This is the Grapefruit & Lemon Tieguanyin ($9.30, less ice, regular sweetness, +$1.00 for golden pearls) from Tea & Co. It featured a seasonal rock orchid tieguanyin tea leaf, paired with slices of lemon and red pomelo flesh. It presented with an opaque golden-orange hue, layered from the base with red pomelo pulp and golden pearls, while the lemon slices floated at the top.
When consumed chilled, the orchid notes of the oolong came through strongly at the head of each sip, followed mid-sip by the fruity citrus tones of lemon and grapefruit, which contributed flavour without notable acidity. The citrus oils added a faint bitterness that lingered in the finish, where the oolong’s orchid character returned and dominated the aftertaste. The golden pearls lacked the tenderness and chewiness of those offered by Tea Republic, though the oolong itself provided a smooth mouthfeel. The intensity of the floral notes was somewhat confronting in this preparation, working more harmoniously when paired with milk tea, where the creaminess tempers the florality.
Overall, this drink delivered a striking floral-forward profile with layered citrus notes, though the boldness of the orchid character made it better suited to milk-based preparations than fruit tea.
This Grapefruit & Lemon Tieguanyin was purchased from Tea & Co in Sydney, Australia in August, 2025.