Whidbey Tea

Got this for a work tea that I was curious about. Whidbey is relatively new company from the northwest and had some unique flavors. Their jasmine tends to rate the highest, but this one was a curious blend that I wanted to try.

Most of the reviews are mixed: newer drinkers are either intrigued or underwhelmed by the fainter flavor, intermediate drinkers find it pleasant and smooth, and more advanced drinkers aren’t impressed. The theme underpinning the tea is that it’s mild, easygoing, and slightly aromatic bordering on being too weak tea wise or not flavored enough.

My own thoughts on the tea agree with the consensus that it’s a little too mild and not quite fruity enough. A part of that choice could be the use of peach flavoring and a mild roasted sechung oolong. I think it’s interesting that they chose a darker oolong instead of a greener one, but I think it loses out on the fresh fruit element it could have had. It tastes more like dried mango than fresh mango, which was probably why this tea might get snubbed, especially with the higher price and competitors like Lupicia. I also think that the peach flavoring made the mango a little too subtle. Sometimes, I actually need some honey to bring out the other flavors.

What I do like about it is that the tea is still tasteable and it’s not strong. It’s nice to have something that’s actually pretty soothing for my throat and stomach. The combo of the mango and peach hints with a nutty floral oolong is actually nice-it reminds me a lot of milder dancongs that I’d use for a digestive. Oddly enough, the oolong is also more floral when you cold brew it .

I’m happy I got to try this because I think it’s pretty different from other mango oolongs, but I think it’s underwhelming and overpriced.