A few years after first discovering fresh passionfruit, I’d eagerly try anything passionfruit flavoured. With time, that obsession has mellowed, but the tart tropical flavours of passionfruit are still some of my favourites and this is Lupicia Takibi is no exception.

The tea is a looseleaf oolong from China scented with mango and passionfruit.

Steeping 3 g of loose leaf in 200 mL of water at 85°C for 3 minutes, the infusion was a clear light amber colour with a sweet and tangy tropical aroma. Served hot, tart passionfruit notes appear briefly before developing with a mellow sweetness of mango that transitions harmoniously to the fruity sweetness of a more oxidised oolong in the body. The tropical notes of both fruits return to linger in the background into the finish for a toasty aftertaste from whence the tea gets its name, takibi, literally  ‘fire’ in Japanese. The toasted aftertaste differs from the roasted notes of a houjicha by being sharper with less sweetness.

Overall, the tea was a refreshing oolong with minimal astringency and perfect for enjoying hot or as an iced tea on a balmy summer night.

This Lupicia Takibi contained 50 g. The tea was sourced from China, packaged in Japan, and purchased in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan in 2015.