jLteaco (fongmongtea)

A tasty oolong, for sure. It’s not really coming off as a milky-style oolong to me, but it’s pretty good. The first infusion was floral and fruity, reminiscent of Fong Mong’s Fruity Sijichun oolong, but I’m finding the second infusion to be comparatively better. It’s coming off smoother and less “green”, with a delicious round, fruity flavour. For the money, I’d go for this over the Fruity Sijichun simply because it re-steeps better. Wish I had compared the two side-by-side, but I haven’t been in the mood for that sort of thing lately!

Thanks again for the sample, Fong Mong Tea!

I apologize; this tea deserves a better tasting note than I have energy to write. It is a delicious, somewhat floral, creamy oolong though, and that’s what I needed/wanted tonight. Looking forward to trying the rest of my oolong samples from Fong Mong Tea! I did reserve enough of this to try it again when I have time to properly review it.

Sipdown, 240. I sneakily got rid of a partial sample that was not worth saving, so I dropped one more tea in the interim. This is an old sample and probably not enough leaf for the cup, but I am steeping it longer to make up for it.

Hmm, not the black tea for me this morning. Floral, definitely, which usually would be a good thing for me but they are just not working for me here. Almost perfumy. There are aspects that I do enjoy, like it seems to have a hint of chocolate under everything, and toward the end of the sip it seems to meld and form a pleasant taste, but at the beginning those perfume notes are so strong that it puts me off it a bit.

I definitely jumped on the chance to get some free samples from Fong Mong Tea, especially after early reviews for their teas were coming back really positive. I asked for this one in order to further my education of black teas! I’ve never had a black tea from Taiwan. The leaves are very long and spindly and difficult to dish out, but hopefully I got the right amount in my cup. They smell kind of chocolatey, but also kind of roasted and they remind me a bit of a dark oolong in aroma.

After steeping the scent is fairly different from the black teas I’ve been drinking regularly. Almost floral? It’s kind of weird, but I think it’s just cause I’m not used to a black tea smelling floral. What a unique tea! It’s like I can taste more standard black tea flavors underneath it, but over top there is a flavor profile I am just not used to. I agree that I get the sensation of mint without actual mintiness. The chocolatey-ness comes out, but there are some… florals? I guess? It’s hard to put my finger on. Maybe piney and minerally, the way some dark oolongs are piney and minerally. Maybe a bit resin-y, like a retisna wine. I think I might have used a little much leaf as this cup has the tiniest hint of bitterness to it, mostly in the aftertaste.

I reall appreciate the chance to try this tea, thank you Fong Mong! It isn’t a flavor profile I normally go for but I am definitely enjoying the cup.

This is WONDERFUL! Sunshine in a cup! Delicious and hydrating! Sweet and slightly creamy. Underneath reminiscent of sugar snap peas! Lovely! I will be doing a full length review over at Sororitea Sisters on July 7th :)

Okay! I’m starting with my Fong Mong samples today! I picked this one out as a variety I haven’t tried before. The little leaf nuggets are smaller than the green oolongs I’ve had before. And they smell so floral and good! Like sun dried grass and lilacs. Mostly lilacs. I think.

I see that the instructions say to steep for 6 minutes. Eep. That’s a long time isn’t it? Maybe it’s for western steeping. I’m doing my usual gong fu style so I think I’ll do it my own way for now.

First steep: mmm… lightly floral. There’s a bit of something like cooked summer squash. There’s a light fresh sweetness with a clean finish. This might be a winner as a cold brewed tea. This tea definitely tastes like summer harvest vegetables to me.

Second Steep: More floral and lightly vegetal. It’s delicate and sweet. Vaguely fruity. I can’t place that fruitiness. Maybe a subtropical fruit of some sort. This tea is really impressive so far. The smell and flavor makes me think of a garden of fragrant blooms and fresh summer squash.

Third & fourth Steep: I combined these two. It’s getting a bit more vegetal now, but the floral character is still very strong! This tea is well named! It’s still very light and refreshing. Hmm..I think I’m detecting something like apple skin. It doesn’t leave any lingering dryness or creaminess or thickness on the tongue like other teas do. It is, however, smooth and comforting going down. Very very good.

