Amber Gaba Oolong

Gongfu! I’ve been curious to try gaba oolong for a while, particularly since anxiety does from time to time have a significant impact on my workday and overall wellbeing. It’s also been a while since I drank any oolong, and whilst it hasn’t typically been my favourite tea variety over time I figured it was definitely worth another try.

Got to say, this one is quite delicious. Smooth and a touch creamy, with fruity sweetness, and flavours of apricot jam and light petrichor. There is a touch of roastiness also, but it’s by no means overpowering. Later steeps bring forward notes of wet wood and hints of honey.

I do feel calmer and more settled after this session than I did before, but one trial isn’t enough to make a genuine call on its effectiveness or otherwise for me, so this is something I’ll monitor going forward. The tea itself is highly enjoyable, though, and has definitely revived my interest in trying more oolongs.

This tea is nothing short of incredible. It is the best soothing experience I’ve ever had, and could bring down my migraines to a manageable level. The soothing from the GABA is almost immediate, and keeps getting deeper with each infusion.

Earthy, yet sweet, with a very deep and robust flavor.

I love this tea. I’m not sure I receive any of the GABA effects created by the nitrogen-rich processing, but it certainly creates a distinctive tasting tea. Warm as flavours get, there’s a liquoriceness to the nose – sweeter than fennel / aniseed, it’s a very sweet tea. I bought a big bag for fear of it running out in the shop one day. I also tried the Ruby GABA – interesting, but this is the sweet spot.

London was the final stop on my Eurotrip during which I dropped by Mei Leaf in Camden. I’ve been curious about their GABA teas but didn’t want to commit to a large quanity so I ordered this iced. A few sips later and I ran back to the shop to buy the 70g brick. That’s how impressive this tea was. It had a smooth, fruity flavor with a honeyed sweetness. Some hints of spice and baked fruit.

I didn’t know GABA tea could taste like this. My only basis for comparison are a budget GABA oolong from TTC and an Alishan GABA green tea from Taiwan Sourcing. Both had some off-ish notes and struck me as something one would tolerate drinking in exchange for the health benefits of GABA. Not so here. It’s a delicious tea that’s enjoyable on its own.

easy drinking Gaba, sweet taste, croissant, fresh baked bread, vanilla coffee, nougat
My favourite Gaba of all Mei Leaf Gabas

Pumpkin pie spices. Slightly nutty with some dried fruit sweetness. Warm and toasty.