I am new to tea, and I enjoy mainly greens, whites, and tisanes. The other day, I had my first oolong--adagio's grapefruit oolong--and I did not like it. Today I had adagio's jasmine #12, and after the first couple of sips which were too floral, I am enjoying it immensely.
How do I choose oolongs that taste similarly to green or white teas?
How do I tell if an oolong is light vs. dark, before brewing it?
What are good light oolongs to try for a newbie?
Thanks in advance.
I would say that to start with flavored oolongs is not a good way to judge an oolong. Some here may differ in opinion, but I don't think oolongs are meant to be flavored, and are best enjoyed for their natural nuances and flavors.
I think you will like the greener oolongs, and you can tell the difference by looking at them. They are more green and the dark ones are more roasted and more brown. It is all in the amount of roasting or oxidization. Once you try a few of each you will decide if you like dark or greener. But you may also find you like degrees of both.
On the way are few to try. I think you will like the Ti Quan Yin. It is one of the most popular oolongs. And Adagio's is a very decent representation. I really enjoy it.
I think you will like the greener oolongs, and you can tell the difference by looking at them. They are more green and the dark ones are more roasted and more brown. It is all in the amount of roasting or oxidization. Once you try a few of each you will decide if you like dark or greener. But you may also find you like degrees of both.
On the way are few to try. I think you will like the Ti Quan Yin. It is one of the most popular oolongs. And Adagio's is a very decent representation. I really enjoy it.
Feb 22nd, '08, 15:30
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Re: New to Oolongs...How to Choose?
I think baozhong (aka pouchong) is great. It is the oolong most like green tea, but it has a lot more strength to it than greens, IMO.Time4Tea wrote:What are good light oolongs to try for a newbie?
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I agree w/ V.O. -ditch any sort of flavored tea when you want to taste how that particular variety tastes.Victoria's Own wrote:I would say that to start with flavored oolongs is not a good way to judge an oolong. Some here may differ in opinion, but I don't think oolongs are meant to be flavored, and are best enjoyed for their natural nuances and flavors.
I think you will like the greener oolongs, and you can tell the difference by looking at them. They are more green and the dark ones are more roasted and more brown. It is all in the amount of roasting or oxidization. Once you try a few of each you will decide if you like dark or greener. But you may also find you like degrees of both.
On the way are few to try. I think you will like the Ti Quan Yin. It is one of the most popular oolongs. And Adagio's is a very decent representation. I really enjoy it.
TKY by adagio is the one I recommend to those looking to explore Oolongs for the first time. If they like that, I rec. the fancy jade oolong, our oolong #18.
Thanks Victoria. I knew I could count on you for oolong advice. I can't wait to receive the ones you sent. Hope you receive mine today, too. How's the matcha going?Victoria's Own wrote:I would say that to start with flavored oolongs is not a good way to judge an oolong. Some here may differ in opinion, but I don't think oolongs are meant to be flavored, and are best enjoyed for their natural nuances and flavors.
I think you will like the greener oolongs, and you can tell the difference by looking at them. They are more green and the dark ones are more roasted and more brown. It is all in the amount of roasting or oxidization. Once you try a few of each you will decide if you like dark or greener. But you may also find you like degrees of both.
On the way are few to try. I think you will like the Ti Quan Yin. It is one of the most popular oolongs. And Adagio's is a very decent representation. I really enjoy it.
Re: New to Oolongs...How to Choose?
I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I don't like green teas. How do I choose oolongs similar to black tea? I know Scruff posted about oolong #40 being close to black & I've got some of it coming but what about other oolongs? TIA for any suggestions!Time4Tea wrote:How do I choose oolongs that taste similarly to green or white teas?
Re: New to Oolongs...How to Choose?
This sounds perfect. Thanks, Scruff. I recall Tenuki mentioning this oolong, too.scruffmcgruff wrote:I think baozhong (aka pouchong) is great. It is the oolong most like green tea, but it has a lot more strength to it than greens, IMO.Time4Tea wrote:What are good light oolongs to try for a newbie?
Last edited by TimeforTea on Feb 22nd, '08, 16:13, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks, Xine! I will make a note to try adagio's TKY in my next order.xine wrote:I agree w/ V.O. -ditch any sort of flavored tea when you want to taste how that particular variety tastes.
