Milk Scented Kinsen Oolong Tea

Somehow, I have found myself watching Nature on PBS.  Today’s episode “Moment of Impact: Hunters and Herds” focuses on how animals both hunt and protect themselves.  I am quite amazed as I have just learned in a matter of 20 minutes that eagles have eyes that are larger than their brains. Queen ants reproduce constantly – laying over 3 million eggs per day. Jack rabbits have the ability to run at speeds of 40 miles per/hour.  And more than half of all giraffe calfs fall prey to tigers and hyenas. It is amazing how little I know about nature as I sat transfixed before the television enjoying a cup of Milk Scented Kinsen Oolong.

Composition: Oolong tea grown primarily in the foggy and wet mountain regions of China.  There is no milk or milk products contained in this tea.

Dry Visual: Dark green and yellow tightly rolled leaves with brown stems present.  Thanks to Stash Tea for the great photo.

Dry Aroma: A blend of nutty, toasty, creamy almost milky with a mild vegetal aroma.

Flavor: Milk Scented Kinsen Oolong is mild yet flavorful. A lover of oolong tea, Milk Scented Kinsen Oolong has a distinctly different feel in the mouth. It has a thick heavy texture that coats the mouth and tongue. Naturally sweet, I found this tea to delicious and thoroughly enjoyed every sip.  Unlike the dry aroma, Milk Scented Kinsen Oolong did not have a vegetal quality, typical of some oolongs.  Instead it was a unique mixture of toasted creaminess.  However, I was amazed by the changes in flavor as the cup cooled – this oolong became sweeter, slightly vegetal with a floral finish floral.

Milk Scented Kinsen Oolong has a mild astringency that becomes more pronounced throughout the cup and into the next infusion. However, I would never add a sweetener for fear of negatively altering the flavor profile. There is something quite amazing about the nuances found in an unsweetened cup of tea.

Liquor: A pale greenish-yellow hue.

Brewing Time: Stash recommends steeping Milk Scented Kinsen Oolong in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes.  I opted for 4 minutes for the first infusion.

Manufacturer: Stash Tea

Caffeine: Yes.

If you have had the opportunity to enjoy a cup of Milk Scented Kinsen Oolong tea, please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Jade Oolong Tea

As the blustery winds of winter roll in, we are not only greeted by cold, grey, and cloudy days, but also the dreaded flu, sinus infection and colds.  No, I don’t have the winter blues, but I do have a dreaded cold.  Coughing, sore throat, stuffy nose, tight chest and fatigue. During these times, nothing is better than a hot cup of tea to soothe the throat and ease the mind. I have enjoyed tremendously, multiple cups of Jade Oolong.

Composition: Oolong from Nantou, Taiwan

Dry Visual: Yellow, hints of red (some have described as brown), light and dark green curled leaves with stems present.  Thanks Rishi for the photo.

Dry Aroma: Very sweet and floral yet fresh and clean. Don’t worry, I smelled after being medicated when my olfactory system was operating properly!

Flavor: Jade Oolong is simply wonderful.  Admittedly, I am biased towards Taiwanese oolongs, therefore this tea had a head start in the flavor category.  Jade Oolong is a full-bodied tea. As the dry aroma suggests, this tea is distinctly floral and amazingly sweet, yet not overpowering. I continued to taste the floral flavor in the back of my throat some time after I finished my cup. Rishi describes the floral quality as lilacs – I would certainly agree.  While drinking my cup, I closed my eyes for just a moment and could envision myself strolling through a garden full of lilacs on an early spring morning.

I found Jade Oolong to have no astringency, not even a hint of dryness.  It was very fresh and clean – a palate cleanser. Therefore, no sweetener was needed nor would I recommend it. I fear that sweetener would mask the subtle flavors of this tea.

Liquor: A pale greenish-yellow hue.

Brewing Time: According to the directions, the recommended steeping time is 3-4 minutes in water that is 195 degrees F. I steeped 3 minutes for the first infusion and 4 minutes for the second infusion.

Manufacturer: Rishi Tea

Caffeine: Yes.

