Sep 30
Review: Teavana Formosa Nut Oolong
Almond Tea, Apple Tea, Oolong Tea, Pistachio Tea, Teavana Add commentsVanessa’s Teaview Snapshot
 | "Rather than melding tea base and flavors together, the oolong tea was first on the palette, followed separately by a general fruit-and-nut flavor."
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Teavana's Formosa Nut Oolong is one of those teas that, based on its online description and appearance, had me beyond excited to sample. Teavana describes the blend as "A complex combination of Chinese and Taiwanese oolong teas with sweet fruity and nutty overtones from apples, pistachios, almonds, and candied violet flowers". My first reaction to this description was: "Candied violet flowers?????" Sure enough, when I received my sample, the candied violet flowers were the visual star in this sample. Covered in pastel purple sugar, the flowers almost resembled shriveled Peeps marshmallow candies. The blend also contained large pieces of apple, slivered almonds, and pieces of pistachio. The fruit and nut ingredients are all flavors I really enjoy, and I was intrigued by the candied violet flowers, so needless to say I was really looking forward to tasting this tea. I prepared the tea as recommended by Teavana, steeping the tea in sub-boiling water for 3 minutes, although I used a little more than the recommended one teaspoon of leaves. As with many good-quality oolongs, the leaves, when infused, became very large and voluminous. So far, this was looking to be a tasty treat. But, eventually my high expectations gave rise to some minor disappointment. My first sip of this tea produced a very awkward aftertaste, although as I progressed through the cup, the aftertaste became less noticeable. The aftertaste was a sugary-almond flavor, but was just a little too strong. I felt as though rather than melding tea base and flavors together, the oolong tea was first on the palette, followed separately by a general fruit-and-nut flavor. Additionally, I was surprised that the tea seemed watered down, despite my using more than the directed amount of leaves. I never really tasted much of the candied violet flowers...perhaps the sugar contributed to some of the sweet flavors, but I couldn't really taste any violet notes in the blend. In all, although this tea was certainly drinkable and a bit different than your average oolong, I didn't love it nearly as much as I thought I would. I think this is one of those teas that sounds good in theory, and whose appearance looks impressive and appealing. But, as many of us have noted before, ultimately, tea is for drinking. If the blend can't deliver on the flavor, than not even all of the candied violet flowers in the world will redeem it.
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