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Tried this after ordering from Mandala. The color is beautiful—very golden and the leaves are light and airy. This is a beautiful pillowy tea. Sadly the taste doesn’t seem to match. The tea has a strange fruity aftertaste that I find unnerving. Not my favorite by a long shot.

This was included as a sample from Mandala. I was skeptical at first—most white teas I’ve had are so subtle that it’s like sipping warm water. But just one glance showed this to be something different. It had large fluffy white leaves alongside dark brown/black leaves, as if it was a blend of white and black tea. In fact, it’s all white tea, but some leaves have been oxidized and this presents an interesting contrast.

I wish I had read the steeping directions more carefully and noticed that others have gotten so many steepings from their White Night. I steeped my sample for 3 minutes, which is far too long for a first steeping. I’m looking forward to trying some more of this but will be more careful how I use it.

Tried to brew these using the method on the package—try 1, 2, then 5 min steeps with 2-3 cones for 8 oz water.

Second steep: A bit better than the first, but only just.

I’m going to try the 5 min steep, but overall I think these cones require much more time.

Tried to brew these using the method on the package—try 1, 2, then 5 min steeps with 2-3 cones for 8 oz water.

First steep: Very bland. This tastes flat with nothing really going on. The cones do unfirl nicely, but there isn’t much fragrance or taste. No aftertaste to speak of. None of the richness, chocolately, spicey tastes that you’d expect from a yunnan.

Second infusion—better than the first. I usually add 15 seconds or so to each infusion, this was a nice steeping. Leaves a beautiful charcoal color and somewhat fragrant, the cup was nice, mellow, slightly sweet with no unpleasant aftertaste.

Basically, if you’re looking for an everyday oxidized oolong, this is a good one to pick.

First infusion—light colored for a roasted oolong. No bitterness or astringency, a smooth and satisfying cup.

Stands up to multiple infusions, start with shorter infusions

Initial infusion, leaves unfolded beautifully, a very pretty cup. Taste was sweet and fragrant.