22 Tasting Notes
A full-flavored tea (unless you don’t add enough tea per oz of water or if you don’t steep for long enough at proper temp).
I found the flavor, when hot, to be a bright combination of orange (like orange liquor), almonds (like almond extract or almond liquor) and a bit of cocoa. As it cooled, it tasted something more akin to actual Tiramisu (and therefore coffee). Definitely a dessert experience—especially with a bit of sugar or milk. I can’t help but think that a bit of vanilla and less orange would have pushed it further into the Tiramisu flavor realm. I haven’t had a lot of orange flavored Tiramisu, but perhaps they’re going for a bit of the bitters one might experience with espresso. Yummy as a treat, but not one that I’d want to drink daily.
Preparation
Just a note, that indeed Teavana has discontinued this yummy tea. It was a greener Oolong with lovely drinkable perfume aroma and complex flavor. One of my favorites! Teavana claims their Monkey Picked Oolong is a good replacement, and while the flavor is very similar, Monkey Picked is more than twice the price. In searching for something similar (in taste and price) to Iron Buddha Oolong, I’ve found Jade Oolong from Taiwan is very close. My search of an acceptable replacement inspired me to write a blog. Yep, I liked Iron Buddha Oolong that much!
