Gabaron "Gaba" Oolong (ZenTara Tea)

Wednesday is Green Tea, White Tea, Rooibos, Oolong and Tisane (Herbal) Review Day!

When tea drinkers think of oolongs, we think of Taiwan or Fujian province across the water from it in China. This Japanese styled oolong is certainly a change of pace and well worth a try.

While this tea from ZenTara Tea is developed using a method first invented in Japan, it’s actually produced in Thailand.

GABA styled oolongs are subjected to nitrogen during the drying process instead of oxygen, like every other tea. This increases a type of amino acid which assists with concentration.

The dry leaves appear as rolled up brown and gold balls which plump up nicely when brewed, and produces a liquor of a deep maple gold with the slightest twinge of red.

The aroma is roasty and slightly mossy when dry. Those same mossy notes come out more pronounced and accompanies by hints of clove when brewed.

This tea is a bit sour, but roasted and mossy. It’s light for an oolong and lacks an oolongs typical tail on the finish.

I recommend this tea to anyone who enjoys new teas, oolongs with travelling flavor profiles and a beautiful liquor.