Steep five: I spilled some tea on my pants. Now I smell awesome. :) The veggie and floral flavors seem to reach an equilibrium in this infusion. Still tastes light, fresh and lovely. I’m beginning to tire of this tea though. Ah, my fickle tastebuds.
The leaves have also opened up quite a bit now. They smell fantastic! Like the best smelling blossoms ever grown. And this is why I will always love green oolongs.

I’m going to save these leaves for later. Judging from their appearance, I can probably get one more steep from them, at least.

My second cup (infusions # 3 & 4) was even better than the first. So sweet. The fruit notes and the floral notes seem to have melded into one unique flavor that is unlike anything that I’ve ever tasted … it is just so good. This cup almost hints at being creamy, but nothing like the milky/creamy/buttery green Oolong that you might be used to. This doesn’t have that overwhelmingly creamy note like other green Oolongs typically have (Not saying that the creaminess is a bad thing or a good thing … just indicating that this is different)

I really like this tea a lot for the fact that it IS different.

I am loving this Oolong. I don’t think I’ve tried a “sun-link-sea” Oolong before, so I really didn’t know what to expect, but, based upon my previous experience with Fong Mong’s tea I was pretty sure I’d like it. And I do.

This reminds me a little bit of a magnolia scented Oolong, it has that delightful floral note to it, but there is more to it too. There is a fruit note to this … Tea Pantheon describes is as an apple-like flavor, and I can see that comparison, it makes me think of a dry, sweet-and-sour apple wine … if there is such a thing.

Where this tea differs from the typical magnolia scented Oolong is that it doesn’t have that very buttery-creamy kind of taste to it. It has a light softness to it, but, it isn’t overwhelmingly creamy. It has more of a spring flower taste to me: light, crisp and fragrant, with hints of greener vegetation in the background.

Very nice.

Enjoying the last of this fine tea from a sample I received. See previous notes but this one is special.

This is my first sample from Fong Mong Tea as well as my first Sun Moon Lake.
Is it possible that a black tea can taste vegetal?
I think so – to me anyway.
Smells like a warm inviting soup broth.
Mmmmmm
Mushroom soup! Thats it!
This tea is one to savor – like being invited into a top chef’s kitchen and offered to sip from his big pot of slowly simmering soup. A “soup” that needs to be allowed to breathe and collect subtle nuisances of flavor over time. An aged soup perhaps? If there is such a thing.
This tea speaks to you as if it is knowing of secrets held within old trees, running streams that have spread gossip from one watering hole to the next and the memories of vegetation along the way.
I think of immense spans of wooded lands, with the ripe smell of oak moss and dew on green leaves. Intoxicating!
Yes vegetal, spicy with flecks of sparks dancing on the top and tip of the tongue. Leather, woods, mushrooms, and chocolate notes bow like a gentleman before my palate.
A champagne tea that sparkles all the way down.
Happiness.
Thank you Fong Mong Tea for this gift of a sample of your precious collection!

Second tasting note.

The first tasting of this Black Tea had been memorable and I do really love this type of tea. Coming back a second time is always a good idea. As I read reviews I notice that sometimes a person goes bleh the first time and yum the second and visa versa. Just like first impressions with people, you should give second chances.
I liked this tea the first time I tasted it very much. Today is another day…so here’s my second opinion:

The tea tasted malty and full of cocoa flavor as before, but this time there was something new that I hadn’t noticed during my first review.
Licorice.
Maybe the chocolatey cocoa and mint combined to create licorice…I have no way of knowing…but there was a definate licorice flavor in the tea that was dark and raisen like. This time I did feel a peppery astringency at the front of my tongue only.
I added cream and sweetened my cup as I do when the tea is very dark and rich, full of cocoa malt. This was my morning tea after all.

I didn’t enjoy the second tasting as much as the first time, but still think this is a high quality black tea.

Thank you Fong Mong Tea for this Sample

The weather is windy this afternoon, cloudy with a sprinkle of rain now and then. I am always tempted to gather my tea tray and a black tea or pu-erh when the clouds gather. Storms excite me. I huddle on the couch and watch between the pulled patio window curtains…wondering if there will be lightening over the mountain behind my house.

