good oolong (from a green tea drinker's perspective)
Though described as lemony and vegetal, I detected more of a delicate honey flavor. It was light bodied, had a very smooth mouthfeel, and was my preferred cup of the three oolongs I sampled.
This Fair Trade Certified organic oolong tea represents a departure from our other oolong offerings. Biodynamically farmed at the Makaibari estate in India's Darjeeling district, this organic loose leaf tea exhibits many of the same qualities as the black teas this region is known for. The medium to dark green leaves and silver buds of this oolong produce a light amber infusion with a punchy astringency that diminishes quickly. This organic Indian tea also exhibits slight lemony, vegetal and earthy qualities akin to other Darjeeling teas, while maintaining a classic oolong finish. Established in 1859, Makaibari is the oldest estate in Darjeeling, where a strong commitment to sustainable farming prevails.
Ingredients: organic and Fair Trade Certified Indian oolong tea
Located in eastern India, Darjeeling is nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas and tucked between Bhutan and Nepal. It is one of the most famous regions in the world for tea production, and has a long history of tea cultivation dating back to the early 1800s. Black teas are the most traditional types of tea from this area, but more recently white, green and oolong teas have been manufactured. Darjeeling’s highland subtropical climate and elevation (6000 feet above sea level) make it ideal for growing tea. Makaibari Tea Estate was founded in 1859, and is the oldest and steepest estate in Darjeeling. Makaibari is a biodynamic and organic certified tea garden and follows a form of “integrated forest management.” They also use permaculture in many of their practices. Certified Fair Trade in 1993, Makaibari has used their premiums to provide stipends for University studies, microfinance programs, education investments and health training, among many other initiatives.
Read our field notes from our visit to Makaibari!
At Arbor Teas, we believe tea should be brewed to suit your personal taste. We’re happy to make recommendations to get you started, but don’t hesitate to experiment! When brewing your tea, your main considerations are tea quantity, water temperature, and steeping time. We recommend oolong teas to be steeped for 4 to 7 minutes in water heated to a just about boiling (approximately 195 degrees F). For the best flavor, use fresh water whenever possible. Try not to steep your tea longer than necessary, as you’ll extract undesirable bitterness from the leaves. If you want a stronger brew, don’t steep longer, just use more tea. And don’t forget to re-steep your tea leaves to get the most out of your leaf!
Looking for more info? Check out our How-To Guides and Eco-Brewing Tips!
"An oolong made for Darjeeling lovers!"
"One of very few Fair Trade Certified oolongs available on the market."
Though described as lemony and vegetal, I detected more of a delicate honey flavor. It was light bodied, had a very smooth mouthfeel, and was my preferred cup of the three oolongs I sampled.
This tea is just ok. I didn't read the reviews before purchasing a sample and can agree this tea is more like a darjeeling than an oolong it is very astringent and citrusy with some floral notes but nothing like an oolong although it does have an oolong aftertaste. It was an interesting tea sample but I won't be ordering more of it.
I struggled with a rating of between 3 and 4 stars, but I'll be generous because I do love oolong, and this is certainly worth the asking price. It has the classic oolong presence, just a bit lacking in flavor profile for a perfect score.
I was absolute delighted by this mild, and earthy oolong tea. This has very strong Darjeeling flavor influences, but do not be fooled; it has the characteristic finish of oolong. The body of it is reminiscent, to me, almost of chocolate. I could drink this all day and I think I will!
I love all things Makaibari, and though this tea does not taste anything like your neighborhood Chinese restaurant's oolong tea, it's a terricfic tea at an unbeatable price. Flavor profile more in the realm of their black tea offerings, yet much softer and mellow. There's nothing better than some hot oolong after an indulgent meal, and I had it after a grilled andouille sausage feast, and wow the lingering flavors of the spice and grease just sang, and a whole new dimension of refreshing herbal flavors arouse from the tea while I was sipping it, you got to try it. Bottom line is it's a great value, tasty, and I'll be buying it again. Tea was brewed western style for 20 minutes, 2 liters of RO water, glass vat, at a low 170 degree brew.
Bright, lemony infusion with punchy astringency and classic first flush character
Ripened Muscat grape and forest floor notes, ample astringency and strong body
Rich and earthy white tea flavor with muscatel and citrus overtones