Nonpareil Taiwan Li Shan Oolong Tea

This enjoyable high quality tea is refreshing and delicate. Tightly rolled, a lovely smooth, balanced oolong with floral overtones in the aroma. Greenish-yellow tea liquor which at times, yields both vegetal and buttery tastes in the sip. Li Shans are lightly oxidized and, therefore, resembling green teas in some ways. Delicious and easy to drink cup.

The dry tea smells lightly roasty and floral. While brewing, I can pick up some fruity aromas, like grape.

The flavor of the brewed tea is smooth and roasty. It has a subtle spinach flavor. I don’t really taste any of the floral or fruity notes from the aroma, but that’s ok, because I still really like this one!

I brewed this for 2 minutes using 208 degree water, but I wonder if I might like it more if it was steeped a little longer. I have enough for one more cup, so I think I’ll try it to see.

Water: 8oz

Leaves: tiny medium green circles

Steep: 1m

Aroma: grassy

Color: yellowish green

Taste: This tea was the first Oolong I’ve had in a while since I haven’t been making tea as often. What I found surprising upon opening the package was the non floral aroma that most Oolongs carry. This time it was more of a grassy aroma that you find with green tea. I went on to brewing next, I checked the instructions and i noticed that I was supposed to use 1 tablespoon of tea, which is more than what I normally use of 1 tsp per cup. So I gave them a fifteen second rinse then continued brew for 1 minute. The flavor was very light almost bland but as it sat for a few minutes I noticed that the flavors intensified it was a bit bolder now. Overall a very nice Oolong if you looking for something non-floral and on the lighter end.

Backlog:

I love LiShan Oolongs! And Teavivre is one of the best companies when it comes to awesome Taiwan Oolong teas!

As I said in the intro of my full-length review: http://sororiteasisters.com/2014/12/11/nonpareil-taiwan-li-shan-oolong-tea-from-teavivre/ – I knew I was going to be a happy sipper when the first sound I emitted when I tasted this tea was “mmmm” and the first words I uttered were, “Oh my goodness, this is lovely!”

And lovely, it is!

Creamy, smooth, sweet. No bitterness or astringency. Sweet, warm cream notes with hints of orchid, and whispers of peach, melon and apple. Later infusions became more unified, creating a medley of the fruit notes that meld with the lovely florals. Still creamy, the creaminess becomes a little subdued and mingles with the other flavors.

A definite must try!

Light Oolong that is golden yellow in color and has a baked floral aroma. It is light, crisp, and sweet with a very nice floral flavor. The flavor is not overpowering and there is a slight bit of savoriness to it.