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Rating: 4.86
49 reviews »
Origin: Meghma Estate / Ilam, Nepal
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How To: 1 tsp. / 6oz cup
160 - 180° boiling water
3 minute infusion
Filed under: Mild Teas, Nepal, Oolong Tea

Honeybee

Nepalese Oolong Tea, Meghma, Nepal

Honeybee is produced in tiny quantities by our dear friend Madan Tamang at his family’s Meghma Tea Estate. At 7,000 feet, it is one of the highest, and most remote, tea growing areas in the world! This gorgeous hand-crafted, oolong tea is made using traditional Taiwanese methods adapted for use in Nepal. After plucking, the leaves are hand rolled, covered with cloth and spread out on a table to dry. When infused, the tea exudes the aroma of native Daphne bholua and Rhododendron plants, with a slight touch of honey and fruit. Honeybee is one of our most popular favorites, and is perfect any time of day. Enjoy hot or iced.

Be sure to check out our exclusive Behind The Cup interview with the producer of this tea. It’s a remarkable story of one man’s passion for oolong tea and for the slowly disappearing Rhododendron forests in his beloved Nepal.

Item Points Stock Price Quantity
Large - 4 oz SKU: 21140001 Makes 60 cups ($0.23 /cup) 14 in stock $13.95
Sample - 1 oz SKU: 21140000 Makes 15 cups ($0.33 /cup) 5 in stock $4.95
Pinewood Gift Box - 2 oz SKU: 21140003 Makes 25 cups ($0.40 /cup) 10 in stock $9.95
Bulk - By The Pound SKU: 21140002 Makes 240 cups ($0.17 /cup) 45 in stock $44.95 $39.95 Save: $5.00 (11%)
 
Reviews
4.86 (49 reviews)

Great aroma, smooth flavor

Nov 20, 2008 by: Alexis Vinn, New York, NY 5

Honeybee has a great, fresh aroma and smooth flavor. I look forward to many more purchases. Thanks.

Soothing

Nov 17, 2008 by: Sharon B., Dallas, TX 5

One of the most delicious oolongs I have tasted.

Delicious tea

Sep 25, 2008 by: Brian Mahlo, Chicago, IL 5

One of my favorites.

Honeybee Tea-rrific!

Jan 31, 2008 by: Shen 5

Lovely! Intoxicating aroma! Delicately fruity with hints of honey and pepper! A cold weather comfort!

Exquisite flavor

Nov 27, 2007 by: Mark 5

Honeybee is one of the most exquisite teas I've ever sipped. I was intrigued by the story of Madan Tamang, and was delighted by his tea. Its wonderful to feel closer to the source of these teas.

fresh and fruity

Nov 15, 2007 by: Mary 4

fruity aromas, lovely tea

Possibly the best tea ever!

Oct 30, 2007 by: Ken 5

Honeybee is quite possibly the best tea ever! The smell of this tea is rich in honey and fruit. Delightful!

Smooth

Oct 14, 2007 by: toni 5

beautiful tea! The leaves greet you with an outstanding smell and when infused it is really out of this world.

Lovely tea

Sep 19, 2007 by: Alessa 4

Honeybee is the first Nepalese oolong I have tried. I was not disappointed. This is a lovely, fragrant cup of tea.

Honeybee is a very special tea

Aug 13, 2007 by: Prakash 5

I've been drinking Honeybee every day since I received my simple leaf order. I never knew what an oolong was, and this is a lovely way to find out. Thank you. The tea reminds me of hill stations in India, lovely aromas, and perfect to sip on a cool day.

Smooth Fruity Flavor

Aug 4, 2007 by: Daniel 5

The aroma jumps out at you when you first open the bag, giving a taste of things to come. Honeybee does not disappoint in every aspect - from aroma, to flavor. It lasted about 4 infusions.

Great aromatics!

Jun 23, 2007 by: Phyll 4

Cumin, oregano and white pepper! Fresh and expressive.

Lovely

Jun 6, 2007 by: Avinash 5

I just read Mr. Sheng's writeup about this oolong on the tching website. As a customer of yours, I have to say I agree with everything he says. This is a truly GREAT tea!

Excellent Oolong

Jun 1, 2007 by: Blake 5

I've been dying to try a south asian oolong - Honeybee has made me realize how Indians and Nepalese make such wonderful tea. Honeybee is really outstanding on many levels. It is bright and full bodied, with a delicious aftertaste of honey. Aptly named!

I couldn't resist

May 15, 2007 by: Ashleigh 5

Well, I came back like I said, and bought a bunch more, for myself and as gifts for friends. Honeybee just seems to taste better every time.

Really delicious

May 15, 2007 by: jodie2000 5

I received Honeybee as a mother's day gift from my son. I don't think I have ever tasted a tea quite like this one. I can taste the honey flavor, but it also has definite characteristics of Darjeeling tea. My husband and I are drinking this tea several times a day/

A palate pleaser!

