New Tea for Spring: Orchid Oolong

We've been drinking chai all winter and now that it seems like spring is here to stay (knock on wood), we feel ready for a change. We picked up a sampler of orchid oolong tea the other day, and already, we can tell this will have a regular place in our morning routine!

Oolong is a type of tea made from leaves that have undergone partial oxidization, putting it somewhere between green tea and black tea in terms of flavor. Most types we've tried taste grassy and pleasantly bitter at first sip, but then mellow out and finish slightly sweet.

The dried orchids add a floral aroma and an almost coconut-like flavor. The full affect is warming but also fresh - perfect for spring mornings!

As with almost all of our teas, we prefer to buy orchid oolong looseleaf and in bulk. You can find it through most tea vendors. If shopping online, we've been happy with the folks over at Mighty Leaf.

• Orchid Oolong Tea from Mighty Leaf, $9.50 for 4-ounces

What other teas would you recommend trying right now?

(Image: Flickr member abon licensed under Creative Commons)