Tung Ting

The jasmine magnolia oolong just wasn’t what I was looking for so I gave it to the husband (who enjoys jasmine teas more than I do) and decided to bust open this sample. Mmm, good choice. This is buttery and has notes that remind me of a milk oolong – that sweet, creamy, almost fruity taste (that I sometimes read as Juicy Fruit gum). As it cools, there’s even a faint kettle corn like tastes. I would totally buy this one.
^5.1g/10oz

Lovely!

I’m struck by the pure taste of gardenias and jasmine in this—yet it’s not “flavored”. It just tastes so…pretty!!

Creamy white flowers. Slightly toasty, steamy “green-ness”. HInts of peach and banana.

Like the tropics in a glass.

What a beautiful tea! :)

Chaou Zhou clay teapot, tea to cover the bottom of pot in 2 layers. The dry tea consists of small (5mm and smaller), rolled-up nuggets with bits of stem attached. Very dark green, with rich vegetal scent to match. First infusion at 195F, 1 min, liquor is a buttery yellow with buttery taste to match, and full-mouthed body which lingers on. A floral note which is faint, but being that this is the first infusion, raises my expectations tremendously. Second infusion, 190F, 30 sec, the florality is a little more noticeable, rose and lilac perhaps, with an underlying sweetness like new-mown hay. Third infusion, 200F, 1 min, the tea has unrolled so that the teapot is almost full of leaves. The body and sweetness of this tea are, to me, its most remarkable qualities. Very enjoyable. And speaking of quality, the freshness of this oolong is outstanding, and essential.

Enjoying this tea during gossip girl tonight.

This is a review for Tung Ting Oolong bought at the Tea Gallerie in San Diego.

I almost misjudged this tea. I love oolongs, but have only really had rock oolongs or other long-leafed varieties. I decided to try this one out because I was looking for something a little different.

It’s much less sweet than I am used to with other oolongs. This doesn’t necessarily bother me, but it also has a kind of “milky” taste to me that doesn’t agree with my stomach. On the first infusion, I actually had to force myself to finish the pot, which almost never happens to me. Needless to say, I was very surprised that I was finding it so bad, and annoyed since I had just bought a bulk amount.

So I decided to give it another go. On the second infusion, everything changed. The astringency and milkiness were gone, there was a definite sweetness, and the whole thing just tasted better. I’ve heard of “rinsing” oolongs before but never practiced it, however I think that will have to be my policy with this one.

Over all, a good quality oolong. I enjoy that it unfolds into a recognizable leaf shape, and little bit really goes a long way. Happy for the experience, and glad I purchased it!

Full leaf, but smaller leaves. Solid favor, but individually they are very subtle. Floral. Slight bitterness when hot, but sweetnees comes through when it cools a bit.
Just as good, maybe better, on the second steep.

very light and tasty.