Formosa Jade Oolong

Delightfully brisk, floral, and nutty aroma as well as a pretty light gold color. Refreshing aroma, surprisingly sweet, but with some vegetal flavors at the end. Overall pleasant, although I’m not a fan of the syrupy feeling it leaves behind in the back of the mouth and throat. First quality oolong I’ve bought, though, and pleased with it.

Hm… I don’t know why I didn’t like this the first time. You know how when you have a bad tea experience, it can turn you off all types of that tea for a while? I think it had to do with a matcha that had recently made me very, very sick, and I was not really up for any green-looking teas at the time. I do remember it making me a bit sick before, but it didn’t this time. Tonight I was careful to drink it with food. It’s probably lost some flavor because I’ve had it for a while now (and I purchased it on clearance at the time), but it’s a really good tea. Buttery, sweet, floral, a little bit nutty. No big caffeine jolt or harsh flavors at night before bed. No astringency at all — just a perfectly pleasant, light tea.

Trying this Western style for the first time. It’s just not the same!!!

This was a Christmas present from my husband which was initially chosen for it’s name as my middle name is Jade. It finally has a beautiful flower caddy now so I can open and try this Oolong after two months of waiting.

I will be following these instructions for my tea:

Water : 3oz / 85ml – 194℉ / 90℃
Use 7 Grams Tea
8 steeps : rinse,25s,25s,30s,40s,60s,90s,120s,180s
Gaiwan
Rinsing time is around 5 seconds

The Oolong balls are a mixture of medium and dark greens which have an average size of roughly 4mm.
Closer sniff-spection reveals a sweet (like honey), mineral, grass/straw like scent.

A picture of the balls:
http://tinypic.com/r/24pw6f5/8

First steep – 25 seconds
Subtle, honeyed, flowers and perfumed. Makes me think of rain pouring onto the leaves of a honeysuckle flower.

Second Steep – 25 seconds
Not as sweet as the previous steep but it is just as gentle. Also getting a creaminess coming through.

Third Steep – 30 seconds
Increasing in flavour but still remaining soft in thickness. The peach is really coming through nicely, sweet yet crisp. Also still very creamy.

Fourth Steep – 40 seconds
Very floral, sweet and creamy. Like honey suckle and peach but mild versions of each. Some dryness and perfume in the after taste.

Fifth Steep – 60 seconds
Much stronger now, peach is still shining through as is the honey suckle. A very nice strength now.

Sixth Steep – 90 Seconds
Remains creamy and silken. Peach is toned down but sweet flowers still very much present.

Seventh Steep – 120 seconds
Still a lot of flavour and no harshness though some mineral vegetal flavours coming through like sweetcorn mixed with fresh spinach.

Eigth Steep – 180 seconds
Lighter now and the sweetcorn has taken over the peach. Still floral and sweet with high creamy notes.

Overall –
It’s a nice Oolong that is sweet and floral whilst being light yet creamy (for the most part). Nice elements of peach and sweetcorn are found throughout and a hint of perfume in the after taste.

I prefer stronger Oolongs that are more mineral and green but this was very nice, the balance was superb and I think it would be great iced. So while it may not be one of my usual favourites I’m still thankful I bought 2oz of this.