99% Oxidized Purple Oolong

Thank you Andrew for this wonderful sample!

I asked to receive this solely because it said purple. I am sucker for the unique, regardless of flavor or quality. I opened my package and took a peek at my purple nuggets. My first thought is that purple must be a very loosely used term. These small glossed pebbles are a deep crimson in my eyes. I had just under the amount I usually use in my mini gaiwan for gong fu, but I decided to brew it anyways. I washed them once and allowed them to open up. The aroma was of roasted coffee and smoke. This had a very bold and mudded scent to it. The initial flavor was truly unique. It carried the same bold message but softened it with some fungal tones. The leaves did not fully unfurl until well into multiple steeping. The flavor become more fungal and sweet as the session went on. However, it continued to have a coffee grinds aftertaste each brewing. This was an interesting tea. Would I purchase it? No, I dont think its for me. I really dislike when a company shows something different than what they are actually selling, however good the product may be. I appreciate an honest image, and the image they had up would have me buy this tea in a heartbeat. Its a unique tea, and I could see myself trading other teas for this.

https://instagram.com/p/0×3gvgTGSP/?taken-by=haveteawilltravel

I bought this because it sounded unique, as many might have. This produces a dark liqueur for an oolong , which can be expected by the color of the tea, and can be used for multiple steeps. The leaves are quite beautiful when they are unraveled. The taste is bolder than what I can handle drinking for a few cups so this tea is generally used for a smaller session of drinking.

This tea is definitely made for anyone who smokes cigarettes. It has a pronounced taste of tobacco with hints of Morel Mushrooms, alongside a hint of Musk. It is definitely not a tea for the faint of heart. If you like strong, woodsy teas, then dial this one up.

When I first opened the package of this tea, I was pleased. It has a lovely roasted, toasty, and almost-sweet smell that reminded me of a really good cup of Central American coffee. The taste didn’t disappoint! It had a very oolong flavor, with roasted and cinnamon notes. The initial steep reminds me of the flavor of a piece of toast with cinnamon-sugar on it. Lovely. It’s not as naturally sweet as the scent of the brew would lead you to believe, though.

i love oolongs, sumatra tea, and purple. but this tea did not live up to expectations. also, why are you supposed to steep this at 206, won’t that scald it? i just don’t see this being the next big thing. wanted to love this, but now that i’ve tried it, i don’t even care to have a second steeping, so there you go.

I’ve tried to like this tea, but it just smells burnt. The first time I made a cup, I smelled the infusion and I almost threw up, the liquor is much better little astringency but the aroma still tastes burnt.