric, Clove-forward chai, Cardamom
AROMATIC & HERBACEOUS NOTES
Sandalwood, Frankincense, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Mints
FLORALS
Lavender, Jasmine, Rose, Lilac, Violet, etc.
VEGGIE/GRAIN NOTES
Spinach, Grass, Hay, Cucumber, Rice, Sweet Potato
Less Preferred Flavours/Ingredients:
Stevia, Apple, Cocoa Nib, Almond, Licorice, Cinnamon-forward blends, Chinese Sencha
Subjective Rating System:
I don’t give a lot of low ratings out, since a) I tend to grab tea I know will appeal to me, and b) I don’t have a lot of strong dislikes.
90-100: Favourites. The Desert Island Teas.
80-89: Loved teas. Possibly staple-worthy.
70-79: Good teas, but I’m less likely to repurchase. Minor quibbles.
60-69: Ok teas. Likely a few preference and/or quality issues.
50-59: Cup of meh. Will do in a pinch.
11-49: Varying levels of undrinkable tea.
1-10: Nightmare tea from the chaos realms. This tea is the embodiment of the primordial swamp, an unholy abomination. It’s very gross and I’m almost positive it doesn’t exist.
Location
BC, Canada
Your description makes it sound so… perfect. But it’s too artificial for me, unfortunately.
I’m finding it to be a bit too flavoured this time around too. I wish the natural oolong notes were more pronounced, and that there was less of this (the kind of pudding I’m thinking of): http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/04/30/00/04/0004300004421_500X500.jpg
Oh yeah, I remember it tasting similar to that kind of pudding, but even more chemically. I just wish it was a natural vanilla bean.
Haha. Yeah. I have some that I’m trying to persuade myself to drink. Any mixing ideas? What could tone down the vanilla? Maybe a latte?
I definitely found it more tolerable as a latte. Or maybe mix it with an unflavoured oolong that’s been sitting around?
Hmm. I think I’ll try it as a latte. That way I don’t have Even More vanilla tea to drink up!
Warm milk and flavoured oolong.. hmm. Another thing to try soon.
It’s good with coconut oolong!