TokyoB and I decided to check out New Zealong Oolong and see what it was all about!
https://www.zealong.com/index/flash
There is A LOT of packaging!
1. A beautiful outer flip-top box with foam insert
2. Large Tea Tin
3. Vacuum sealed inner bag with ziplock
4. Large glossy booklet
5. Small informational insert
Ok, well this morning I had this tea for the second time. My thoughts are that it's "ok" . The first time I tried it, I thought it was a bit flat tasting. Funny because all the other elements are there for a great cuppa. The aroma is great as well as the appearance. Both very typical of a nice gaoshan. Even the brew color, a nice sparkling, clean, bright yellow.
This morning I brewed at work and enlisted the opinion of my co-worker who has been enjoying many different oolongs with me and is getting a more refined palate for greener oolongs. The first taste surprised me as wow, it did seem much better than I remembered. As the tea cooled slightly the flavor diminished and seemed flat again. My co-worked agreed, the hotter the better on this one, as the tea cools the flatness appears.
So my final thoughts are that I would not buy it again, as I enjoy my Taiwanese oolongs. But as with all new teas, I was very excited to have the opportunity to try this one.
Thanks to TokyoB for sharing with me and graciously sending all the packaging and materials so I could get the full effect.
Re: Zealong - New Zealand Oolong
Nice photos Victoria - well done. While I have only had the tea a couple of times I have to agree with you on the review. Although this looks and smells like a typical high-quality gaoshan cha from Taiwan, it is lacking in depth. It isn't bad mind you but it is lacking in some respect that I find a bit difficult to put my finger on. I believe this tea was not grown at a high altitude at all and perhaps that is the most significant factor, or at least one of them.
It was an interesting tea to try nonetheless.
It was an interesting tea to try nonetheless.
Aug 6th, '10, 21:39
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debunix
Re: Zealong - New Zealand Oolong
Great review. I'd checked out their site recently and the very high price and shipping costs gave me pause. I wouldn't want to go through with it unless it was at least as special as that Hawaiian oolong (which I will be ordering eventually).
Aug 7th, '10, 15:03
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guitar9876
Aug 7th, '10, 15:07
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chicagopotter
Re: Zealong - New Zealand Oolong
It is now available domestically from at least one vendor that I know of: http://www.chicagoteagarden.com/buy/ool ... along-pure.
Re: Zealong - New Zealand Oolong
Thanks everyone!
Thanks for posting the link chicagopotter.
guitar9876 - that cup is still available at Artistic Nippon.
I wanted to add that this was the Pure Oolong, unroasted. There are two other choices:
Zealong Aromatic - "These leaves are roasted at high temperatures for a clear aroma and taste, with a hint of fruit and flowers."
Zealong Dark - "Repeated roasting gives these leaves a rich, deep taste, with a hint of charcoal on the nose and no bitterness."
.
Thanks for posting the link chicagopotter.
guitar9876 - that cup is still available at Artistic Nippon.
I wanted to add that this was the Pure Oolong, unroasted. There are two other choices:
Zealong Aromatic - "These leaves are roasted at high temperatures for a clear aroma and taste, with a hint of fruit and flowers."
Zealong Dark - "Repeated roasting gives these leaves a rich, deep taste, with a hint of charcoal on the nose and no bitterness."
.