This is the Crimson Apple Glow ($10.30; no ice, 50% sweetness; with osmanthus jelly and agar pearls) from Tea Republic, featuring a Dà Hóng Páo oolong base flavoured with apple.
The beverage presented with a translucent brown hue, with the jelly and pearls settled at the base. Aroma opened with a fragrant, roasted oolong profile, supported by a soft apple note.
Initial contact delivered immediate oolong aromatics alongside a clear apple presence with mellow sweetness. Through the mid-palate, the tea developed caramel-like and roasted notes, with the apple sitting over this base, forming a profile reminiscent of candied apple. At 50% sweetness, the balance remained controlled; any increase would likely have reduced definition. Towards the finish, the roasted tea and residual sweetness carried through with a clean resolution, though without significant lift from the inclusions.
The osmanthus jelly contributed a smooth, bouncy texture but showed minimal floral character, reading largely as neutral sweetness. It also moved poorly through the paper straw, interrupting flow. The agar pearls mirrored this behaviour, adding elasticity without flavour contribution. Together, the inclusions provided texture but limited aromatic or flavour complexity. The absence of fresh apple pieces was notable, particularly given the flavour direction, where added crunch and acidity would have improved contrast and structure.
Overall, a flavoured oolong beverage with a candied apple profile and balanced sweetness, though inclusions remain textural rather than flavour-driven, resulting in a clean but simplified structure.
This Crimson Apple Glow was purchased from Tea Republic in Sydney, Australia in April 2026.