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Daylon R Thomas drank 99% Oxidized Purple Oolong by Tealyra (formerly Tealux)

1733 tasting notes

This was on my wishlist, and LiquidProust sent me the perfect sized sample of it! This is thank you #2.

The leaves themselves aren’t purple, but for whatever reason, it comes to mind smelling and tasting it though the color is brown. It’s a lot like polish, or stained wood. I’d maybe guess that the wood would be a cherry wood, because that’s the best guess as to the hidden sweetness. There some creaminess to it, but more in texture than actual taste. This goes for the first steep. To liven it up, I added a little bit of raw sugar, and for me, the cherry and almost coffee berry note were disinterred from the earthy, smoke, woodsy body. Probably wouldn’t be bad with cream, but I’m going for purity right now.

On steep two after four minutes, the tea is significantly smoother, and it’s cherry wood to the fullest. Reminds me of a Halloween fog machine.

Steep three is a lighter version of steep two, but smoother. A little bit smokier to me than the other two, but I tasted some of it earlier in those steeps as well.

In summary, this is a very unusual roasted tea to me. It’s got the same wood and earth character of darker oolongs, but with a cherry polish-the kind you would smell in an old ornate home or hotel.I think the taste should perhaps be close to a 80 in terms of quality, but I had a slightly biased expectation for coffee and sweetness. I expected the fishiness: I had a purple tea before and it tasted exactly like crab. I am really glad that I got to try it, and it is definitely worth trying. Not something I’d ever recommend to a newbie though; more for an adventurous taster.

Flavors: Cherry Wood, Earth, Musty, Smoke, Smooth

Preparation

205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 7 OZ / 207 ML

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First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.