Whipping winds send my mind to summer memories that seem to be slipping as the temperatures quickly fall. In hopes of settling into warmer thoughts, I was inspired to take a closer look at how I could unearth the sweet scent of honeysuckle even on the coldest day.
While retreating to a printed place, I found the answer to my prayers in Whole Living magazine with the simple mention of the queen of the sensory experience, Mandy Aftel. An artist in the aromatic world, Mandy hand blends artisan perfumes using only pure and natural ingredients.
As I searched my way through her site to the hopeful honeysuckle destination, I serendipitously stumbled upon her perfumed teas. This collection “grew out of [her] love for oolong tea—its complexity and beauty is like a perfume in itself. Essential oils and absolutes are layered onto this exquisite base of first-quality leaves to create a beautiful, subtle taste and scent experience.”
Her Linden Blossom Oolong tea spoke of honeysuckle notes that sent me swooning. Immediately inspired by our shared love of oolong, I tweeted for all the world to hear about this wonderful find and was soon greeted by a response from Mandy herself asking if I would like to try a sample. The rest is history, but here are a few notes just in case you want a peek at my love affair with a perfumed tea.
Letting the water temperature rise to just under boiling (190-205), I steeped the rolled Gui Fei oolong leaves (that are layered with the essence of Linden blossom) for 3 minutes. Keep in mind that this tea can be steeped up to 4 times, so set aside a quiet afternoon to indulge in this floral treat.
The delicate flavor of this golden liquor is subtle at first. Similar to that of a flower opening in spring, the sensory experience intensifies with every passing moment. The floral, nutty notes of the Gui Fei oolong complement the sweet honeysuckle notes of the organic linden blossom with gentle hints of citrus.
The delicate flavor slowly builds to a deeper taste that lingers long after the sip. When you find yourself halfway through the first cup, take a moment and breathe in through your nose with your mouth closed and let your senses experience the aromas and flavors on your palate. I know that this may sound a bit strange, but a few deep breaths bring out nuances of this aromatic tea that can be slowly savored before you find that your cup is dry.
With every sip, it seemed as if a honeysuckle garden was gently planting its roots in my palate and quickly growing into a summer garden as the flavor and aroma grew stronger and more complex. Mandy has crafted a truly elegant adventure for the senses.
Many thanks to Mandy Aftel for her generosity and sharing her artisan steep with me. Stay tuned for upcoming posts that highlight the rest of her collection of perfumed teas.
Note: I found that the 2nd steeping offered the most intense aromatic adventure, as my palate had lingering flavors from the first steep. Also, the leaves and linden blossom essence may have been gently awakened with the first splash of water and needed some time to truly bloom during the second steep.
What is your favorite aromatic tea memory or moment?
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