The Tea Spot Vintage Oolong Loose Leaf Tea Review
April 14, 2009 by Diana
Filed under Tea review, oolong tea
Sorry! This time my picture does not do the tea justice.
With so much to do on my plate, I needed an oolong to bring me back to my senses and hustle! I’m reviewing the Tea Spot Vintage Oolong today. When I cracked open the bag the tea came in, I was greeted by a strong vegetal smell, reminiscent of another oolong I had recently. I let my dad have a whiff of the dried leaves, “Ahh smells nice.”
The ingredients of this tea are 100% pure single estate Taiwanese oolong. I used one teaspoon of loose leaf tea and let it expand. My cup was soon densely swimming with tea leaves after a minute. Watching tea leaves unfurl is always strangely comforting. It’s like watching the introduction of a familiar story unfold itself. The tea smelled very sweet. It was a warm and inviting cup. The liquor was a pale green and gold. It was very clear, I could make out all the leaves in the cup. Time to taste. Wow. This is a very nice tea with wonderful body. it’s rich and complex with a slight hint of umami. The flavour is continuing to linger in my mouth after I have had the tea.
Upon second steeping, the tea becomes more mature. The leaves really take on the shape of their original size and the liquor becomes more green than gold. The flavour deepens and becomes more floral with apricot notes.
When it comes to tea, my dad loves big leaves, beautiful color, and a bold taste. He’s always fond of showing me the outrageously large tea leaves in his cup after he’s steeped. I think this is one tea that I can finally share with him that he would enjoy as well. Pair this with a good book and you have what I would call a perfect day. I’m glad I started my day with this cup.
The Tea Spot as also shared that if you buy 2 Vintage Oolong teas now you can get 1 free. Just enter the total number of tins you want to receive (ie. 3 tins) and your shopping cart will take care of the rest (only charging you for 2 tins). I’m not sure how long this promotion will last for, but check it out!
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Third and fourth steeping of this tea are just as amazing as the first and second. Or keep the leaves and use them the next time you are cooking. I just made a Frittata with my reserved tea leaves:
Oolong Infused Prosciutto & Veggie Frittata
Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• ½ medium Yellow Onion, chopped (about ½ cup)
• 1 medium Squash, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 medium Bell Red Pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 cups Mushrooms (Shiitake, Baby Bellos & Oyster), diced
• ½ bunch Asparagus, diagonally sliced into 1/4 in wide sliced (about 2 cups)
• 8-10 Large Eggs (Egg White Optional)
• 1/3 cup Soy Creamer (Optional Heavy cream)
• 2 TBS VINTAGE OOLONG Tea yielding ½ cup *Oolong Tea
concentrate, chilled (or any hand-rolled single-estate oolong tea)
*Hot to make Oolong Tea Concentrate: Bring 5 oz water to a boil and let cool for 2-3 minutes, which will bring water to 180°, a good temperature to steep oolong tea. Place 2 TBS of tea in an 8 oz measuring cup. Pour 4 oz hot water over tea leaves and steep for 3 minutes. Strain tea leaves and place liquid in refrigerator to chill. **Reserve tea leaves to make iced tea.
• 2 ounces sliced prosciutto, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup Dubliner Cheese, grated (About 4 ounces)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Garnish: 1 avocado, chopped & 1 tomato, chopped
Prep Time: 20-25 min / Cook Time: 15 – 20 min
Serving Size: 4 – 6
Level: Easy
Meal Time: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch of Dinner
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to broil
2. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium – high heat. Sauté onions until soft (Optional: add 1 tablespoon of chopped already steeped Oolong tea leaves). Add pepper, squash, mushrooms and asparagus and sauté. Cover and let cook for 3 – 4 minutes.
3. Whisk eggs and creamer in a large bowl. Add chilled steeped oolong tea and whisk more thoroughly.
4. Pour in egg mixture to the veggies in the skillet and gently stir. Cover & reduce the heat to low and cook until eggs are almost set (about 8 – 10 minutes). Evenly add Prosciutto and basil to skillet and let sit for 1-2 minutes. Loosen edges with spatula and turn off stove.
5. Sprinkle cheese on top, place in oven and cook until the top starts to brown (about 3-5 minutes). Take out of oven and let sit for 2-3 minutes. Loose edges with spatula.
6. Place a large serving plate over the pan, and carefully invert to turn out the frittata. Let sit for 5 – 10 minutes
7. Cut into wedges & serve.
8. Optional: Garnish with Avocado & diced tomatoes. Serve with BOULDER BLUES Tea infused fruit salad and whole grain toast.
So glad to hear that you love our Vintage Oolong. I do too! Although I’m admittedly biased as the tea buyer for The Tea Spot. = )
I just wanted to let you & your readers know that there is an online deal right now for Vintage Oolong. Buy 2, get 1 Free! Just enter the total number of tins you want to receive (ie. 3 tins) and your cart will take care of the rest (only charging you for 2 tins).
http://theteaspot.com/product.php?productid=16148
Cheers!
Im new to Oolong tea myself and find it enticing. I love how many different varieties of tea there are and ALL of them so healthy! I like the name of Vintage Oolong, its a great way to describe it. I prefer oolong over black these days, and a favorite so far has been the Big Red Robe.