TKY by adagio is the one I recommend to those looking to explore Oolongs for the first time. If they like that, I rec. the fancy jade oolong, our oolong #18.
Feb 22nd, '08, 16:36
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Re: New to Oolongs...How to Choose?
Oriental Beauty (aka Eastern Beauty, aka Bai Hao, aka Oolong #40), like I mentioned, is the closest to black tea as far as oxidation goes. That said, I think you may enjoy Adagio's "Wuyi Ensemble" and/or their "Ooooh Darjeeling", both because they are on the higher end of the oxidation range, and because their flavors are, in general, more like black teas than most other oolongs.henley wrote:I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I don't like green teas. How do I choose oolongs similar to black tea? I know Scruff posted about oolong #40 being close to black & I've got some of it coming but what about other oolongs? TIA for any suggestions!
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My chasen just arrived from Japan this week, I was waiting on it before I tried my premium Manten from O-Cha. Tomorrow is the day!!!Time4Tea wrote: Thanks Victoria. I knew I could count on you for oolong advice. I can't wait to receive the ones you sent. Hope you receive mine today, too. How's the matcha going?
Feb 22nd, '08, 17:15
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Great post, VictoriaVictoria's Own wrote:I would say that to start with flavored oolongs is not a good way to judge an oolong. Some here may differ in opinion, but I don't think oolongs are meant to be flavored, and are best enjoyed for their natural nuances and flavors.
I think you will like the greener oolongs, and you can tell the difference by looking at them. They are more green and the dark ones are more roasted and more brown. It is all in the amount of roasting or oxidization. Once you try a few of each you will decide if you like dark or greener. But you may also find you like degrees of both.
On the way are few to try. I think you will like the Ti Quan Yin. It is one of the most popular oolongs. And Adagio's is a very decent representation. I really enjoy it.
I agree with Scruff, baozhong/pouchong is a great one if you like the greener ones. You might also check out the Taiwan (aka Formosa) high-mountain oolongs. Upton has some of both that are good to start with. They're not the best, but if you're looking for an introduction it's a good place to start without spending too much.
What is it about greens that you don't generally like?henley wrote:I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I don't like green teas. How do I choose oolongs similar to black tea? I know Scruff posted about oolong #40 being close to black & I've got some of it coming but what about other oolongs? TIA for any suggestions!
Thank ABx. I guess I gotta get onboard the baozhong train, lots of buzz about that one one as of late.ABx wrote: Great post, Victoria
I agree with Scruff, baozhong/pouchong is a great one if you like the greener ones. You might also check out the Taiwan (aka Formosa) high-mountain oolongs. Upton has some of both that are good to start with. They're not the best, but if you're looking for an introduction it's a good place to start without spending too much.
Oy on the Upton though, I haven't found a good one yet. TeaCuppa is the way to go IMHO.
Feb 23rd, '08, 01:45
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I agree that TeaCuppa has superior teas by far, they are my main vendor Upton's is pretty decent and inexpensive, though. It's what turned me on to baozhong, and I still brew some up now and again, particularly when I want to make some in quantity.Victoria's Own wrote:Oy on the Upton though, I haven't found a good one yet. TeaCuppa is the way to go IMHO.
The greens I tried at a tea tasting were too vegetal & one even reminded me of shell fish (both smell & taste).ABx wrote:What is it about greens that you don't generally like?henley wrote:I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I don't like green teas. How do I choose oolongs similar to black tea? I know Scruff posted about oolong #40 being close to black & I've got some of it coming but what about other oolongs? TIA for any suggestions!
Thanx, Scruff, for the additional suggestions. My order from Adagio arrived today so I'm going to play!
Feb 23rd, '08, 15:41
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I wouldn't exclude the light oolongs just yet, then. The light oolongs are generally thick, sweet, and floral (much more subtly and naturally so than anything scented/flavored - the aroma is more like clean air in the late spring or early summer). They resemble Chinese greens more in the fact that they're light and smooth.henley wrote:The greens I tried at a tea tasting were too vegetal & one even reminded me of shell fish (both smell & taste).
There are quite a few greens that aren't particularly vegetal, and most aren't fishy, so the statement that light oolongs more like greens than blacks is a pretty broad statement. They just don't have the briskness or acidity that defines the darker teas, they're much smoother, rounder, more aromatic, etc instead.