Peach Oolong is Summer In A Cup

May 09, 2025

The Magic of Peach Oolong Tea

When summer peaches meet the mineral complexity of premium oolong tea, something truly magical happens. At ICHA TEA, our Peach Oolong represents this perfect balance with careful blending that celebrates both the sophisticated character of Tie Guan Yin oolong and the sweet succulence of perfectly ripe peaches.

With each sip, you'll discover layers of flavour unfolding. Initially, fresh peach greets your palate, followed by the creamy, floral qualities of the premium oolong followed by lingering sweetness that entices you back for more. The experience evolves subtly with each infusion, revealing additional dimensions of both the fruit essence and the tea's natural character as you continue to enjoy.

The Foundation: Tie Guan Yin Oolong

Our Peach Oolong begins with an exceptional foundation: Tie Guan Yin oolong from Fujian Province. This celebrated tea offers the ideal canvas for delicate scenting due to its naturally floral character and light roasting.

Tie Guan Yin occupies the middle range of the oolong oxidation spectrum, bringing together the brightness of lighter oolongs with deeper, more developed flavours. Its natural notes of orchid, cream, and subtle mineral qualities mix with the peach essence, enhancing the best qualities of both.

(Learn more about Tie Guan Yin Oolong in this article)

The Artful Science of Scenting With Fruit Essence

The creation of our Peach Oolong tea represents a balance between time-honoured traditions and modern techniques. Unlike artificially flavoured teas that rely on synthetic compounds, our approach honours the integrity of both the tea and the fruit essence.

The process begins with carefully prepared Tie Guan Yin leaves, which are then artfully scented using a combination of natural peach essential oils and real fruit pieces. This creates a multi-dimensional peach character that evolves throughout the steeping process.

The natural organic flavours used are created through careful extraction methods. Essential oils from real peaches are dissolved using both food-grade ethyl alcohol and vegetable glycerin as carriers. The alcohol-based process extracts and preserves the volatile compounds that create the bright, immediate aroma, while glycerin-based extraction captures the water-soluble components that develop more slowly, creating depth and longevity in the flavour profile. Flavoured teas are also called blended teas or scented teas.

The Composition

Each ingredient in our Peach Oolong tea serves a specific purpose in the final composition:

Tie Guan Yin Oolong: Forms the base with its natural floral and creamy notes
Peach Pieces: Provide authentic fruit character and visual appeal
Plum Petals: Add a subtle depth that enhances the stone fruit quality
Sunflower and Calendula Petals: Bring visual warmth and contribute delicate honeyed notes
Natural Organic Flavours: Tie everything together with consistent peach essence

This thoughtful combination creates a tea that balances each ingredient with precision. Rather than simply adding flavour, each element creates a harmonious experience where the whole becomes greater than the sum of its individual parts.

Brewing Your Perfect Cup

To experience the full spectrum of our Peach Oolong, we recommend:

Water Temperature: 90°C (195°F) – slightly cooler than boiling
Quantity: 1 teaspoon (3-5g) per 250ml water
Initial Steep: 4-5 minutes for the first infusion
Subsequent Steeps: Add 30 seconds to additional infusions

The first steep showcases the vibrant peach notes, while subsequent infusions allow more of the oolong's character to emerge.

Cold Brew: For a refreshing summer variation, try cold brewing in the refrigerator overnight for 8-12 hours. Two heaping tablespoons is enough for a 1.5-2 litre pitcher. The slow extraction creates a remarkably smooth, sweet infusion with pronounced peach notes and no astringency. Adding sweetener is optional as it will be naturally sweet!

Perfect Food Pairings

Peach Oolong tea pairs beautifully with:

Light pastries and shortbread
Fresh summer fruits
Mild cheeses
Almond or vanilla desserts

It makes an exceptional afternoon tea but is light enough to enjoy throughout the day. The natural sweetness also makes it a perfect choice for those looking to reduce sugar consumption while still satisfying a sweet craving. For those with caffeine sensitivities, be aware that Peach Oolong has about 50-75mg of caffeine depending on how long it is steeped.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flavoured Teas

How are teas scented with essential oils?

Scenting tea with essential oils involves a delicate process where natural flavourings derived from real fruits or flowers are mixed with the tea leaves. The two primary carrier methods are ethyl alcohol and vegetable glycerin.

The ethyl alcohol method excels at extracting and preserving the aromatic compounds from peaches, creating the bright, immediate scent you experience upon opening the tin. The vegetable glycerin method captures more water-soluble compounds, which develop slowly during brewing and contribute to the tea's lasting sweetness and body.

In our Peach Oolong, both techniques are used to create a full-spectrum peach character that evolves throughout your drinking experience.

Does flavouring diminish the quality of the tea?

Quite the contrary! Tie Guan Yin oolong stands beautifully on its own. The scenting process enhances rather than masks its natural qualities. Think of it as similar to how a skilled perfumer might layer complementary notes to create something more complex and interesting than any single scent.

How long does flavoured tea stay fresh?

Properly stored flavoured teas maintain their character for about 12 months. To preserve freshness, store in an airtight container away from light, heat, moisture, and strong odours.

A Cup of Sunshine Awaits

Our Peach Oolong tea is a great summer refreshment. It creates a sensory experience that elegantly bridges traditional tea craftsmanship with contemporary tastes. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned tea connoisseur or you're just beginning to explore the world of oolong, this exceptional blend provides both an accessible and sophisticated gateway to the pleasures of flavoured tea.

The next time you find yourself craving something both comforting and uplifting, brew a cup of our Peach Oolong and take a break from the hustle and bustle. Each sip evokes the warmth of sun-ripened orchards and the serenity of misty mountain tea gardens, all from the comfort of your favourite teacup.

Ready to experience this perfect harmony of fruit and oolong for yourself? Shop our Peach Oolong Tea today and bring a touch of orchard-fresh sweetness to your tea collection.