If you have had the opportunity to enjoy a cup of Jade Oolong, please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Oriental Beauty – First Prize

After enjoying a late breakfast/early lunch, I decided to brew a small pot of tea and snack on some delicious bread pudding my husband purchased for me a few days ago. I figure, after eating a healthy meal and spending 30 minutes doing a yoga tape, I should be entitled to a sinfully sweet dessert. Shouldn’t I? In my opinion, nothing pairs better with an incredibly rich dessert than a delicious oolong. Of course, I’ll enjoy a cup of tea first, then eat my bread pudding paired with a second cuppa tea. Today’s choice… Oriental Beauty-First Prize also known as Dong Fang Mei Ren or Bai Hao.

Composition: Taiwanese oolong harvested at the end of spring.

Dry Visual: Very dark reddish-brown leaves dominate. Tips are present with a splattering of light green leaves. The leaves are withered, long and somewhat curled.

Dry Aroma: Sweet with a honey scented aroma.

Flavor: Oriental Beauty has a lovely taste. Somewhat full-bodied, this tea is complex. It is very floral yet sweet. The sweetness which I tasted more on the back of the tongue was that of honey and a fruitiness I could not quite discern. Some experts have claimed peach, I would love to hear your thoughts. I have steeped Oriental Beauty on several occasions playing with the steeping time. When steeped for a longer period of time, this tea also presents a toasted flavor. There is even a honey-flavored aftertaste long after the cup is gone.

I found the brew to have little astringency (no bitterness, but a subtle dry feel in the mouth).  Nevertheless, no sweetener was needed nor would I recommend it.

Liquor: A rich yellow hue with a hint of red. When steeped for longer periods of time the liquor takes on a reddish or amber hue.

Brewing Time: According to the directions, the recommended steeping time is 3-5 minutes in water that ranges from 190 to 200 degrees F. I have steeped for 3, 4, and 5 minutes for the first infusion. For this tasting, I steeped for 4 minutes.

Manufacturer: TeaSource

Caffeine: Yes.

If you have had the opportunity to enjoy a cup of Oriental Beauty-First Prize, please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Medium LiSan Oolong Tea

Classes have resumed and as usual, I am exhausted. Too much homework, too many late nights, and too much procrastination. Even now, I wish I were in bed sound asleep, yet I could not completely pass out without first posting my latest tea drinking experience. Having enjoyed Lishan Oolong several months ago from Jing Tea , I eagerly anticipated my first sip of Medium LiSan Oolong and I must say, I was not disappointed.

Composition: Light roasted oolong tea from Taiwan. (Country of origin corrected 7/23/09) 

Dry Visual: Light and dark green balled leaves with hints of brown and yellow. Stems are present.

Dry Aroma: Medium LiSan Oolong presents a complexity of aromas: sweet, mildly vegetal, nutty and wet like spring rain.

Flavor:  Flavorful, yet light, I found Medium LiSan Oolong to be delicious. This tea could be described by four key adjectives… refreshing, clean, floral, and mildly “sappy” from start to finish. Even after three infusions, this oolong remained full of flavor. As the brew began to cool, Medium LiSan Oolong presented a buttery quality adding additional complexity. As an aside, I did not find Medium LiSan Oolong to be vegetal, despite the dry aroma. 

I was not surprised by Medium LiSan Oolong’s lack of astringency. Sweetener is not required and non was added for fear of negatively altering the flavor profile.

Liquor: A rich yellow hue.

Brewing Time: The recommended steeping time for Medium LiSan Oolong Tea is 3 – 4 minutes in pre-boiling water. If you make the mistake of boiling your water allow it to cool a couple of minutes prior to steeping tea. I steeped the first infusion for 2 minutes, the second infusion for 4 minutes and the third infusion for 6 minutes.

Manufacturer: Fang Gourmet Tea (Special note, Medium LiSan Oolong is currently not listed on Fang Gourmet Tea’s website, but can be ordered.) 

Caffeine: Yes.

