This is the Honey Osmanthus Oolong ($7.50, no ice, light sweetness) from Chicha San Chen, a Taiwanese bubble tea chain that’s expanding to Sydney. The osmanthus oolong used in the tea was honoured with the 2023 Superior Taste Award, receiving 2 out of 3 stars from the International Taste Institute in Brussels. Unlike other tea shops that utilize pre-brewed tea stored in large containers, the tea here was meticulously weighed and brewed upon order.

The tea had a transparent golden-yellow hue, carrying the fruity floral aroma of osmanthus. When consumed chilled, the osmanthus flavour was pronounced from the first sip, characterized by its distinctive jammy apricot notes and sweet floral vibrance. The interplay of osmanthus and the added honey further elevated the floral, slightly sweet fruitiness of the oolong base with a touch of elegance and finesse. Overall, the finely balanced, invigorating vibrancy of the osmanthus clearly justified the tea’s ‘Superior Taste Award’, making it worth repurchasing.

This Honey Osmanthus Oolong was purchased from Chicha San Chen in Sydney Australia in August 2023.