TeaForum.org

Hi

Overall new to drinking quality tea the Gongfu way. Now I enjoyed several sessions at home and but today I drank a Formosa oolong and it was quitte bitter.. just like you would brew with a regular teabag.. I must say this oolong I bought in a small gift store and maybe the quality isn’t that good..
Tried to vary with temperature and brew times but overall just bitterness and harsh aftertaste.

What could this be?

Seels wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 18, 2023 9:29 am

What could this be?

Bad quality tea. It was only called Formosa Oolong? This kind of generic naming hints to very low quality, often not even from Taiwan... (it might say produce of TW but this may be a lie). Harshness can also hint to excessive pesticide use.

I would throw that out

Quality Taiwanese oolong does not go bitter, and definitely not harsh.

If you live in the US/Canada, consider https://floatingleaves.com/collections/oolong

If you live elsewhere, you could try https://www.wangfamilytea.com/shop

These will allow you to sample widely and reach free shipping.