From Xinzhu County in Taiwan comes this bai hao oolong, sent to me by Gingko from Life in Teacup.

What a tea. It isn’t as aromatic as some Taiwanese oolongs, but the real treat is in the mouth. One sip and I was amazed at how the tea’s honeyed sweetness coated the mouth. I’ve had bai hao oolongs before (reviewed one here), but this one is, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever had.

Dry, the tea presents a lovely bouquet of white tips intermingled with leaves of various shades of brown. The leaves unfurl slowly in the water, and it takes three infusions before they really start opening up. I wasn’t able to have any more infusions this morning - duty calls – but I’m sure this tea will provide at least another four or five infusions. If Bec doesn’t go through it today, I’ll be sure to continue enjoying this tonight.

While drinking the second infusion, Bec drew a comparison to Earl Grey. And indeed, there is something Earl-ish about this oolong. It must be the fruity flavour (which grows stronger with longer infusions).

As I said, this isn’t a particularly aromatic tea, though it does have a sweet, almost tropical aroma. That sweetness is what stands out on the palette as well. There is a hint of peachy tartiness giving the tea a lively character, but it always finishes with a long, smooth sweetness.

Bai Hao Oolong Superior Grade is available from Life in Teacup for $7.20 for a 1-ounce packet.

Browse more bai hao oolong teas in the Tea Marketplace.

© Eric for Tea Finely Brewed, 2010. | Bai Hao Oolong (Oriental Beauty) Superior Grade from Life in Teacup | No comment |
Post categories: Oolong tea, Tea reviews
Post tags: Bai Hao Oolong, Life in Teacup, Oriental Beauty, Taiwanese oolong, Taiwanese teas

Serenity Teahouse is a small tea shop in Box Hill, a suburb of Melbourne. A tiny sign dangles above the sidewalk. Downstairs, there’s an Asian bakery that sells the tea; but the real fun begins upstairs, where Candy, the owner, will treat you to free tea tastings. Her family runs a tea farm (or several?) in Taiwan, so her specialty is in Taiwanese teas.

Among those is this formosa oolong, which I liked so much I decided to dedicate my first yixing tea set to it.

Formosa oolongs are a darker oolong, (meaning it has been oxidized more). They tend to be full-bodied, with some of the verve of black teas but without the mouth-puckering sharpness.

Benny also enjoyed his formosa oolong! Don’t worry, the cup and the tea were both cool:)

Serenity Teahouse’s formosa oolong has a weak nose. Surprising, considering how aromatic their other teas are. But where their greener oolongs have the most delightful aroma but a light flavour, the formosa oolong is less aromatic but has a stronger flavour.

The formosa oolong tastes of stonefruit and asparagus. In a way, it reminds me of the Ceylon black tea I reviewed last week. Similar flavours, similar character ? it just has less bite.

I’m not sure whether Serenity Teahouse ships internationally, but their website is here.

© Eric for Tea Finely Brewed, 2010. | Formosa Oolong from Serenity Teahouse | One comment |
Post categories: Oolong tea, Tea reviews
Post tags: Formosa oolong, Taiwanese oolong, Taiwanese teas