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My Swiss friend sent me a Christmas gift, an Around the World in 8 Teas Selection Box by Curious Tea, a company I wanted to try for long time (but I never told her). And as it is a box with diverse teas, it is perfect to try some less known regions, and get some interesting teas.

Honestly, this one sounded the most unique and as I have been in mood of oolong today; and I wanted to try something completely new to me — flavoured one, I just took it out and used half of 10 grams I have received for gongfu brewing. It is Spring 2021 harvest, which is a little sad — but I hope they store their teas well.

After opening the pouch, I was hit by rice aroma, but also with some florals and… sadly a cardboard. But it seems it was the pouch itself as nothing from that when I added measured amount to the preheated gaiwan. I also added a water to it later on, not as a rinse, but to “wake up” the leaves a bit.

This is indeed very fragrant tea. I got, after first, 15 seconds steep, very rice aroma, somehow with vanilla (how?) and creamy notes. Tastewise, it’s sticky, it’s rice, it’s creamy. Vanilla isn’t that present. I read a few tasting notes for What-cha’s offer of very same tea and some said it is like drinking water after boiling rice. I never tasted that, but it’s very probably similar. The aftertaste lingers long and with creamy note on the top.

2nd steep was 30 seconds long, I got certainly more oolong-y aroma, high in florals with vanilla, now I got custard in taste, followed with sweet vanilla notes, rice in the background, again with lovely creamy aftertaste.

3rd, again an increment of 15 seconds (maybe I do too big steps…), I get again more oolong-y taste, that “green” vegetal notes, green beans a bit. Those notes overpower the creamy ones, vanilla is gone, and rice will be gone soon as well I think. Afterall, they recommend 3 steeps :)