Maori Blue

Well, the first tea I’ve ever tried from New Zealand… And I wasn’t disappointed!

Dry leaves: sweet, typical oolong scent, with a hint of condensed milk

Taste / Mouth Feel: The sweetness of the vanilla really comes through; it reminds me of a milk oolong in some respects, like the relatively heavy, silky mouth feel. There is a ‘green-ness’ to it that the milk oolongs don’t have, though this doesn’t – to me! – taste as pronounced as the usual difference between a ‘standard’ and a milk oolong. This tea reminds me of a custard cream biscuit dunked in some oversteeped assam – biscuity, custardy sweetness with a tinge of bitterness.

Brewing Particulars: I used MF’s recommendation of 95 degrees for 5 minutes.

Subsequent brews: This tea carried itself for two brews, but by the third steeping, it was losing the sweet notes, and gaining a little bitterness.

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 15

Oh, this is a lovely green oolong. Initially, I thought it was scented – it has delectable notes of vanilla, milk, woody incense, and subtle gold honey fused with butter to finish. Subsequent steeps are silky and sugarcane sweet.

I’d definitely consider picking up more… except it’s 68€/100g. Err… so the long list, then. I respect MF for including one of their pricier selections – and not colouring the tea with blerghy blue pea flowers!

Steep count: 4 (3min, 3min30, 2 × 4min..)

Wait. They sell this in 50g. That is slightly easier to swallow (still on the longlist).

A totally unique Oolong. There are other New Zealand Oolongs that are more floral and are higher up on teas I traditionally like. The toasty peanut notes in this one are great!