Oriental Beauty

How have I never logged this tea when i’ve had it for about 2 months now??? Anyway, I love this tea. It’s a darker oolong, but has some notes of rock fruits like peach and plum, but has a sweetness on the end of the flavor. This tea also dries my mouth out a little bit, it’s strange really. Most of my mouth feels moisturized (?) by the tea except for the center of my tongue, where it feels dry. Very interesting experience.

I love this. The first steeping was really earthy, and really light. Second time around, it became very fruity and a bit floral, with a lot more depth. I hope to have a chance for a third steeping before I have to go out for the rest of the day!

It has not been bitter for me either time around…so far. First steeping was 4 minutes, second I kind of lost track but think it was around 5 1/2 minutes. More more more!

First steep

Subtle oolong smell. Surprisingly bitter for an oolong, but otherwise nothing out of the ordinary. Virtually no aftertaste.

Unobtrusive. Tasty. Definitely worth a second steep.

Steep time & temp as recommended, but it much too bitter. Next time, I try 2 minutes.
A slight fruity taste, but just too overpowered.

For the first steeping, I used 195 F water and steeped 2 mins. The aroma was surprisingly and pleasantly strong. Minerally and slight fruity, but definitely dark for an oolong. Can almost smell the astringency. Didn’t enjoy the taste as much, felt thin.

The second steeping, I used boiling water for 3 min. I know a little unorthodox, but the tea was sitting out for a while before the 2nd steeping. Much better taste, with a slight bitter vegetal feel, however really pleasant “fruity” notes that pop across the tongue. Still tastes pretty mineral-like. Liquor was “foggy” looking with quite abit of “carbon on the bottom”, but did have nice downiness in the middle of the liquor – suspended.
Not my personal favorite, but decent. Good for eating with some prime rib, I think or beef and broccoli.