New Zealand Waikato Oolong

After leaving this in the tin for 3 months - since my original review - I have now found this tea really nice. So I now find it has a nice smooth mouth feel. Pleasant sweet floral notes. (The pea-shoot notes and astringency have mostly subsided.) It is now a more rounded, balanced and enjoyable tea. Which is good as I have stacks of it to get through!

This was a gift and it was a lovely surprise to like it so much. The mineral quality is combined with a gentle sweetness and subtle creme Anglaise flavour. It's delicious and now a firm favourite.

Vegetal,roasted nuts,araca nut, pea shoots,woody,slate,very mineral,overbearing astringency at 90ºC. At 80ºC more palatable if discard initial infusions. Maybe Tea Pulling may help ?

I first tasted this tea in Waikato at the plantation on NorthIsland New Zealand a couple of years ago when visiting my son. It is truly crafted by hand from the loving plant care to the rolling and packing. I was so taken that I e-mailed the Rare Tea Company to start supplying it. Shortly after they did. Coincidence? Was it in the plan I don't know but what I do know is that if you drink tea buy the Oolong and the Black. They are from the same plant just a different process. They are essential daily necessities to my life.

I cupped this oolong upon arrival of my tea order from Rare Tea Company. The first steeping was extremely vegetable, even with a prior quick wash. But the second and third steepings were a delicate sweet pea freshness with a definite butter mouth feel and lingering after taste. I am a fan of New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc and wanted to know what their wines offered — I am not disappointed and will definitely order this tea again.