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    Home • Blog Posts

    Theodor Launch of Absolu Oolong Tea

    Published: May 4, 2015 · Modified: Jun 1, 2023 by Jill Colonna9 Comments

    Discovering the art of launching a new tea, thanks to the French teas of Theodor. With the launch of Absolu Oolong tea in Paris, discover more about Chinese green oolong tea. What is green oolong and how to serve it to best enjoy its flavours.

    Oolong green tea Theodor Paris

    Discovering French Teas

    As a Brit, I am used to my classic and familiar, comforting teas. English Breakfast, Darjeeling, Ceylon, Rooibos and Earl Grey are no strangers to my teapot and dare I say, I love to add a tiny little nuage or cloud of milk to my cuppa, which probably has tea connoisseurs throwing their hands up in horror.

    More French in style, evenings call for lighter, calming infusions such as la verveine (lemon verbena) and a widening range in my cupboard of fragrant green teas. For more on this, read my recipe post on Lemon Verbena ice cream.

    So when I heard from my sweet friend, Francis, about an exciting launch last week of a tea made by creator, Guillaume Leleu (aka l'Insolent Parisian) of Theodor Tea, I had to see what the fuss was about.  Headed with a strong umbrella to face the Parisian downpour, I joined him for the tasting at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.

    View of the Eiffel Tower from the Palais de Tokyo Paris

    The launch was all about Theodor's new J.C. Absolu Oolong.  For a start, I loved the name and was intrigued...

    Theodor tea Paris absolu oolong

    Before the tasting, Monsieur Leleu took us on passionately guided "voyage in the garden of creation" of his Chinese Oolong green tea.

    Tea voyage with Mr Leleu of Theodor Paris

    Theodor has been around in Paris since 2002 and within just a few years it now exports to over 30 countries. It has been three years since the Impertinent Parisian created a new tea for Theodor and creating such a tea like this doesn't just happen overnight.

    It took 20 months to create this perfumed oolong, needing 230 versions to arrive at the final result.

    tea voyage discovery of Absolu Oolong

    These lotus flowers give an added "je ne sais quoi" to the taste (although I've never tasted lotus flower so have to try this experience) and there are strong natural aromas of both white peach and pear in there too. The addition of goji berries and carthame flowers add to the magic.

    The addition of the white cornflowers (bottom right test tube below) were purely for blending the tea naturally together, as there is absolutely no fragrance in white cornflowers. Who knew?

    Tea making process at Theodor Paris

    What Temperature Should Green Tea Be Served?

    According to the packet instructions, the water should not be boiled for green tea.  It's best poured at a temperature between 75°-85°C and the tea infused for 2.5 to 4 minutes.

    This helps appreciate the unique flavours.

    tea tasting game of Theodor Absolu Oolong

    What is Oolong Tea?

    Oolong tea is a Tie Guan Yin tea from China from the region of Fujian and only partially fermented. In China, oolong is only fermented 12-20.

    Oolong is reputed to have many benefits from drinking it. It helps reduce cholesterol, if consumed regularly. It's delicious served at any time of day (perhaps except breakfast, as it's too light). My preference is with most light lunch recipes.

    So a green oolong tea is more sophisticated with flavours that are less 'green'. With the addition of flower petals and flavours of pear and white peach, this Absolo Oolong is also great paired with food.

    What to Serve with Oolong Tea

    Oolong green tea with French cheese
    Try cheese with oolong green tea and see how it works

    Who would have believed that cheese was served with the tea. As a wine lover, I was expecting mature cheeses to overpower tea but no, it was a wonderful combination.

    François (pictured below) explained that in Belgium and in Holland, Betty Koster champions matching cheese and teas. The brie came stuffed with truffles from the Maison de la Truffe. Woah! The Oolong green tea was sensational together.

    Picorette's tea salon staff from Granville, Normandy France
    Say 'teas'!

    What a fabulous team at Theodor.  Cheers to the lovely staff who came from Normandy to serve tea for the occasion, from Picorette, famous restaurant tea salon in Granville.  Many thanks to the team for a most warming welcome and to Guillaume Leleu for the discovery of this rather special oolong tea.

    I look forward to serving it with cheese, treats like financiers and French salted butter biscuits, and with the Parisian pastries in Teatime in Paris!

    Guillaume Leleu Theodor Paris Jill Colonna
    Yabsolutely Absolu Oolong!

    I wonder what Monsieur Leleu is dreaming up for his next tea creation?

    Guillaume Leleu of Theodor Paris
    Theodor's Guillaume Leleu thinking up his next French tea

    In the meantime, pop in to the Theodor boutique at 28 rue des Sablons in the 16th, near Trocadéro. To discover more about this fascinating French tea house, read my post on Theodor.

    Note: This was a free tasting open to the public at the Palais Tokyo in Paris on 30 April 2015. This post is not sponsored in any way.

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    Meet Jill Colonna

    Jill is both Scottish and French and author of the book and blog, Mad About Macarons since 2010. Here she shares over 30 years of experience of living the healthy food life with her French family in Paris - via easy recipes and local food guides in France.

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    1. Thomasina

      May 08, 2015 at 9:34 pm

      It is so interesting to read about different kinds of teas. Thank you Jill. AND I really love the photos.

      Reply
    2. sarrousse

      May 06, 2015 at 11:19 am

      Your last picture is perfect !!!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        May 06, 2015 at 11:56 am

        Thank you. Creative moment 🙂

        Reply
    3. Francis

      May 05, 2015 at 11:05 pm

      Great article !
      By the way, I am not familiar with lotus flower. So it can be difficult to separate this flower taste with peach and pear.
      Guillaume Leleu created an other oolong, called Vietnam Oolong Blue Lotus.
      http://www.theodor.fr/shop/thes-verts-parfumes/412-vietnam-blue-oolong-lotus.html
      May be in this case it will be easier to feel how the lotus really taste.
      Anyway, I really like Absolu Oolong too ! 🙂

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        May 06, 2015 at 7:54 am

        Merci, Francis. Vietnam Oolong Blue Lotus here we come!

        Reply
    4. Contestchef

      May 05, 2015 at 7:58 pm

      Your blog is impressive, thanks to the quality of your recipes & other content. We would be glad if you would participate on Contestchef so that your quality recipes can contest with other such bloggers/ recipe creators and win accolades from various players in the global food industry.

      Contestchef is a global forum for food/ recipe bloggers to showcase their skills to the world. This is a one of a kind concept and backed by food conglomerates around the world. Several recipe creators/bloggers are already contesting on Contestchef.
      Click to join Contestchef
      Sincerely,
      Nandy
      Contestchef

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        May 06, 2015 at 7:52 am

        Thanks for your kind comments, Nandy. I'll take a look at it and get back to you via email.

        Reply
    5. Liz

      May 05, 2015 at 1:05 am

      The tea packaging is just gorgeous---such nice attention to detail. Sound like it's the perfect tea time tea!!!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        May 05, 2015 at 7:30 am

        I wish you could taste it, Liz. I didn't mention it here but I would even prefer it just on its own - it's pretty special!

        Reply

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