Tea Review: Red Buffalo Oolong (Oregon Tea Traders)

Red Buffalo Oolong

Oregon Tea Traders
Type: Oolong
Origin: Vietnam, Moc Chau
Product Description: 

Oxidized oolong with a very smooth flavor and mouthfeel. Notes of chocolate, honey and malt. A delightful cup that lasts through several infusions.

Temperature: 195° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of wood, grains, fruit, and nut shells.

The golden infusion has a sweet aroma of stone fruit.  The taste has notes of honey and fruit with a long finish.  

The first infusion was filled with lovely honey notes followed by floral honeysuckle notes which moved forward with subsequent infusions.

This tea was received as a gift from a third party.

Tea Review: Fancy Ti Kwan Yin (Oregon Tea Traders)

Fancy Ti Kwan Yin

Oregon Tea Traders
Type: Oolong
Origin: China, Fujian Province
Product Description:

Ti Kwan Yin, aka Iron Goddess of mercy is a lightly-oxidized oolong tea from Fujian province in China. It is known for its long lasting floral flavor, and bright green color. Its a wonderful tea to brew gong fu with friends.

Temperature: 190°
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of dried flowers, hay, and antique wood.

The pale yellow-green liquor has a buttery aroma with notes of sweet pea and just a hint of fruit.  The taste is rich, smooth, and buttery with notes of snow peas, nuts, and a long lightly sweet floral and nutty finish.  

This oolong was given to me some time ago and may not have been at full strength at the time of this review.  However, the aroma and flavor were lovely.  While the most nuanced flavor was in the first infusion, the aroma remained heady and the flavor smooth if mellower throughout two more infusions.  This also brewed beautifully when prepared gongfu-style.

This tea was received as a gift from a third party.

Tea Review: Drizzly Days (Oregon Tea Traders)

Drizzly Days

Oregon Tea Traders
Type: Flavored Black, Flavored Oolong
Origin: China and India
Product Description:

A breakfast tea for the dark drizzly mornings we are so used to here in Oregon. This blend combines Wu Yi Oolong and Lapsong Souchong with black teas from China and Assam. It puts a smoky and roasted flavor in a refreshingly dark black tea.

Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have a smoky, spicy aroma.

The dark red infusion has a smoky, sweet and savory aroma.  The taste is smoky and full-bodied with mild astringency and a long smoky finish.

This is a lovely smoky tea, reminding me of a good Russian Caravan blend, and aptly named as I tend to reach for smoky teas on grey, rainy days.  While the fullest flavor is in the first infusion, a second infusion still has quite a lot to offer.

This tea was purchased on my behalf at the 2023 Northwest Tea Festival.