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This is a review for Tung Ting Oolong bought at the Tea Gallerie in San Diego.

I almost misjudged this tea. I love oolongs, but have only really had rock oolongs or other long-leafed varieties. I decided to try this one out because I was looking for something a little different.

It’s much less sweet than I am used to with other oolongs. This doesn’t necessarily bother me, but it also has a kind of “milky” taste to me that doesn’t agree with my stomach. On the first infusion, I actually had to force myself to finish the pot, which almost never happens to me. Needless to say, I was very surprised that I was finding it so bad, and annoyed since I had just bought a bulk amount.

So I decided to give it another go. On the second infusion, everything changed. The astringency and milkiness were gone, there was a definite sweetness, and the whole thing just tasted better. I’ve heard of “rinsing” oolongs before but never practiced it, however I think that will have to be my policy with this one.

Over all, a good quality oolong. I enjoy that it unfolds into a recognizable leaf shape, and little bit really goes a long way. Happy for the experience, and glad I purchased it!

This is hands-down my favorite black tea. It is so incredibly smooth and doesn’t taste like any other black tea I’ve tried. Oddly enough, it reminds me completely of a Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab scent called Iago, which contains black musk, wet leather, and vetiver. If you could combine those into a tea, this would be it. (I hope that sounds as appealing to other people as it does to me).

I would like to try a version of this that doesn’t come from Teavana, however, as it was incredibly over-priced. I’m sure I can find something even more high quality for the same price or less somewhere else.

This is truly an amazingly well done black tea blend. The smell is incredibly good, fruity with such a strong hint of chocolate. Brewed, the flavors dim a bit into a well-rounded black tea. Generally only drink PG Tips with milk, never a nice loose-leaf, but this is a tea I actually do enjoy with a dash of milk. I like a strong brew. Over all, it’s a great tea and I’m so glad I discovered it!

When I want a flavoured tea (which is rare) I always go for this one. I love black currant tea, but it’s hard to find it without added artificial flavour. I understand what people are saying when they say the currant flavour is underwhelming, but frankly I enjoy that over the chemical taste of most other black currant teas I’ve tried. This is in no way a fruity tea. For my tastes it is a perfect balance of good-quality black tea and and aromatic flavour.

I’m not very experienced with reviewing teas, but I’ll give it a go.

Over all, this tea is a perfect green tea. It has a very heavy presence, but the astringency stays politely in the background. I tend to let my teas over-brew, but even after 8 or so minutes the tea maintained a perfect flavour. I generally go for black teas and oolongs, but this tea will definitely stay in my cupboard for when I want something with a different flavour profile, but certainly not a lighter taste.