I first encountered a ginseng oolong when a colleague ordered it at Tea Journal. Thrilled with my sip, I subsequently found the Taiwan Ginseng Oolong ($5.00) at White Rabbit Teahouse attached to the contemporary Asian art gallery.

The tea is a balled looseleaf blend of organic oolong and Panax ginseng root, and described as being a ‘perfect pair with ginseng adding zing to oolong’s calm’ along with having a heavenly fragrance.

The infusion was an orange straw colour with a fresh aroma with earthy undertones. Consumed hot, initial brisk notes of the oolong develop with the earthy sweetness of the ginseng in the body that persists through to the end of the sip and lingered pleasantly on the palate. I’m not one usually drawn to teas inspired by herbs from East Asia, but I’m delighted to have discovered ginseng oolong.

This Taiwan Ginseng Oolong was ordered at White Rabbit Tea House located at 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale NSW 2008 during July 2019.