Finally trying this tea because it’s Monday and I deserve it.
First steep, 205F/1 minute: YUM! This is the most true rose flavor that I have had the chance to try. The sweetness of the oolong makes this taste like candied rose petals without the bitterness! Soo tasty! On the beginning of the sip, I’m still getting that bit of custard/papaya that I got from the Magnolia Oolong, perhaps it is the butteriness of the oolong blending with the flowers from both that is creating that flavor. Still excellent.
Second steep, 205F/1:30: A little greener taste, like the smell of rose stems, has creeped in. This tea is still so sweet and flavorful that I feel like I put too much sweetener in, but I haven’t sweetened it at all! The rose + sweet really lingers on your tongue. Minerality is creeping in as it cools.
Third steep, 205F/2 minutes; the rose scent has taken on a slight bitter quality, like rose oil. The base is coming through much more in this steep, and I can taste the sweet vegetal minerality of the fully unfurled oolong, a French green bean/ broccoli stem type of flavor. Still delicious.
I got one more steep out of this at 2:30, the vegetal notes upped in power, but it was till sweet and smelled of roses. Cold steeping this tonight.
Flavors: Candy, Custard, Plant Stems, Rose, Sweet