This one is thanks to Janelle! I was craving an apricot oolong and lo and behold I actually had one (with pineapple too!) There are big pieces of apricot and pineapple in this bright green bundled oolong. I used a teaspoon and a quarter to even out the amount for the sipdown..
Steep #1 // 22 min after boiling // 4 min steep
There is an off-putting scent to the cup before I take a sip… almost like the preservatives of the pineapple & apricot or something… but it disappears further down the cup. I’ve had a stray oolong actually taste like pineapple on its own, so this is the perfect pairing. The color of the cup actually is pineapple colored (yet clear of course). The flavor is nice – the pineapple blends with the oolong. I’m not sure I’m actually tasting apricot. Haven’t had too many of those anyway. I can’t really taste the oolong on its own. The pineapple could have tasted fresher though… there was something preservative-like about it… like a candied pineapple rather than a freshly chopped juicy pineapple, but that is to be expected. Dries the mouth a bit, though it’s thirst quenching in a way. I could probably drink the entire cup within seconds.
Steep #2 // 22 min after boiling // 6-7 min
I would think 6-7 minutes would oversteep these leaves (it was Davidstea’s suggestion) but they really didn’t. It makes the oolong taste more like the pineapple and the pineapple has lost that preservative flavor, so it’s a better cup. (Maybe I should have rinsed the leaves the first cup?) There is a mellowness and a sweetness to it. I’m really surprised these leaves didn’t get tangy. I had the second steep with some actual pineapple chunks with my breakfast this morning. I love pineapple. This isn’t a bad blend – I would have liked more apricot flavor.
