Name: White Peach Wuyi Oolong Tea

Brand: Stash Tea

Type: Oolong, flavored

Form: Paper tea bags, individually wrapped in foil

Review: There is something about hot peaches that puts me into orbit. I actually am not a fruit eater, but I can’t resist a properly cooked peach. In fact, one of the best meals I ever had was a salad plate composed of artisan cheeses, fresh greens, and grilled doughnut peaches.

(pauses to smack lips)

Now Stash’s White Peach Oolong Tea is not the height of sophistication: It’s a paper-bagged tea comprised of oolong fannings, flavored with a bit of orange zest and peach essences. But it is surprisingly good. The dark, nutty oolong and the sweet, creamy peach flavor (the orange zest may give the blend some structure, but I really can’t taste it), go together perfectly, and I can think of few hot drinks better than this on a cold day. I love the blend of dark oolong and peach, as the fruit doesn’t have to compete with the grassiness of a green tea, nor is it overwhelmed by the astringency and power of a black tea. In fact, I’ve had more than a few dark oolongs that naturally have peach notes, making the pairing of the two quite intuitive. . .and delicious.

Recommendation: This is a really yummy desert or snack tea on its own, though I’d love to try it with something made of white chocolate. Makes a lovely, substantial and heartening iced tea as well. Not a bad substitute for an afternoon snack at work. It’s sweet enough to curb cravings, and has just enough caffeine to give you a little energy boost.

Brewing Tips: No, it doesn’t need the 3-5 minutes recommended by Stash. A 1.5 minute infusion works just fine. You may also want to cool the water down very slightly to between 200F-and 208F.

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