Apricot Tart Jade Oolong

I don’t know whether it is age or flavouring, but I am getting a bit of plasticky kind of imitation flavour going on here. Similar to the flavouring of On Wisconsin, which for me strikes a false note. A shame because there are lovely lilts of stone fruit sweetness here and a wee bit of tartness, but I am distracted by that thick cloying plastic overlay.

Perhaps the next cup will be better.

edit—As the cup cools way down, the plastic cream aspect almost completely disappears to be replaced with delicate peach juice flavours.

To be continued.

Yeah, not sold on this one, which is too bad. I love apricots in tea, but this seems to be far too floral for me. Certainly still drinkable, and fruity, with a tasty oolong, but I’m not digging the floweriness.

The tea smells delicious, very fruity and sweet!

Steep 1: 1 tsp leaves, 200 mL water, 174 deg F/80 deg C water 1.5 minutes to produce a light yellow liquid.
Very light, fruity, I don’t think I’d call it distinctly apricot, more like light yellow stone fruits (peach/apricot/yellow plum). Slightly creamy, artificial vanilla? that might be because it is stored with a bunch of other samples and took on the smells of other teas. Slightly sweet.

Steep 2: 2 minutes
The oolong has opened up now, and I can taste a fantastically fruity and floral jade oolong. I wouldn’t call it vegetal, exactly. But definitely a jade oolong. Stronger fruit flavour and less vanilla, but still slightly creamy. This tea is wonderfully smooth. The tea actually smells like apricot jam and butter.

Steep 3: 2 minutes
I wasn’t even going to do another steep, but the jade oolong base is delightful. Very fragrant, smells of orchid. Taste is more similar to tulips and a flower shop. I actually like this tea better now that the cream and apricot are much lighter.

Here’s to sampling! Surprised this one hasn’t made it to Steepster ’cause it seems like it would appeal on here. It had the same cheesecake type flavor the the Vanilla Cider Panna Cotta did, and one that kinda reminded me of a cheesecake flavored Butiki blend. Yes, I said Butiki.

This first cup was the best because I could taste the other fruits like the blueberry and currant with the apricot. They were really nice over the creamy and sweet note and light texture. The later cups emphasized the currant and the cheesecake.

My only criticisms of this tea were the apricot and the candle quality of the cheesecake flavoring. Apricot is a hit or miss of a fruit for me personally, and I usually don’t like it blended in my teas though I do not mind it. The other fruit flavors in the tea are what made me really enjoy it. As for the candle quality, the flavoring was so creamy that it was a little bit waxy. I can avoid it personally by shortening the steep or adding a little bit more hot water.

This was a beautiful tea and it actually comes pretty close to my enjoyment of the Vanilla Cider Panna Cotta, but I like vanilla, apple, and clove more than apricot. It’s a shame to see that this one didn’t sell as well, though, because it is a good blended tea.