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“My first steep of this was “Hey, this is a pretty good green-ish oolong, but not anything I haven’t tasted before. Hellllllooooo Orchid?” BUT My second steep is redolent of the finest vanilla...” Read full tasting note
“This is a gift from the lovely JacquelineM! I was really eager to try this tea way back when I first read Jacqueline’s tasting note on it. I never dreamed she was going to send me some of that...” Read full tasting note
An exceptional oolong infused with the aroma and oils of fresh orchids. A crisp, light taste with an intoxicating aroma and beautiful liqueur.
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My first steep of this was “Hey, this is a pretty good green-ish oolong, but not anything I haven’t tasted before. Hellllllooooo Orchid?”
BUT
My second steep is redolent of the finest vanilla extract. I say extract because there is a particular boozy, intoxicating quality to this flavor. It’s floral, and delightful and downright lavish! I actually stopped what I was doing and said, “Oooh!”
I just have a teeny ounce of this from my birthday gift certificate from this now defunct shop, but I am definitely searching for another orchid oolong to keep in my cupboard, because woah – this is fantastic and so up my alley!
Have you had an Orchid Oolong you’re crazy about? Do tell! I’m in the market!
This is a gift from the lovely JacquelineM!
I was really eager to try this tea way back when I first read Jacqueline’s tasting note on it. I never dreamed she was going to send me some of that precious final ounce!
I made this in my eight ounce glass pot. I washed the leaves for about 20 seconds or a shade less, then steeped for two minutes. I set the pot on the tea table as I went to the kitchen to get something, and when I came back there was a light, lovely floral fragrance to greet me! The liquor is pale gold to medium gold. The aroma is lightly creamy/ buttery with a very, very slight nutty note if you really look for it, instead of the really roasty/smokey flavors you find in the darker oolongs. But mostly this is a lovely floral escape!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jacqueline!
Haven’t ventured into orchid oolongs yet, but my favorite oolong, Spring Dragon, is super-floral — like a big armful of lilacs!
LadyL – went pawing through your cupboard and saw it is from Upton. Sounds FANTASTIC and I def want to put it in my next order from them. Mmmmmm lilacs.
Same here! I am getting more into oolongs and want to place an Upton order anyway, so I think I will put this one on my list as well. I still want that tea scale!
I haven’t tried the Upton Oolongs yet, but the best Orchid Oolong I have ever tasted came from The Art of Tea: http://www.artoftea.com/catalog/orchid-oolong-p-75.html
They also have some great sample packs, including their Oolong sampler which includes their award winning Mandarin Silk Oolong. :)
The second and third steeps often bring out the most intense flavors of these lush and naturally sweet teas.
Any tea that’s redolent of anything has to be good! A thousand points for the vocabulary word and Happy Friday!
@E Alexander Gerster – I looked at that sampler. It looks like a must have! Thank you for recommending!
honestly….if you get the chance…Republic of tea has an orchid oolong that is actually quite good…I get it every year as a gift to one friend of mine who swoons every time they open it….its clean, creamy, passionately orchid floral, and is lightly oxidized….give it a shot…I’ve made ice cream and sorbet from it and it was amazing against pears when I poached them in a simple syrup make from it..
E Alexander Gerster – I’ve been meaning to order from them for forever and a day! This will most likely push me over the edge, as I’m still thinking about that orchid oolong a full day later!
Kaashyap – thanks for the rec! I’ve never seen it in any of the stores so I looked it up online – all of their Imperial Republic teas look intriguing! That Snow Rose…!
Get thee to Shang Tea and try their Clear Jade Orchid Oolong. (or something) I really really loved that one.
Thanks Angrboda – I will look that one up!