There was a single Black Tea sample packed in the sample box from FONG MONG TEA this week. Lucky me!

The flavor of this tea was very chocolatey with light malt (a bit like the Laoshan Black Tea from Verdant, but milder). This was sweet and wet on the tongue without astringency. An icy coolness was tingling my whole mouth and was perhaps what was refered to as mint in the Steepster notes. However, I didn’t taste mint like mint leaves…but felt the coolness. The flavor is light but has depth. Real character.

So much of the world drinks Black Tea with additions. I try now and then to comment on tea for people who prefer drinking it that way.
With sweetening, this tea was enhanced a great deal (which is not always true). It became a very mellow chocolate dessert tea, with an aftertaste that was like taking a bite of pastry…and the flavor lingered!
With milk, (cream in my case)…Heaven! I could serve this to the Royals! Superb!

Here’s another bit of information I looked up. If you want to make your own “Bubble Tea” this is the tea to use. With sweetener, condensed milk, tapioca pearls, ice in a blender… this Taiwanese Tea is the type that is used. (Don’t put the pearls in until after blending of course and you can add fruit also).

Really tasty tea. The flavor does not end. I mean it! It’s been a while since I finished my cups of tea and I can still taste the flavor clearly! I want more!

Second tasting…thanks to Fong Mong Tea!

I have a new iPad…woo hoo! Bound to happen that I’d come home to Apple. My first computer was a Mac. I lived in Cupertino (Home of Apple) and worked off and on in Apple offices (not uncommon in Silicon Valley). After 4.5 years with a HP Laptop I’ve seen the light.
Yes, I have to pay for it over time…but it had to be done soon. My computer was whimpering, letting me know that a fatal crash was imminent.
My tea drinking is more like work today. I hate that!!!
In the middle of transfering ‘stuff’ from the HP to an external hard drive (for my iPad), setting up all the things I need on the iPad, erasing my personal ‘Stuff’ from my Kindle Fire to give to my granddaughter :) my tea review is going to sound aweful!

Sorry Fong Mong Tea!

Why didn’t I choose a crappy tea on a mentally challenging day? After all, my abilities are slow…really slow!
On stressful or busy days, everyone needs good tea!
Crappy tea fails to make you feel better.
Bad tea never stops you cold in your tracks and reminds you to take a second and reflect…
“Uh huh…I can do this task…I am drinking a very floral tea with a cool mint undertone that is wonderful. This is a tea I remember liking before…sweet and fruity.”
This is what I did.
I drank a really good tea on a stressful day! I drank several small steepings and smiled at the sweet floral flavor.

Then I went on with some clarity to finish more of my iPad setup.
I’m a step closer to a blog.

Thank you to FONG MONG TEA for this lovely Sample

Yesterday a box of tea samples arrived from Taiwan! How exciting to recieve tea’s from a company that is new to me and see what the tea is like.

I picked this Oolong at random to begin with. It is fortunate that the instructions for brewing were listed here on Steepster.

My choice of equipment was a small porcelain Gaiwan. I used spring water, the steep time was 6 minutes at 212F. The leaves are hand picked, hand rolled and lovely deep green nuggets.

The liquor ranged from a dark gold on the first steeping to medium yellow then light yellow thereafter.

1. Having little experience with Oolongs, I had no preconcieved rule about what they must taste like. However, this Oolong right out of the gate struck me as an amazing experience! Like a series of bullets from a Gatling Gun I was struck with one flavor after another in rapid succession. A flavor would begin and go away, another begin and leave quickly on and on.

Wild Mint Coolness, Artichoke, Floral Orchid, Juice, Light Sparkling Water,Tingling, Minty Coolness, Smooth, Creamy and Sweet!

What kind of tea was this?

2. With the second steeping the heavy vegital taste and rapid fire flavor bullet experience ended. Now, with my head out of the clouds, I could think clearly. The wild mountain, minty coolness made me think about the creek where I used to sit by a waterfall under the canopy of coast redwood trees. It looked very prehistoric…the riverbank covered with ferns and wild orchids. Sticking my toes in the water as I used to do, and sipping this tea would be the best experience! So refreshing and mystical! Like time standing still. Thinking on this, I could imagine the influence of high mountain mists on these tea leaves. You could taste the mist in the coolness…and it moved me deeply. I noticed a warmth at the back of my throat like a ray of sunshine or the comfort of honey. A small gift from the earth in this fine tea.

