I’ve tried this twice, and I hesitated on whether to get more than 30 grams because it’s up my alley, or staving off because shipping prices and my need to go through my oolongs…which I inevitably will. Quickly. No doubt. Don’t speak.

I know what you’re thinking, and I don’t need no reasons, don’t tell me ‘cause oolong. Anyway, my memories, well this tea is inviting, though price is altogether mighty frightening. As I sip, the tea is pretty close to TheTea’s description:
" Fruity and milky, made from Jin Xuan bush with zero astringency typical for many high mountain oolongs.

Here you will find: grassy freshness, almonds, strawberries, yogurt, cream and notes of white flowers (lilly of the valley, lilly). And something fresh and vivid you can literally name: mountain breeze."

It’s got the trademark milky smoothness of a jin xuan, and it’s very fresh like a Maofeng or Baicha, maybe even a Cuifeng, but of course, smooth as only an oolong can be. The florals weren’t surprising, but the fruitiness was. Aroma has a stronger sweetness than the actual tea, but the tea has a weird creamy strawberry yogurt aftertaste that’s refreshing. I get it both gong fu and western, though I still think I need to crack the tea.

The lily of the valley, cream, and grass are the most prominent, yet the strawberry brushes the aftertaste. Aroma is more pronounced gong fu, but flavor has been more rounded western in longer steeps. Despite all of that, the tea has been pretty forgiving of my mistakes.

I’ve done this too many times, but I’m going to come back to it even though I’ve shoved enough purple prose into the review. I’m sold on it being a tea I like and something for people looking for a cleaner quality Jin Xuan or greener style tea. It’s more grassy than spinachy having more freshness than most of the straight Jin Xuans I’ve had, and I like it actually has more forward fruitiness instead of “hints” of fruit. I was exaggerating a little on price because it’s not the most expensive tea they have by any means, but it’s a step up from the usual price of a Jin Xuan deserving of more discriminating buyers.

Flavors: Almond, Cream, Creamy, Floral, Freshly Cut Grass, Grassy, Lily, Rainforest, Strawberry, Yogurt

derk

You’re silly. I know just what you’re saying.

Leafhopper

Now I regret not getting this in my last big order from TheTea. I think I was scared off by the Jin Xuan and don’t even remember reading the description.

Daylon R Thomas

Picky about those too?

Daylon R Thomas

I know you’re good, I know you’re good, I know you’re reaal gooood Oh!

Leafhopper

LOL. That song has been running through my head ever since I read your note! :P Memories indeed!

I’ve had a few Jin Xuans that had lots of florals but no fruit, so yeah, I tend to overlook them. Seems like that might be a mistake.

Daylon R Thomas

New Doubt used to play like crazy on the radio growing up in Hawaii, and my mom listened to them a lot. I wouldn’t say so. I’ve had a lot of them that are mostly green, creamy and floral. I’ve only had a few that were actually fruity that weren’t flavored blends. This one is just uniquely clean. It doesn’t quite stand against Shan Lin Xi, but it stands out on its own outside of regular Jin Xuans. A part of me is glad I only got 30 grams in terms of spending, though I wouldn’t mind getting it again.

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Comments

derk

You’re silly. I know just what you’re saying.

Leafhopper

Now I regret not getting this in my last big order from TheTea. I think I was scared off by the Jin Xuan and don’t even remember reading the description.

Daylon R Thomas

Picky about those too?

Daylon R Thomas

I know you’re good, I know you’re good, I know you’re reaal gooood Oh!

Leafhopper

LOL. That song has been running through my head ever since I read your note! :P Memories indeed!

I’ve had a few Jin Xuans that had lots of florals but no fruit, so yeah, I tend to overlook them. Seems like that might be a mistake.

Daylon R Thomas

New Doubt used to play like crazy on the radio growing up in Hawaii, and my mom listened to them a lot. I wouldn’t say so. I’ve had a lot of them that are mostly green, creamy and floral. I’ve only had a few that were actually fruity that weren’t flavored blends. This one is just uniquely clean. It doesn’t quite stand against Shan Lin Xi, but it stands out on its own outside of regular Jin Xuans. A part of me is glad I only got 30 grams in terms of spending, though I wouldn’t mind getting it again.

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Bio

First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.

Location

Michigan, USA

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