This is the Lupicia Golden Osmanthus, described as an oolong tea from Fujian Province with an aroma reminiscent of osmanthus flowers.
The dry leaf presented as a loose-leaf oolong, with medium-sized, partially rolled leaves in varied green-brown tones. Aroma from the dry leaf carried a soft floral note with a lightly honeyed edge.
Prepared by infusing 8 g of leaf in 200 mL of water at 85°C for 1 minute, the liquor presented clear and golden. Aroma opened with a blend of fruit and florals, moderately expressive.
Initial contact delivered a light, dewy floral profile, with osmanthus-like aromatics expressed as a gentle sweetness rather than a distinct blossom note. Through the mid-palate, fruit tones developed, with apricot-like stone fruit and a crisp apple sweetness providing structure. The oolong base contributed a slightly more oxidised character, adding body and weight compared to greener styles. Across subsequent infusions, the tea shifted towards a more tea-forward profile, with reduced florality and increased depth from the base leaf. Towards the finish, the floral notes softened, leaving a clean resolution with mild fruit sweetness and minimal astringency. Relative to Lupicia Taiwan Osmanthus Oolong, this version presented a heavier body and more pronounced tea character, with the osmanthus expressed more subtly and less creamily.
Overall, an oolong tea with restrained osmanthus florals and clear stone-fruit development, resulting in a slightly fuller, tea-driven profile.
This Lupicia Osmanthus Oolong contained 50 g. It was sourced from Fujian, China, packaged in Japan, and purchased in Australia in 2020, and Sendai, Japan in 2024.