Harney & Sons Formosa Oolong Tea

This Formosa Oolong strikes a beautiful balance between green and black tea, with a smooth, medium-bodied flavor that's never harsh. You'll notice subtle sweetness and a creamy finish, with rich, comforting notes that make it easy to drink any time of day. It's bold enough to be interesting but smooth enough that you won't get any of that astringency some teas have.

Absolutely! This is one of the most beginner-friendly oolongs you can find. The flavor profile is forgiving and smooth rather than intimidating, and the tin comes with clear brewing instructions right on it. Multiple tea drinkers mention it's a great introduction to oolong because it won't punish you if your brewing isn't perfect, and it helps you understand what makes oolong special without overwhelming your palate.

The quality is consistently praised, with tea drinkers specifically mentioning the freshness and wonderful aroma when you open the tin. That said, a couple of reviewers noted finding stems or woody bits in the loose leaves, which is actually pretty normal for oolongs but worth knowing if you prefer perfectly uniform tea leaves. The flavor quality itself is excellent, with 82% consistency across cups.

The tin is both functional and helpful—it keeps the tea fresh and has brewing instructions printed right on it, which is super convenient. Just a heads up that occasionally the tin arrives with minor dents from shipping, though this doesn't affect the tea quality inside. It's still a nice touch that makes storage easy and protects the loose leaves better than a bag would.

One reviewer did mention bitterness, but this seems to be the exception rather than the rule. The overwhelming feedback is that this oolong is smooth and forgiving. That said, like any oolong, if you steep it too long or use water that's too hot, you might extract some bitterness. Stick to the brewing instructions on the tin and you should get that smooth, balanced cup everyone raves about.

A few reviewers mention it's a bit of an indulgence price-wise, but most feel the quality justifies the cost. At 3oz of loose tea, you're getting significantly more cups than you would from tea bags, and the quality is noticeably higher than grocery store brands. If you're looking for an affordable entry into premium oolongs or a reliable daily drinker that won't break the bank, this hits a sweet spot between quality and value.