May 3, 2007 by: skyedog 5

This is one of my favorite teas, it everything it is said to be in the description. It is light yet full of flavor. I enjoy it anytime of day but mostly in the afternoon or early evening!

Terrific

Apr 30, 2007 by: Ashleigh 5

I bought Honeybee along with the Iced Tea Infuser Jug (Ceylon) and gave the cold infused iced tea recipe a try. The results were delicious. Thanks very much for the very fast shipping and for the free samples I received along with my order. I'll definitely be coming back.

Classic

Apr 9, 2007 by: amd_2000 5

Honeybee is one of the few teas I have tried this year that I really love.

Superb

Mar 29, 2007 by: William 5

Honeybee really opened my eyes to how delicious a "real" cup of tea can be. The Dali Lama himself would be impressed. Can't wait to try the iced tea recipe with this!

Outstanding

Mar 26, 2007 by: Michael 5

One of the best teas I have tasted this year.

lovely tea

Mar 24, 2007 by: elizabeth 5

thanks so much for this tea. it is delicious.

Truly Wonderful

Mar 10, 2007 by: Chandy 5

I'm with Bill. The customer service is really outstanding. They promptly replied to my questions and the tea was shipped very quickly. I was quite surprised actually at just how fast it arrived. About Honeybee - it is really delicious. I dont think I have everhad an oolong tea before and this is just amazing. Great job Simple Leaf!

Delicious. Simply Delicious.

Feb 24, 2007 by: Bill 5

I am really enjoying this tea every day. I'm glad I was introduced to this site and to this tea. The customer service is outstanding and the tea is great. Honeybee is my favorite.

A great tea

Dec 19, 2006 by: Adam Guenle 5

This was a first for me - I've never tried a Nepal tea before, let along an oolong. I am hooked. This has a wonderful nose and a really delicious honey aftertaste. A great buy and highly recommended.

lovely

Nov 20, 2006 by: Karen 5

brilliant flavour

a decent cup

Nov 2, 2006 by: Brett 3

this was good, but not as good as american breakfast. i guess i dotn like oolongs as much as black tea

Wonderful tea

Oct 28, 2006 by: Lisa 5

This reminds me of honey.

nice flavor

Oct 16, 2006 by: Ben 5

Lovely honey taste

Oct 8, 2006 by: Alison Dye 5

I just got this as a gift, and I have to say, you've got me hooked. I shall certainly be buying more of this.

A great buy

Oct 3, 2006 by: Adam 5

I bought this oolong not knowing what to expect and was very surprised when I tasted it. Other reviewers are correct in that it is a bit like a Darjeeling because of its muscatel aroma. However, the similarities stop there. It's got this wonderful honey flavor that really stands out. I could smell it as I opened the package, so it seems very fresh. I drink this every day. Haven't tried it iced yet, but I'm sure it would be delightful.

darjeeling-ish

Sep 27, 2006 by: Zak 5

This tastes a lot like a great darjeeling. very very good tea.

Beautiful tea

Sep 21, 2006 by: tealover 5

The perfect afternoon tea

Sep 1, 2006 by: A Fan 5

I can't imagine afternoons without this. I'll be a regular customer for sure.

Delicate flavor

Aug 31, 2006 by: Amar 5

A rare treat indeed. Didn't even know Nepal produced tea, let alone of such high quality.

Sensational Teas

Aug 30, 2006 by: tealover 5

My wife loved this tea and we will definitely be repeat customers. The tea arrived fast and was nicely wrapped in green tissue paper. Very cute!

very mild, very flavorful

Aug 28, 2006 by: beanie 5

i strongly recommend this tea to anyone wishing to try an Oolong tea.

Good for the Oolong Newbie

Aug 27, 2006 by: Michael 5

My experience with oolongs is pretty limited. This was a great tea for someone like me. I really enjoyed the honey flavor and learned the cold-infused method from the blog. I encourage everyone to learn about Oolongs and try this tea. A great adventure!

great oolong for the money

Aug 27, 2006 by: teaguy 5

Excellent Oolong.

coffee

Aug 25, 2006 by: yordano 5

i like it

yordano

Aug 25, 2006 by: alejandro 5

yes

A fine oolong

Aug 25, 2006 by: Cathy 4

A nice oolong

Aug 24, 2006 by: GT 4

Great tea!

Aug 23, 2006 by: JT 5

Truly wonderful

Aug 16, 2006 by: Tea taster 5

Congratulations on procuring this exquisite tea - the honeysuckle flavour comes through so smoothly. A sheer delight to look at the infused leaves opening up in the pot.

Excellent iced

Aug 16, 2006 by: Daniel 5

I tried the iced tea recipe from the blog, and what can I say? Simply amazing.

Very flavorful

Aug 15, 2006 by: KG 5

Unique flavor. Honey, and something else, cant put my finger on it. I love it.

Afternoon Delight!!

Aug 13, 2006 by: Sharon 5

This is the best cold brew I have ever had. I look forward to to my afternoon break with Honeybee and so do many of my co-workers.

Nice honey flavor

Aug 11, 2006 by: Meredith 5

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