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Thanks to Lindsay for this yummy tea!

I finally got around to trying it this morning. When I drink new oolongs, I like to be in a quiet place where I can focus on the tea. This has not been possible for a long while. :( But today! No obligations until afternoon and husband out for a 12 mile run (in 16 F weather!). I have plenty of time to savor a new oolong.

I opened the pouch and it smelled like honeyed leaves and sweet fruity nectar. Yum. The directions called for near boiling water, which I usually don’t do for oolongs. But I went ahead and followed directions. It’s always good to see how the tea sellers think the tea should taste.

The first steep yielded a lovely cup. The taste was lightly honey and more heavily leaf. Like an autumn forest. It’s not as smooth and syrupy as I’m used to for Honey Fragrance oolongs, probably because of that stronger roasty quality.

The second steep was more to expectation. Syrupy sweet with a supporting autumny background. It’s still roasty. The flavor is not so complex as others I’ve tried. This is more straight forward, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but not so interesting. The Honey Phoenix from Canton Tea, for example, had more lychee fruit and ripe peaches going on, while this one is more just honey and autumn.

In the following steeps, the honey flavor decreases and the roasty autumn leaf aroma becomes stronger. Very pleasant and relaxing.

While this is not my favorite Honey fragrance dancong, it is still pretty good. I normally don’t like dark oolongs, but dancongs are an exception. I’ve been focused on the honey fragrance ones, but I want to branch out and try different fragrances. I’m especially interested in the almond variety.

This oolong also has a bit of a caffeine kick. I’d say medium buzz. One more infusion and I’ll stick with caffeine free stuff for the rest of the day. :) And while I’ve still got some quiet time, I think I’ll curl up under the covers with a book and a puppy or two.