Full disclosure: I have a cold coming on so my senses are not what they might be. Also, I tasted this over my morning paper’s shocking report of Robin Williams’ death. It’s confusing to be sad about a comic genius. But that was Robin Williams: no one better balanced tortured and utterly hilarious. Goodbye Robin. Thanks for the laughs and the pathos. You’re a master of both.
Now to the tea. I’ve only had a few milk oolongs and this is the best of the bunch. The dry leaves are pretty but nondescript; the wet leaves are a bit toasty smelling, but give no real hint about what’s to come.
Drinking this tea is a process. The first (25 second) steep made me say, “oh my.” It has the distinctive milk oolong profile, but wonderfully subtle, not “hit you over the head, hey I’m MILKY” like many of them. The second (35 second) steep was also good, and it felt like there is more potential buried in it. In steep four (45 seconds), the milkiness is more pronounced, and in steep 5 (55 seconds), the leaves are more milky, but the flavor somewhat less so. After 5, I needed to leave for work, but I left the gaiwan filled and I’m eager to see what happens after a few hours rest. All in all, a lovely, understated milk oolong that I’d be happy to drink again.
Flavors: Milk, Toasty
Sounds delicious!