Frank W. Send Message

Boy I am ignorant…I keep logging out after moving the sliders, forgetting to add tasting notes. Anyhow…this looked so green coming out of the package that I had to try it the multiple steep “Eastern” style in my Yixing…I think I’ll leave my Japanese Kyusu strictly for Japanese green.

First steep was 50 seconds at 195F with about 6-8 ounces water. Very buttery flavor…creamy too! This must be less oxidized than others I have tried because I can almost detect a vegetal background. I think I may have finally got the water to tea mix right because that first steep went down fast and tasty!

The second steep was 60 seconds at 195F and is predominantly salty and toasty- kind of reminds me of Long Jing (Dragonwell) . What’s going on here? I am beginning to suspect that my Yixing pot, my ignorance, or a mix of both is to blame. I may do the rest of my samples “Western” style. Maybe I am not refined enough for oolong? After this batch I am turning the Zojirushi down to 175F and having some Sencha which I at least know how to brew.

I opened this sampler pack and found the tea somewhat crumbled and not wanting to get a bunch of leaves in my mouth, I decided to brew this “Western” style in my Teavana “Perfect Tea” maker. I did the whole 7 grams to about 14 ounces water and the brew was delicious. Much better than the stuff I have been getting lately from brewing “Eastern” style. I am thinking I either don’t have enough leaf or my Yixing is just too big and I need to use less water. Any input or ideas is appreciated.

Back to the tea. Very substantial mouthfeel. Tasted to me like a good Oolong you get in a Chinese restaurant (where they also do it Western style). I would order this if the price isn’t too bad so am saving the wrapper for when I run out of Oolong samplers from Tea from Taiwan. I think the bad thing about a Western style is the second steep…which I did for 6 minutes at 195 was noticeably weak so I didn’t try a third.

I must start this off by saying I bought sample packs from Tea From Taiwan so you’ll be seeing a few more reviews of their teas. I must also say I am no expert so feel free to comment or correct me if I have made a blunder.

This tea’s first steep in my Yixing was the whole 7 grams for about a 8-10 ounce cup. This was the best I have had “Eastern” style so far! Smell of the dry leaf was yummy familiar oolong smell. I found myself sticking my nose in the empty sample package for scent “hits” many times. First steep was 60 seconds at 195F after a quick leaf wake up/rinse as directed by the web site. The taste is very floral and buttery with a slight mineral hint. Very nice mouthfeel…almost broth-like. Second steep (80 seconds) was a deep golden brew that had more aroma, but about the same amount of flavor. The website says you can go 5 steeps and beyond, but being a middle-aged barbarian with unrefined taste buds, I’ll stop when the tea taste is fading to me. Third steep is holding up well at 1:40 was a little lighter but still tasty – in fact, I decided to order more based on the staying power and taste of this tea. I quit after the fourth cup at 2 minutes because I was full (big cups), plus I had to take the kids to an orthodontist appointment.

I will admit I am a barbarian. I have to have a tea come up and kick me in the butt for me to appreciate it and buy it again. I used 195F water tried for 1 minute, tried for 2 minutes, tried for 3 minutes with the sample size in a 10 ounce Yixing pot. I am sure someone with a more refined palate than mine could appreciate this tea, but to me, it seems weak and tasteless. Maybe I didn’t use enough tea? Glad this was just a sample!

Just put a tablespoon of honey in a 16 ounce brew and your kids will eat it up. I like it myself at night…a pleasing mix of rooibos, fruits, and flowers in the cup. Just smell the leaves afterwards…that is exactly what you taste in the cup.

Not really a coffee substitute as it is billed, but this rooibos/mate drink is very tasty with honey and cut with Teavana’s Rooibos Chai. Just like advertised – has chocolatey undertone with a very mild buzz afterwards. A delicious drink, but not a coffee substitute.

I tried many different steeping temps and tried it both with a Yixing pot and my Teavana steeper, but nothing tasted as good as the Ti Kuan Yin from Adagio. Not quite as strong nor as flavorful as the other oolongs I have tasted. Drinkable, but I won’t be purchasing again.

Good stuff, especially for the price. This is my favorite style of oolong. I tried steeping in a traditional Yixing clay teapot, with the extra steepings, but I honestly thought it tastes best brewing it Western style in my Teavana steeper for 6 minutes (yes, I am a barbarian). Good aroma and the leaves smell delicious after steeping.

Good for three steeps according to the label, but the last was pretty weak and so I usually let it go the full 2 minutes rather than the 1.5 suggested. I appreciated O-Cha putting the suggested steeping times right on the label which were 1.0, .5 and 1.5 minutes. Buttery aftertaste was especially enjoyable.