Milk Oolong, like all Oolongs, is considered a semi-fermented tea meaning it is somewhere between a black and green tea. Over the years, production methods have remained unchanged for the most part although some aspects like withering temperatures have been automated and regulated. This very special Taiwanese Oolong is produced from tea leaves picked at a certain temperature, altitude, soil conditions and time which creates it’s uniquely milky and silky texture. First, the leaf is plucked from gardens situated between 500 – 1200 meters, and is produced between March and December. Next, the plucked leaf is withered in air-conditioned rooms until it is has reached the desired level of fermentation. The tea is rocked, or sifted to sort the prime leaf required, and steamed over hot fire lightly. Finally the tea is dried then re-sorted to ensure leaf quality and packed.
The rolled, blue-green leaves have an intense milk aroma, like milk toffee or hard milk candy, with a slight orchid floral undertone. It smells sweet and lovely. Likewise, the bright yellow brew is incredibly aromatic and flavorful. Its scents of creamy caramel, flavors of cream, milk, coconut milk and vanilla-infused cream fade into a lingering, sweet-green aftertaste. It has finish of gardenias, ripe fruits and warm cream which are remarkably indulgent. Later infusions are greener, more floral and equally complex.
Brewing Guide: The water used to steep this tea should be about 185-195ºF or 85-90ºC. Use about 2 teaspoons (3 grams) of tea leaves for about every 5 ounces (150 milliliters) of water. A steeping time of about 3-5 minutes is recommended with more or less time depending on the desired concentration. As a rough guide, the higher the temperature of the water or the greater the amount of leaves used, the shorter the steeping time should be. The tea leaves should uncurled for full flavor. For the ultimate enjoyment, a traditional Chinese Yixing teapot is recommended for loose oolong tea. The teapot should be half filled with leaves and initially steeped for 45 seconds to 1 minute with the steeping time increased by an additional 15 seconds for each successive steeping. The leaves may be steeped multiple times.
To Enjoy: Place one teaspoon per cup into an infuser, filter or teapot. Switch the kettle off, before it boils, when you hear the water rumbling. Add the hot, but not boiling, water and infuse for 3 minutes. Serve immediately or remove leaves to prevent spoiling.
Theodor´s milky oolong tastes natural for me – I do not know if it is or not, but as they say “si non è vero, è ben trovato”, if not true then it is well made up! The taste is very oolongy but I love how it seems to develop with the water, and it tastes slightly different, different notes whenever I brew it!
Pity this is not an adequate replacement, I was checking the official price and indeed it is expensive. Funnily it is the only one of their tea where the tin cames practically free!
Yeah that one and the Yin Zhen Silver Needle.
I love Theodor tins, they are stackable and they seal so well, it is a craving. But I used to avoid the brand because I thought they were being outrageous by charging 20 euros per tin of fruit infusions! I thought ripoff and avoided it. Buying by the weight I changed my mind because the teas are so good, but I still think outrageous that all tins are the same price! Though it is a good justification to indulge on some pricey single origins!
Yes it is outrageous and I often tell myself that I probably could get the same quality tea for a lower prices elseware, where they don’t put so much effort in style/packaging. Esp. the plain teas.
But on the other hand I tell myself some day soon (I hope) I’ll have enough tins and start buying by the weight again.