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21st Century Afternoon Tea Loose Leaf Oolong Tea

Regular price $33.00
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30p per cup

Style

An iconoclastic blend of old and new world oolong teas to make something truly delicious.

This loose leaf oolong blend combines Iron Goddess of Mercy from the ancient gardens of Anxi in China with the pristine new leaves of Waikato in New Zealand. The result is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Tasting Notes

The flavour develops with each infusion of this clean but complex tea. The first infusions are rich with flavours of tart stewed apple and cookie dough. This leads into bright sencha greens and sherbert. Later infusions have a soft digestive biscuit note and a final mineral finish.

Cost Per Cup

30p per cup based on 3g of tea per 150ml of water and 3 infusions.

Origin

Anxi, China
Waikato, New Zealand

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A gaiwan is the ultimate way to enjoy your oolong tea. Used in China since the Ming dynasty (over 900 years ago), gaiwans are unassuming but beautifully functional teapots that can be used to explore tea to its fullest โ€“ the following method can be used to make up to six infusions.

Start with 4-6g of oolong tea and pop it in the gaiwan teapot. Boil a kettle to 100ยฐC/212ยฐF, then pour an inch of the water on the leaf for a few seconds, then discard this liquid. This "wash" softens the rolled leaf and allows the water to penetrate.

Next, fill the gaiwan with hot water to just below the rim, infuse for 5-10 seconds and strain completely into your cup or a jug. There's no need to reheat the water as you go, because the softened leaves will require lower temperatures to release their flavours - but you will need to extend the time to 10-20 seconds for later steeps. We recommend at least six infusions to allow the leaf to completely open out and reveal all its beauty.

For a more comprehensive guide to using a gaiwan see our full guide here:

Here is a short video demonstrating how to get the most out of your precious oolong leaves with a gaiwan:

Imagine blending wines from Bordeaux and Napa Valley - the viniphiles would throw their hands up in horror. Ooh la la, sacre bleu, โ€œ@~!?$*#โ€.

Sometimes you have to break with tradition to innovate. Combining these beautifully crafted teas, both made with infinite care to be the best expression of their terroir, creates a tea that sings of the story of craftsmanship and healthy soil. A merging of two worlds - the old and the new, the history of tea and its fresh beginnings.

Weโ€™ve created a new loose leaf afternoon tea for new traditions.

What is the best afternoon tea?

In the past we have drunk a blend of black teas to go with Afternoon Tea, but this is a loose leaf tea blend for the 21st Century. We donโ€™t all have time to sit around at 4 oโ€™clock eating sandwiches and scones. Tea in the afternoon is more likely to be a pick-me-up in the midst of our busy days. Hopefully a time to stop for a moment or two to recharge and get through the last push of the day.

This is an oolong tea that goes delightfully with whatever your afternoon treat is, sweet or savoury: a cake, biscuit, a handful of nuts, the humble crumpet, peanut butter on toast, a banana, temaki or a taco.

The most important thing is you donโ€™t have to be lounging on a sofa or in a fine hotel, you can be at your desk, making the kids supper or out on a stroll - wherever you are in the afternoon and whatever youโ€™re doing youโ€™re going to want tea. And this is the tea you want.

We really recommend using a gaiwan, the perfect teapot to make 6 short extractions and experience the flavour progressions of each infusion. This wonโ€™t take long, just 10 minutes, but its 10 minutes you wonโ€™t regret.

Shipping, delivery & more...

Australia Shipping Information

FREE Worldwide Tracked Delivery when you spend ยฃ50 or more

Australia Tracked Delivery from ยฃ9.49

ROW Express Courier Delivery from ยฃ30.49

*Subject to next day cutoff and postcode location. Availability of rates depends on location and order weight. For a complete overview of our shipping rates please see our delivery page.

All prices quoted in GBP and will be converted to your local currency if available.

Returns

The Rare Tea Lady believes that our teas are some of the greatest in the world, and that our range and service are second to none.

In the isolated case that you are not completely satisfied with any tea or teaware you purchase from our website, please get in contact with our customer services team to discuss returning your order.*

In most instances we will give you a full refund of the itemโ€™s cost excluding postage. We may ask you to return the item to us. Customers in the European Union have a statutory cooling-off period of fourteen days that is not affected by this guarantee, but any tea pouches much remained sealed for this to be in effect.

*We only accept returns/refunds for tea within two months of receipt, because it is impossible for us to know if the tea has been stored correctly.