This was a very interesting tea for my to try; it was the first oolong I've sampled that was produced in Africa.

A peculiar tea among oolongs, but more normal when compared to green and black teas. Dry leaf looks more like a black tea than an oolong...dark brown, and highly broken. I brewed it with boiling water. It produced an orange-amber cup that tasted in many respects like a green tea that had been brewed with water well below boiling. Rather than tasting like a traditional Chinese oolong, this tasted more like a green tea that had certain elements of black tea in its aroma.

Flavor is very crisp, with a strong cooling quality. Highly herbaceous, with citrus tones, like lemon or orange zest. Considerably astringent finish. I think this tea actually has a fairly typical flavor and aroma profile for tea, although it is rather un-oolong-like.

Works very well through multiple infusions. Makes 4 infusions when brewed western style, although the fourth infusion is markedly blander. I find the second or third cup produce a pleasant candied-orange aroma. Be careful on the second infusion if you don't do a rinse, as I find that this tea is slow to infuse at first, but infuses faster once the leaves are wet.

Price is very reasonable, given how unusual this tea is, and how well the leaf lasts through multiple infusions. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to try something new, as well as to anyone who likes orange and citrus-qualities in tea, or who wants a darker, more full-bodied tea that has some of the crispness and cooling qualities of fresh green tea.

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