If you have had the pleasure of enjoying a cup of Medium LiSan Oolong Tea, please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Moon Crest Tea a.k.a. Feng Huang Dan Cong

Officially, I’m on vacation – well at least from school for the week (not work).  The fourth of July is hastily approaching,  of course, the holiday does not occur without a family cookout with all the fixin’s.  Traditionally, on every holiday, my mother plans a big dinner during the Fall and Winter months and a cookout during the Spring and Summer. This year is no exception. Lately, I have added tea to the menu. While not everyone enjoys a cup, my family acknowledges my passion and is starting to expect me to bring a variety of teas for them to sample. Most have never heard of oolong or white tea or what they perceive as exotic blends like chai. It has been such a treat sharing what little I know about tea with my family.

Since all of our dinners and cookouts include potluck, this year, I think I’m going to make a variety of iced teas to share.  That, in conjunction with the store bought Amish Potato Saled my mother loves. Until then… I’m drinking Moon Crest a.k.a. Feng Huang Dan Cong.

Composition: Oolong tea leaves handpicked from bushes that grow on the Wudong peak of Phoenix Mountain in the Guangdong Province in China.

Dry Visual: Dark brown and dark green with a spattering of  light green curled tea leaves. Some stems are present.  Thanks Earthbound Tea for the picture.

Dry Aroma: Distinctly oolong – the leaves smell fresh. A slight vegetal aroma.

Flavor:  A very clean and light tasting oolong, the flavor is consistent from start to finish. Moon Crest has a slightly vegetal quality,  characteristic of some “green oolongs”, but not enough that the flavor could be compared to a green tea. Definitely refreshing and flavorful, I found Moon Crest to be a palate cleanser. The finish contains fruity notes.

As I often prefer, I enjoyed this cuppa tea with no sweetener.  Naturally sweet, there is almost no astringency (just a hint) thus no sweetener is needed. With such a mild tea, I fear the flavor profile would be compromised.

Liquor: A rich golden hue.

Brewing Time: The recommended steeping time for Moon Crest is 3 minutes in 180 degree water.  I steeped for 3 minutes as recommended.

Manufacturer: Earthbound Tea

Caffeine: Yes.

Moon Crest Tea a.k.a Feng Huang Dan Cong is processed via a technique called “rattling”. As I am not familiar with this technique, it will be the subject of another post. If you have had the pleasure of enjoying a cup of Moon Crest, please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Lishan Oolong Tea aka Taiwan Lishan Wu Long

What a wonderful week I have had. No class – my cohort group had a break between the end of our Organizational Development and Change Class and the upcoming Statistics class. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the world. One would think that Tea Escapade would have daily posts. To the contrary, I took a break from blogging as well. It was much needed.  However, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been drinking tea. Every day this week, I enjoyed numerous cups of Lishan Oolong, the subject of this tea review.

Composition: Simply Taiwanese Oolong tea – nothing more and nothing less.

Dry Visual: Very green, tightly rolled tea leaves with protruding stems. Thanks Jing Tea for the picture. Although not typical of my reviews, I must state that the wet leaves were absolutely gorgeous! Probably the largest tea leaves I have ever seen. If I have time, I’ll photograph and post.

Dry Aroma: Very nutty with a distinct yet not overpowering vegetal smell.

Flavor:  Lishan Oolong is fabulous. From the first sip to the last, I was impressed by its distinct taste. This oolong begins with a mild green(vegetal) flavor, as the dry aroma suggests yet exhibits a strong nutty middle. Lishan Oolongis complex – extremely creamy with a buttery finish. In the aftertaste I detected a faint floral quality. I absolutely love the variety of flavors and full-bodied nature of this oolong.  Naturally sweet, Lishan Oolong did not require a sweetener.

Lishan Oolong appears to have been created with higher quality tea leaves. The flavor is consistent cup after cup even after four (4) infusions from the same leaves. My preference is to enjoy this tea when I have time to savor the strength of the leaves. During one of my tea drinking sessions, I was only able to steep and drink a single infusion of Lishan Oolong and was left feeling guilty the rest of the day for wasting the tea leaves.

Liquor: Very clear yet quite yellow hue.

Brewing Time: A recommended brewing time was not provided, thus reliance upon past oolong steeping experience was necessary. I steeped 1 1/4 teaspoons of Lishan Oolong for 2 minutes during the first infusion adding an additonal 2 minutes for each subsequent infusion.

Manufacturer: Jing Tea

Caffeine: Yes.

