This is the Honey Osmanthus Oolong ($7.20, +$1.00 for large, +$0.80 for green tea jelly, normal ice, 10% sugar) from Chun Yang.
The beverage was a transparent orange hue. Consumed chilled, the osmanthus offered a fruity apricot-like floral flavour that became prominent from the initial sip and remained equally balanced with the oolong, extending through to the finish. The inherent roasted, floral notes of the oolong elegantly complemented the osmanthus profile. Notably, the oolong carried a distinct astringency that lingered on the palate after each sip, yet without introducing bitterness during consumption. The osmanthus flowers contributed a subtle texture serving as a gentle reminder of their presence without intensifying the osmanthus flavour in the already-flavoured tea base. The introduction of the green tea jelly offered a soft and easily ingestible aspect, smoothly ascending through the straw. This addition imparted lightly toasted, sweet notes reminiscent of Chinese green tea, notably avoiding any vegetal undertones.
On the whole, this beverage delivered a highly enjoyable experience, marked by a well-balanced sweetness, robust tea flavour, and vibrant floral notes. Nevertheless, the same beverage from Chicha San Chen is our preferred choice as it steered clear of the slightly puckering astringency detected in this version.
This Honey Osmanthus Oolong was purchased from Chun Yang at 603 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 in September 2023.