Pomegranate Oolong Tea

In the mood for dessert but don’t feel like consuming the calories that usually accompany such decadent treats? Or perhaps, even if you couldn’t care less about health and calories, you just feel like satisfying your sweet tooth but don’t have the time or wherewithal to make yourself dessert. If so, Harney and Sons’ Pomegranate Oolong tea will hit just the right spot. It has enough of a fragrant, light-bodied, flowery aroma to satisfy your sweet tooth, yet isn’t so delicate that it can't stand up on its own to suit any occasion -- even when you don't crave dessert. Harney’s extra long oolong leaves are infused with flavorful pomegranate to create this unique blend. Now, what is oolong, you ask? Just a quick little tutorial before I proceed with the review: Oolong tea is a cross between green and black tea with a much more light and fragrant (and less brisk) flavor. Through repeated (and complicated) steps, oolong tea leaves are partially oxidized, whereas green tea is not oxidized at all and black tea is fully oxidized.
Anyway, I wasn’t expecting anything special from this tea, as most teas steeped with fruity undertones generally remind me of artificial gum, but I was delightfully proven wrong after my first mug full. This specific type of oolong meshes particularly well with the pomegranate flavors and leaves a pleasantly sweet flavor on the tongue after you’ve taken a swig. It tastes and smells juicy, and actually reminds me of chomping into the succulent seeds of a pomegranate. Best served by steeping one sachet in less than boiling water for five to eight minutes, depending on how strong you like your brew. Equally good when served with sweetener or without. If you do prefer sweet tea, my sweetener of choice is agave nectar! Creamer is a big no-no with this tea. Don't forget to inhale the sweet-smelling steam right before taking a sip -- the aroma greatly enhances the taste of this tea.