Jian Xuan (Milk Oolong)

It’s official. Formosan oolongs are currently my favorite type of oolongs.

This is another Carolyn tea, and I’ve been drinking it pretty much all day. Haven’t bothered to refill the infuser with leaves, just been Energizer Bunnying it since at least lunch time. When I finally got around to checking the recommended business it said 180-195, but I definitely boiled the water. It didn’t seem to have an effect on it. I also stopped counting how many cups I’ve had but I’d say five easy, likely more.

It’s creamy, and it does indeed taste of milk. It’s so close at times, that I could actually fool myself into thinking that it IS milk, but the aftertaste gives it away. Sometimes it’s a little more floral and has a shy sweetness in the aftertaste, sometimes it’s more buttery and rich tasting. Occasionally there’s a hint of that vegetal, almost spinachy smell the leaves take on when they’re wet and sometimes I taste bread. Whatever the tea is deciding to do, I’m enjoying it all, so this is a definite win.

This is one of those kinds of teas that I like to watch unfurl. Put in a teaspoon or so and all of a sudden my entire infuser’s full of leaves. They brew into a color somewhere between bright yellow and copper and the tea is smooth in the mouth. There’s just a teeny teeny bit of dryness at the finish, but nothing that I can’t handle. By no means one of those teas that leaves your mouth completely devoid of moisture.

I’m liking it a lot better when it’s hot to warm [this is when having a double walled mug is crazy fantastic]. Once I go through what Carolyn sent me I’ll be ordering this one.

And now, for the first time in weeks, I’m going to bed at a decent hour. I just powered through 45 physics problems and some java programming and my brain is screaming at me for mercy. We’re finally rounding the corner towards the home stretch for the semester, and my motivation is surfacing again. Were it not for this tea, I can guarantee that I would have fallen asleep on the floor, because that’s what I did yesterday. And maybe the day before. I’m not telling.

THANKS CAROLYN.

the word “milk” in there sets you up for a really smooth cup of tea. maybe it is a bit of suggestive powers, but i totally tasted milky hints, and loved it. drank it with a spicy buffalo rendang and it kinda fit just right, oddly enough.

This is one of my favorite teas. The first time I had “milk oolong” it was at Vital-T Leaf shop in Seattle, where they brewed it for me to taste. Once I ran through that stash, I turned to the Internet to mail order some more. This particular one from Holy Mountain is one of the best of this variety I’ve mail ordered, and has been for 2 years in a row, so I will definitely order it again from them.

I find sometimes the flavor gets richer as the tea cools, and that the milky notes come out more when not scalding hot.

Today I’m beginning my long milk oolong train.. in hopes of finding the very best milk oolong. I heard good things about this tea and thought it would be nice as #1. The leaves smell like vegetables with a hint of milk. I’m almost getting a rubbery element (it’s interesting how I’m always getting a rubbery note in some of my teas) that I dislike. Steeping, the scent transforms from rubbery, milky vegetables to that true TEA smell with butter. I’m always amazed at how a tea can smell like a buttery, rich thing.

Steep #1: Sipping, I’m getting a different flavor than expected. I suppose I was expecting something far richer or creamier, but it’s nice. Definitely a milky flavor, but you kind of have to look for it in the sip. There is a nice, smooth transition into the more floral notes of the tea. Not as sweet as I thought it would be.. it’s more savory and buttery. Still very yummy.

Steep #2: A darker yellow this time. The leaves really opened up! I’m sniffing elements of buttered popcorn.. savory things, again. This is pretty good.. not terribly smooth, but not bad either. The floral taste is more present, but it still retains its buttery taste. Not as much like sweet cream as I would have liked.

In my 2-steep experience, I would say that I like this tea. It’s definitely buttery and somewhat milky, but lacks a real sweetness. This isn’t a bad choice for a milk oolong if you’re looking for less sweet cream and more salty butter.

This was my first experience with good teas and I’m so glad I tried it since it has led me down this delicious and involving path. It brews up into a beautiful golden color with only a touch of green. The smell is an inviting cream oolong smell and the taste carries through to the taste perfectly. It has a very clean taste with floral undertones and (of course) the milk taste. The tea is not flavored, it comes by this taste as a result of the conditions it grows under. As such, the taste varies from year to year as the weather varies. I am told by Cecilia that this last year was not the best milk oolong, but since it is new to me it seems marvelous. I can’t wait to try next year’s Jian Xuan!

This tea from what i hear is in its natural state with the milk scent. Its refreshingly delicious.

Very good…

Just got this tea yesterday and have to say I quite like it! Has an ever so soft milk fragrance and taste to it. Sweet and floral but not overly sweet. Gonna re-steep it a couple of times tonight.