Thank you Tea Ave for the sample! I’ve tried a couple jasmine oolongs now, so I was excited seeing this one included in my samples since I’ve absolutely got a point of comparison. Besides, jasmine teas really seem to work for me (jasmine whites are my favourite though; admittedly) in general.
I made a pot of this one tonight when I got home from work to drink while I watched The Voice with Tre tonight. And, I was sure to use the aroma cup as well. In fact, Tre was really interested in what I was doing so I wound up teaching him how to use it too (not like he ever will though). So thanks for that as well Tea Ave; it was cool sharing tea stuff with him!
I have to say; the aroma cup didn’t make a huge difference for me; not like it has with the other teas I’ve tried it with, anyway. Absolutely made the floral notes in the tea stand out – and was very sweet, but I didn’t personally think I made any observations I would’ve missed otherwise. I let Tre smell though; but he didn’t like it much. Then again, he really hates most things floral so I should’ve expected it.
Taste wise, I thought most of the cups from my pot tasted very consistent. The ratio of jasmine flavour compared with the natural flavours of the oolong was pretty even; neither over powered the other, and both got a chance to shine. Definitely a sweet jasmine; absolutely and completely natural tasting. I can’t imagine it’d ever find its way into “chemical” or “cheap perfume” territory!
The oolong was very soft and I tasted similar butter and cream notes to what I experienced with Ginger Lily; but I believe the two share the same base (someone correct me if that’s wrong though; I don’t have the packaging on me) so that’s not surprising. Maybe it was the flavour pairing; but I do think Ginger Lily’s “milk oolong” like flavour notes were stronger, and more drawn out. I missed that in this blend. Obviously, the floral notes were more exaggerated though – lots of orchid but also honeysuckle. Different than Ginger Lily; I also tasted more vegetal notes. Sugar snap peas, in particular. Crisp and sweet!
Final thoughts; the jasmine in this is excellent. Insanely well balanced, and completely natural tasting. Probably better than any other jasmine oolong I’ve had – or at the very least just as good. The oolong itself is also very good but less interesting here than it was in Ginger Lily.
However, taking a moment to be a little more critical – Ginger Lily is much more unique and a more surprising find for me. That, combined with the way the flavours of the oolong were brought out, is why I think it’s significantly better. While this certainly is a very good Jasmine Oolong, they aren’t terribly uncommon either. So I don’t think this is one I’d want to purchase – though I really, really did enjoy it. I still think I’d buy Ginger Lily though.
I think this note jumps around a lot but it’s also 1:00AM so bare with me.
I loved this one! I really want to try ginger lily when they open