If you have had the opportunity to taste a cup or two or three or four of Lishan Oolong Tea, stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Bai Hao – White Tip Supreme Tea

Always on the lookout for a new tea, I had an opportunity to try Bai Hao – White Tip Supreme from ZoomDweebie’s. What’s a ZoomDweebie’s? According to their website, Zoomdweebie’s Tea Bar, located in Wichita, Kansas is the hip place to be square. A place to meet and have some tea – hot tea, iced tea, hot or iced tea lattes or chai – and make new friends. All while watching 80′s music videos, playing 80′s trivia, participating in or listening to a poetry/literature reading, debating the merits of the first Star Wars trilogy over the latest or vice versa. No matter what your passion, Zoomdweebie’s is where all the “cool kids” hang out!

I guess, I should talk about the tea…

Composition: Taiwanese Oolong tea.

Dry Visual: A dark and reddish brown mix of twisted tea leaves with white tips interspersed throughout. Interestingly, many of the reddish brown leaves are open versus twisted almost suggesting a different drying process. I typically do not discuss the aspects of the wet visual in my reviews, however, today I must. The whole leaves were simply beautiful after steeping – they unfurled into generous reddish-brown plump tea leave. The colors of Fall in a cup.

Dry Aroma: What I would classify as the comforting smell characteristic of oolongs – both nutty and woodsy.

Flavor: I really loved this Bai Hao – White Tip Supreme. First of all, drinking a cup of oolong tea after numerous cups of flavored teas, reminds me of my initial introduction to oolongs. The refreshing clean taste of oolong tea is prevalent in Bai Hao-White Tip Supreme that I love. This particular oolong is very sweet to the taste when entering the mouth. It is followed with a surprising, yet amazing citrus finish. Where some oolongs have more of a green taste, Bai Hao-White Tip Supreme did not. Its complex flavor favored a nutty, woodier oolong flavor profile.

One cup simply was not enough, I have had at least four. With my second subjected to a second infusion of the tea leaves. I was impressed that the flavor was consist in the second infusion although the citrus finish was no longer evident. There was not a hint of bitterness or dryness further reiterating my love of oolongs and Bai Hao – White Tip Supreme in particular. As I am sure you can guess, there was no need for a sweetener nor would I recommend one.

Liquor: A rich golden brown hue.

Brewing Time: The actual steeping time was not provided,  so I relied upon prior oolong steeping recommendations for an average time of  2 – 5 minutes at pre-boil.  I decided to alternate my steeping times with each cup starting with 2 minutes, but testing at 3 and 5 minutes as well. My sweet spot was 4 minutes.

Manufacturer: Zoomdweebie’s

Caffeine: Yes.

I really loved Bai Hao-White Tip Supreme Tea. If you have had an opportunity to try this tea, stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Ti Kuan Yin Tea

Just a few weeks ago, while Twittering, I learned about a new tea company… Ocean of Tea, an organic tea company whose opening website statement says…  “We believe our tea can change the world. Literally.” Obviously, I was intrigued.

Ocean of Tea utilizes the latest in environmentally friendly packaging methods with the goal of  changing the tea business for the better. “We realize that the majority of people drinking and pursuing tea, are also educating themselves and trying to minimize their environmental footprint. That is the basis for Ocean of Tea.”  Not only is this environmentally conscious tea company working to provide ”green” tea packaging materials, they also offer several teas (and plan to add more) that donate a percentage of each order to purchase carbon credits to offset the emissions produced by delivery. But that’s not enough for Ocean of Tea – soon they plan to allow customers to purchase tea tins that come with a return mailer to mail back and get a discounted refill.  Radical?Well, armed with this knowledge, sampling teas from Ocean of Tea was inevitable. Ti Kuan Yin is the first.

 

Composition: Chinese Oolong Tea.

Dry Visual: Very green rolled (in tight balls) tea leaves with evidence of some stems. Many thanks to Ocean of Tea for the picture.

Dry Aroma: Mildly vegetal.

Flavor:  I found Ti Kuan Yin to be flavorful yet mild. It is a complex tea in that there were multiple flavors present when tasting. Initially, I detected a slightly roasted flavor, while the finish was somewhat buttery. As Ti Kuan Yin began to cool, there were subtle yet distinctly green undertones. (Not completely a surprise considering the dry aroma was mildly vegetal.)

