Home / Loose Leaf / Oolong Tea

New Zealand Waikato Oolong Loose Leaf Oolong Tea

12 reviews
£22.99
£22.99
£0.31 per cup
Sale Sold out
Style

The Tea Masters in New Zealand work from a simple precept; tea is a science, but it is also an art. It’s this kind of attitude to tea making that we admire. The leaves are hand harvested and crafted to reveal extraordinary complexity of flavour; floral notes, succulent vegetal greens, tropical fruit and a creamy sweetness.

This Oolong Loose Leaf Tea from New Zealand has certain resemblances to our Iron Goddess of Mercy (tieguanyin) yet is unique and nuanced. Try them side by side and find out for yourself.

Tasting Notes

The fresh-tasting leaves are unroasted giving a green, slightly mineral note, with a long-lasting sweetness, reminiscent of crème anglaise. The second infusion reveals a hint of fresh pea sprouts.

Cost Per Cup

£0.31 per cup based on 2g of tea per 150ml of water and 3 infusions.

Origin

Zealong Estate, Waikato, New Zealand

View full details

Recommended Infusion Guide

  • Quantity

    Use 2g of tea per 150ml of water.

  • Temperature

    For the optimum infusion use 90°C water.

  • Time

    Infuse for 1 - 2 minutes, tasting regularly.

  • Infusions

    You can infuse this tea at least three times. With each careful infusion, different subtleties of flavour are revealed.

1 3

More infusion tips

How to infuse your tea is very personal, and these are just our recommendations based on experience. Please experiment with these variables to your heart's delight. These are our recommendations, not hard and fast rules. The most delicious tea is the one you love.

Our guide uses a standard tea cup size (150ml/5.5 oz) as a measure, please adjust the quantity of leaf accordingly for less or more water. Our whole loose leaves are of such a high quality that you can infuse our teas at least twice, and the second infusion is often better than the first, with different flavours revealed as the leaf softens. If you prefer your tea stronger, add more leaf, don’t leave it for longer (this will just make it bitter).

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 – 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 100°C/212°F, 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:

HOW TO MAKE OOLONG WITH A GAIWAN

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

Seedlings

Careful propagation

In 1996 the Zealong Estate imported rigorously-selected tea cuttings from the best tea growing regions across Asia.

Over 1,500 seedlings were imported yet only 130 survived the rigorous New Zealand quarantine regulations. Through careful propagation these now flourish in the fertile soil and clean air.

CLIMATE

Gentle sunshine, and abundant rainfall

This climate is the gift that keeps on giving; abundant rainfall, ideal temperatures with the right amount of sunshine and free-draining acidic soil.

Shipping, delivery & more...

UK Shipping Information

FREE UK Tracked when you spend £30 or more

FREE UK Express - Next Day* when you spend £60 or more

UK Tracked - Two Day Tracked £3.99

UK Express - Next Day* Tracked £5.49

UK Express - Next Day* Courier from £8.49

*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 product 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 item's cost, excluding postage. We may ask you to return the item to us.** Customers in the UK & European Union have statutory rights not affected by this guarantee, but any tea pouches must remained sealed for this to be in effect.

*We only accept returns/refunds for tea within 30 days of receipt, because it is impossible for us to know if the tea has been stored correctly.

**We will endeavour to ask for pictures where possible - but if you have changed your mind and are outside of any statutory rights time period, return postage is payable by you.

Trustpilot