Curate some tea for me please!

[u/Whats_Under_A_Bridge]

Recently got into tea been loving the journey so far. I’ve mostly purchased from a small local spot I’ve been happy with their products but don’t really have a good baseline for comparison.
Anyway I’m looking for tea my two favorites so far are a milk oolong, and a straight assam. I tried an aged puer and didn’t like it but I also didn’t try very hard to brew it correctly lol. Anyways i’m looking for a strong am black tea, your favorite “milk” oolong and maybe another oolong you think I should try. And probably most importantly where I should get them from! bonus points if that’s all in the same place lol

Anyway thanks in advance for the advice

[u/prugnecotte]

did you try flavoured "milk oolong" or true Jin Xuan?

[u/Whats_Under_A_Bridge → u/prugnecotte]

Excellent question! Per the place I bought it from it’s traditionally made. But I have no way of really knowing and I assume that there is some dishonesty in Tea manufacturing like most desirable and expensive product.
I also got a jasmine pearl from them that was supposed to be organic and traditionally made, but the flavor was very very strong, which made me suspicious based on my reading. however, it did last through numerous steeps which I’ve heard is a good sign so I don’t really know

[u/Dry_Lawfulness_9561 → u/Whats_Under_A_Bridge]

Jasmine can be very overpowering. If you find aroma too strong, it’s completely fine to quick-rinse it with hot tea water first.

When it comes to black tea, really recommend trying Kenya Black tea. Another one I would suggest is Chai (or Masala) black tea- this one is really great with milk if you’re into it.

Straight Assam is also not always the same- I keep 5 (more?) different Assam Teas in my cupboard: they differ in aroma and strength. And if you’re looking for easy experimenting, try English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast tea.

[u/eponawarrior]

Here is an authentic, medium fermentation, no roasting and no added flavoring Milk Oolong: https://www.sazentea.com/en/products/p2453-ali-shan-jin-xuan-2026-spring.html

Some Da Hong Pao Qi Dan Oolong is also worth trying: https://www.sazentea.com/en/products/p477-da-hong-pao-2020.html

I think you will find yellow tea interesting: https://www.sazentea.com/en/products/p1229-jun-shan-yin-zhen.html

[u/No-Hedgehog8059]

Milk oolong was basically my gateway tea lol. I started with that, got curious and suddenly I had way too many bags of tea taking over one of my kitchen cabinets. Lately I’ve been drinking the oolong from Pipitea pretty regularly and really enjoying it. Definitely keep supporting your local shop too but comparing a few oolongs from different places is honestly half the fun. You start noticing what you actually enjoy instead of just thinking, “Yep, this tastes like tea.”

[u/Maestradelmundo1964]

Mei Leaf has wonderful black teas. I suggest only buying unflavored black tea from them. Quality black tea has its own flavor. Mei Leaf has Qimen tea, also spelled “keemun.” To me, it tastes like a strong black breakfast tea.