I received a gift of tea yesterday and was very pleasantly surprised by the quality. An intern of mine who said she liked teas (but I found out like likes fruit infusions usually with no tea in them) a while back inquired as to what I liked. Told her I preferred blacks most of the time (and gave some specifics) but liked greens once in a while and didn't care for oolongs.
The only oolong I've ever brought home is still sitting in the cupboard
2 years later. Something about the taste (I've had other oolongs when out) of oolong doesn't appeal to me.
Well what did she buy me? Oolong of course. I feigned gratitude and set it aside.
Later in the day I decided I'd better drink some so that she could see I appreciated the gift.
What a shock. It was delicious. It was much greener than any other oolong I've had. The leaves were quite green, tightly rolled, and expanded to mostly full leaves. It had a hint of the taste I associate with oolongs (not sure how to describe it) but it almost seemed like a long jing (my favorite type of green) with undertones of oolong.
It is sold by a local cafe/tea shop Called Infusion Teas (original huh!) which is on my list of places to eat at but not my list of places I have eaten at. Seemed more of a health food place than a tea place, but I may have been mistaken!
I doubt they procure their own teas directly, so someone must be supplying them, but I don't know who.
If you come to Orlando you may want to check it out. (Heck shoot me an email and we'll check it out together!)
- Greg