This is an unflavored milk oolong (teavivre has a different product that is the same thing but with milk flavor added), meaning that it's a pure oolong tea whose flavor is usually described as smooth or milky. I've been drinking it a lot lately, and trying it a number of different ways. What I've found in general is that it's a lovely, smooth-tasting, relaxing, warming tea no matter how I make it, but being particular about the brewing can do a lot to bring out the 'milky' quality in the flavor.

The dry leaf is tightly rolled and only faintly, almost dustily aromatic. When brewed, they give off a relatively strong and smoothly nutty aroma, as does the brew itself, which usually comes out golden amber in color.

The instructions say to brew it at boiling for 1-3 minutes, and I find that that works well. Closer to the one minute end, you get a cup that's more delicately smooth, with a powdered milk-type overtone. Closer to the 3 minute mark and the taste gets richer and more buttery, while still staying smooth. Subsequent brewings (I can usually get 3 out of this tea) get less smooth and more toasty and bitter, but not acrid.

I've also had some success brewing it cooler and longer. Brewing it at 190 degrees or so for 4-5 minutes makes that milky overtone very pronounced, and makes for an exceptionally smooth and buttery cup.

For me, the bottom line is that this is pretty affordable, definitely works as an everyday tea, and has some really nice notes on that milky/smooth/buttery oolong spectrum, despite the lack of additives that often go into 'milk' oolongs.

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