3. This Oolong was not giving up at three steepings. I could tell that there were many, many beautiful steepings to go. The flavor stayed cool, sweet, smooth, buttery, juicy and lush. I let my cup cool down to see what would happen to the taste. Ha! There was no astringency or bitterness. Loved that!

Some tea’s are meant to be special. Company tea. Special occasion tea. I think this tea is one of those special tea’s and more. It is truly elegant and refined.
This Oolong should be enjoyed often!

I didn’t really get the fruity connection but that’s ok with me because I did get all of the smooth oolong goodness and it was lovely! This is a great, true Oolong to have on hand any time – any season! Clean, fresh, pure! A delight!

I infused this for twice as long as they suggested – only because I was pre-occupied with something else – Oops! But I will say that is turned out darn tasty even with me over infusing! This has a gentle flavor. It’s hydrating but also a bit creamy tasting on top of buttery and earthy notes. Yes, the taste is great, but I must say I was taken away by the aroma of the dry leaves – right from the beginning! A bit floral, a bit earthy, but I could also pick up on a delightful aroma of dates. It was wonderful!

This is quite lovely! It has a lovely Orchid note to it, which reminds me of my oldest daughter who presented me with a gorgeous orchid plant for Mother’s Day. A purple orchid, of course, as purple is my favorite color (and her name is Amethyst!)

The first two infusions produced a cup that is sweet and floral. Overall, it’s quite delicate in flavor, but, in its softness it is smooth and quite indulgent. Luxurious. I notice that as it cools, the flavors mute a bit, so it’s best to drink this one while it’s hot.

Subsequent infusions produced a stronger flavor, not quite so delicate and soft. Very floral – very orchid-like in taste. It is sweet, with hints of vegetation, and even a soft buttery note in the background. Very pleasant.

Sure…I have LIKED the other Sun moon Lake’s I have tried but THIS Sun Moon Lake is my fave thus far! There is ‘that flavor’ but magnified! It’s right where I want it to be! This is right up my alley! I’m grateful for this tea! It’s Dandy! It’s cocoa-E but with an aroma of hint of wine. It’s malty and smooth and the chocolate-E notes are quite remarkable.

Another great tea from Fong Mong. The balance between the sweet and sour flavors is just amazing. In fact, drinking this tea has convinced me to add Oriental Beauty permanently to my MUST HAVE list. No wonder Queen Elisabeth fell for it.
I have tried this tea from other vendors and it was a disapointment after disapointment.
But the tea from Fong Mong finally met my expectations. It starts slighly sour, lemony then a sweet flavor of maple candy comes forth followed by roasted chestnuts. The tea keeps its flavor for at least 4 -5 steeps hardly changing in taste. Needs longer brewing time than other oolongs. Superb!

Outstanding blend. I was never really interested in blended teas, but this one I got as a sample. I was waiting for a special occasion to try it and it came one rainy day.
The tea caught me by surprise. Such palate of flavors! You got there everything: a chocolate tasting red tea followed by a nutty roasted oolong and ending like a jasmine scented sencha.
Unusual tea, highly recommended for blue days..

This is the best Alishan Jin Xuan tea I have tasted to far. Flowery, with a sweet pecan taste, and milk fragrance which is not too overwhelming, but delicate and balanced. I have been drinking of lot of Taiwanase teas lately. Most differ little from each other, at best in potencies. So, to find a good Jin Xuan tea has not been easy. Most Jin Xuan teas are artificially flavored with milk perfume; very few can offer natural creamy milky flavor of their own. This Fong Mong is among them. The milk flavor is there, but it is not a taste of a cow milk, but milk coming from the plant. Vegetal milk. Very unusual sensation. The tea opens with the flowery outburst followed by the creaminess of resinous vegetal milk. The tea is also good for at least 4 steeps.

Baked green apples with sugar and cinnamon. Very sweet tea, fruity. I was impressed considering the low price.