I freaked out a little when I put this in the gaiwan because it seemed to be full of saffron-yellow powder.
Then I realized, those were osmanthus flowers. They look like the pictures of osmanthus flowers on the internet, anyway. I hope that’s what they are and not something that shouldn’t be there.
In the tin, the tea doesn’t smell much different from the usual green oolong smell. Mostly just a grassy smell with a light floral note.
Gaiwan. 195F. Rinse. 15 seconds plus 5 for each additional steep.
The tea is pale yellow, clear, and smells a little vegetal and somewhat floral. Nothing distinctive about either, to the point where a particular vegetable or flower jumped out and announced itself. It tastes the way it smells. It doesn’t have either of the things that make me love green oolongs — the butteriness or the juicy floral.
I didn’t notice much of a change through four steeps. I got none of the overt sweetness Auggy mentioned, and frankly, I felt like this was missing something.
It was supremely average. It will be going into the cold brew queue.
Flavors: Floral, Green, Vegetal
Wow, this sounds so good.