I was just talking to a reader, of marTEA.com, last week about how I don’t get enough time to drink as much Oolong as I would like. I’ve made it a point to personally try every product I write about. Copying and pasting press releases and calling it a blog is not what I want to do. That said, I like to try about 3 teas or more a week. Unfortunately, Oolong often has to take a back seat. That is until now…without planning it’s raining Oolong at marTEA.com.

Zarafina offers a “Wuyi Oolong Rock Tea.” The tea grows in the Wuyi mountains of China. I made this Oolong in my Zarafina tea maker suite, and I was floored by how great it tasted. First of all, the dried leaves are huge and full of character. The floral scent of the dried leaves builds the excitement. I set the Zarafina tea maker suite to “Oolong”, “Loose”, and “Strong” as my desired tea settings. After the tea steeped and poured into the pot automagically by the tea maker suite, I poured the first cup. The color of the liquor was a bright copper. The floral scent was still present in the tea. After my first sip, I was very impressed. Many teas do not retain their scent within the flavor. For certain teas, you would not want the taste to equal the aroma. In this case, since the aroma of the tea was so pleasing, I was hoping it would taste half as good as the scent. It was better. I don’t want new tea drinkers to think this tea tastes like you’re drinking a scented candle. The floral scent I’m referring to is very natural and inviting. This is how Zarafina describes the tea: “Growing among the fabled Wuyi Mountains, wrapped in the clouds and fog that gives its leaves their incredible, complex perfume and taste.” I don’t go for multiple infusions of the teas I drink that often, but this one I had to try it over and over. I’m such a fan of Oolong teas. I definitely recommend this one.

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If you are looking for an easy and efficient way to make tea, Zarafina has an innovative product to help you. As loose leaf tea continues to gain popularity in the U.S. due to the countless health benefits and superior natural flavor, a popular method for steeping tea needs to be established. Coffee drinkers have a plethora of coffee makers to choose from to prepare their beverage of choice. Tea drinkers have not been as fortunate. Zarafina is filling the void. If you are comfortable with your current tea making technique, this product may not appeal to you right now. However, I think the timing is right for Zarafina’s product to take-off. Most people I know have no idea how to make loose leaf tea. I know a lot of intelligent people, and when they see my “real” tea, they always ask, “how do you make it?” After I explain, they go off and… get a coffee.

Zarafina’s tea maker helps tea drinkers by standardizing the tea making process:

• Pick the type of tea you are drinking: black, oolong, green, white, herbal (the dry tea is held in a tea basket. It floats on the water until the water temperature is right for your tea type).



• Select a “brew strength” strong, medium, or mild.
• It knows how hot to make the water.
• The tea maker steeps the tea for the correct amount of time - every time. You no longer need to watch the pot like a hawk. It’s ok if you need to do another task while your favorite tea is steeping.
• The tea flows into a pot made for two - very similar to a coffee maker.
• The entire process takes about 7 minutes or so.

What I like most about the Zarafina tea maker is the noticeable quality of the product. I was impressed with the packaging of the product. Packaging is very important to me. It let’s me know that the company cares about the customer and the delivery and presentation of the product. The quality of the tea pot, cups, and various pieces of the tea maker suite all seem to be very durable. I’ve had the tea maker suite for about two weeks. Like any food or beverage appliance, a good washing is in order after you remove it from the box. I ran a few “test” brews through the tea maker to get all of the “newness” out of the hardware. So far, I’ve drank a few of my favorite black teas and an oolong, all made with the tea maker suite. After a little practice, my tea is tasting just as good as it did with my other brewing methods. With this tea maker, I don’t need to worry about water temperature and steeping time. Life is hectic enough. My practice time with this product was geared more toward how much tea I needed to use to get the brew strengths where I like them.

Last night was the moment of truth. I made the first “tea for two” using my Zarafina tea suite for my wife. Regardless of how you make your tea, there’s nothing better than enjoying it with someone you love.

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