No sweetener was required which is typical of my past oolong experience. In actuality, that is what I love about oolongs – their distinct flavor and natural sweetness.

Liquor: A yellow almost golden hue.

Brewing Time: It is recommended that you steep 2 teaspoons of Ti Kuan Yin for 3 minutes. I steeped the recommended 3 minutes for each cup of tea.

Manufacturer: Ocean of Tea

Caffeine: Yes.

If you have had an opportunity to enjoy a cup of Ti Kuan Yin, please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Dark High Mountain Dong Ding

As always, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to enjoy another new tea. Especially as I sit in my office reviewing a resume, my day was brightened with the first sip. There is simply something magical about tea. This morning’s selection… Dark High Mountain Dong Ding.

Composition: A Taiwanese oolong tea from the Dong Ding tea mountain.

Dry Visual: Dark green almost brown loose tea shaped similar to gunpowder green tea. Thanks Pearl Fine Teas for the picture.

Dry Aroma: I was very surprised by the sweet aroma of Dark High Mountain Dong Ding. Immediately I could tell it was an oolong, yet there was hint of something different – I am inclined to call nutty. After steeping the wet aroma contained distinct charcoal notes.

Flavor: Delicious. I have developed a great love for oolongs and am quite pleased with the abundance of flavor – Dark High Mountain Dong Ding is fairly robust. It has a roasted flavor that is perfectly balanced with a natural sweetness.  The flavor left on the tongue is definitely nutty. The dry aroma did not disappoint. The second infusion produced a milder taste. I added about 1/2 teaspoon of honey which rounded out the roasted flavor. However, I think I prefer to drink without sweetener.

Liquor: A rich amber hue.

Brewing Time: Recommended brewing time is 30 seconds to 2 minutes.  I brewed for 2 minutes during the first infusion and 4 minutes during the second infusion.

Manufacturer: Pearl Fine Teas

Caffeine: Yes.

Dark High Mountain Dong Ding is delicious. A nice spin on some of the other oolongs I have enjoyed in the past. The combination of flavors… nutty, yet sweet, but roasted… creates a very complex tea. If you have enjoyed this tea, stop by and let me know what you think.

I tried to do some research on Taiwanese tea mountains with little success – as I was specifically looking for Dong Ding. I came across several variations of the name for example… Tung-Ting and Dong-Ting both of which refer to one of the largest lakes in China. However, nothing on the tea mountain. Any information would be appreciated.

Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Okayti Darjeeling Autumn Flush Oolong

My latest tea experience was Okayti Darjeeling Autumn Flush Oolong I received as a swap from Jessica of Authori+ea. Thanks Jessica! Sadly, this wonderful tea has been sitting in my tea stash for over a month waiting for me to brew and sample. With great anticipation, I steeped in my new mug from Sur La Table. Yes, the mug I have yet to take pictures of and post – sometimes I move at a snails pace. Not intentionally, just too many things to do. Enough of my ramblings… let’s talk tea.

Composition: According to the packaging, artisan whole leaf black tea blend. This darjeeling tea is grown in the high altitude Himalayan foothills.

Dry Visual: Earthy mix of greens, browns, and tan. The leaves appear to be broken. Thanks Mighty Leaf for the wonderful picture.

Dry Aroma: Slightly woodsy 

Flavor: Fantastic! Naturally sweet, I almost ruined the natural flavor by adding a sweetener prior to tasting. Thank goodness I stopped myself! Okayti Darjeeling Autumn Flush Oolong has a light feel in the mouth – very clean with no dryness. If you want to add sweetener you can, but it is not necessary.

Liquor: Deep amber, almost rust.

Brewing Time: Recommended brewing time is 3 – 5 minutes.  I decided to brew for 4 minutes.

Manufacturer: Mighty Leaf Tea

Caffeine: Yes

Okayti Darjeeling Autumn Flush Oolong is great tea for Oolong drinkers. It was simply delicious and a welcome diversion from the world of flavored teas. If you get a chance to try it, return and comment. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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