Six Summits Oolong (review)

Name: Six Summits Oolong

Brand: Teavana

Type: Oolong, flavored

Form: Loose Leaf

Cost: $18.00 for 2 ounces (quantity discounts are available)

Review: When I was presented with Six Summits Oolong in the Teavana shop at Water Tower place, I was overwhelmed by how delicious it smelled. I brought it to work the next day, and even before I got a chance to try it, I prepared it for some coworkers who pronounced it one of the most delicious teas they had ever tried.

Naturally, I had to make some for myself.

I know that a lot of tea purists reject flavored teas on principle. I like flavored teas, but am sympathetic to the objections raised by the tea purists: Many flavored teas are made with inferior tea leaves and/or  are overwhelmed with flavoring agents such that the beverage bears little, if any, resemblance to tea.  (In fact, in my review of Teavana’s Formosa Nut Oolong, I noted my preference for its second infusion which was not as strongly flavored as the first, allowing me to appreciate the tea itself.)

The creator of Six Summits Oolong clearly had these objections in mind when s/he formulated this blend. Teavana describes this tea as having a “luscious natural berry” flavor, and I think that description is apt: The berry flavor is rich and luscious without being sweet. The tea-blender understood that a Formosa oolong has its own sweetness, so s/he let the tea do its job and taste sweet, whilst enhanced by the berry flavoring.

This tea also has a distinctly buttery quality, which is lovely with the berry flavor and contributes to a full, rich mouthfeel without being over-the-top (there is a slight, pleasant astringency at the finish). Even better is the way this tea holds its character through multiple infusions: The berry note may fade a bit, but never goes away, and the rich, sweet, buttery oolong holds up like a champ. As I type this review,  I am on my fifth infusion, and still greatly enjoying this wonderful tea.

Recommendation: This is an elegant, refined tea that should please both flavored tea lovers and eschewers alike:  Those that like flavored teas will appreciate the skillful blending of a high-quality berry essence with an already delicious oolong. Those who normally shun flavored teas might be surprised at how well deft blending can enhance, not compete, the natural flavor of a tea.

The price of this tea is high, but the tea stands up fabulously to multiple infusions, making it a reasonably good value.

Please note that Teavana recommends that the water used in steeping this tea be 195 degrees Fahrenheit: Do NOT use hotter water in as it will diminish the flavor of this tea.

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Tagged as: flavored tea, oolong, six summits oolong, tea, tea reviews, teavana