Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong Tea
Where to Buy: Eco-Cha
Tea Description:
Flavor – Fruity, fragrant herbal tones. Full, balanced, fresh floral/green/fruity flavor. Lingering, aromatic finish. This Da Yu Ling Oolong ranks definitively within the category of Taiwan’s finest High Mountain Oolong.
Garden: This farm is in Taiwan’s prime tea growing region. In this region, the location of the farm is indicated by the kilometer marking on the cross-central highway. This farm is around the 100k marker, which indicates some of the most pristine tea real estate on the island.
The highest elevation tea growing regions are where the epitome of this type of tea is produced.The ideal climate conditions offered by this elevation range combined with the methods of tea cultivation that have been developed are considered to be the main factors that have gained this category of tea its fame.
The place names of Li Shan and Da Yu Ling are unsurpassed for prime Taiwan High Mountain Oolong, and we feel privileged to be able to share this tea, which has become recognised as some of the best in the world.
This most exclusive High Mountain Oolong produced in Taiwan is renowned for its fragrant aroma and lingering aftertaste. Its unique character is comprised of a freshness and complexity of fragrance and a substantial flavor have captivated tea lovers around the globe.
The subtleties of aroma are derived from newly grown leaves of the Green Heart Oolong (清心烏龍) cultivar grown at an elevation that provides optimal climate conditions for this plant. The slower growth at high elevation provides substance to the tender new growth which in turn gives premium Taiwan High Mountain tea its claim to fame. It is in a class of its own due its smooth, clean – yet complex flavor followed by a heady lingering aftertaste.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m not surprised that Eco-Cha’s Da Ya Ling High Mountain Oolong is currently sold out – but that doesn’t mean that I’m NOT going to blog about it!
The aroma is wonderfully refreshing. The color is a pale yellow-brown once infused. Everything about this tea screams “hydration”. It’s juicy but NOT in a fruity way – in a hydrating way – as if you were in a desert and craving pure liquid in its true form. This tea seems to fit that bill. It’s smooth, clean, pure. It has a subtle lingering aftertaste that makes you want more! Evenotho it’s not really juicy in a fruity way – that doesn’t mean that this doesn’t have it’s fruitier notes and hints – it does! I can’t quite put my finger on WHAT TYPE of fruit tho. Maybe it’s something citrus – but not overly-so. It’s also a ‘greener’ oolong, too, which I am really enjoying! This is great for multiple infusions, as well. This tea is completely delicious – and – not to rub it in…it’s SOLD OUT…but perhaps Eco-Cha will be getting a similar crop and do one for the next season. Us tea lovers can only pray!
Gui Fei Oolong Tea from Zi Chun
Tea Type:
Oolong Tea
Where To Buy:
Zi Chun
Product Description:
Gui Fei oolong made in similar fashion to Oriental Beauty in that the tea leaves are bitten by small green insects. It is the insects biting the leaves that gives these teas their unique honey characteristic aroma and taste, and also initiates the oxidization process. The main difference with Gui Fei is that 1.) it is grown in the central regions of Taiwan (Oriental beauty is grown primarily in the North) and 2.) Gui Fei is processed using traditional Dong Ding oolong processing techniques.
Tasters Review:
I’m not sure why – perhaps it’s just a personal preference – but I tend to drink Oolong Teas in the afternoon. While I’m working and writing and writing and working I tend to drink teas that I can infuse over and over again. The other day this tea accomplished both. This tea is from Zi Chun and is their Gui Fei Oolong Tea.
It’s not overly colorful once infused – more of a tint or a hue than a color – but that doesn’t mean it lacks for aroma. It’s gently roasted yet slightly sweet. It’s not lacking flavor but the flavor is not intense either. Eventho I was sipping on this while frantically writing and typing in the afternoon I could totally picture myself unwinding with this tea in the evening, too. It’s incredibly smooth and comforting.
A few things I found out about this tea is that it was harvested in the summer of 2013 in Lugu township, Nantou County, Central Taiwan at the elevation of 1,200 – 1,500 feet. Another thing that I enjoyed learning about this tea is that it’s also known as King’s Concubine tea.
Just when I think I might stray away from Oolongs – a really fabulous one enters my life – that I must listen to and try – and try over and over again. THIS is one of those Oolongs!
Happy Valley Darjilong Organic Tea from Grey’s Teas
Tea Type:
Oolong Tea
Where To Buy:
Grey’s Teas
Production Description:
Darjeeling tea lends itself well to the oolong process of semi-oxidation. It creates a character beautifully complementary to the muscatel taste of Darjeeling. It is a fragrant tea that has a little more complexity than you would expect with black Darjeeling. Infuse for five minutes with fresh water just off the boil. We also offer .
Tasters Review:
Happy Valley Darjilong Organic Tea from Grey’s Teas…well, well, well! I have a bit to say about this tea! First…the name! Anything that says Happy Valley just has to put a smile on your face! I wanted to start the day off positive and this tea certainly helped! Organic teas always make me happy, too! The name Darjilong is just fun to say! But when you put a Darjeeling Oolong in front of me I tend to pick it a part a bit. Maybe that goes back to ‘word dissection’ in my college days – not sure – but that’s sort of what I did here.
I took the “Darjeeling” to heart. I always associate Darjeelings with a specific taste profile, I guess…mostly via Black Darjeeling Teas eventho I have had Oolongs, Whites, and other Darjeeling Teas but I guess I will always have a place in my heart for Darjeeling Black. Don’t get me wrong – I’m LOVING this tea! I LOVE that it’s a Darjeeling Tea and that it’s a Darjeeling Oolong Tea. It’s not quite as muscatel as some of the Darjeelings I have tried but I’m totally ok with that. Sometimes I actually prefer it. It’s slightly juicy. In the 2nd infusion It’s more juicy as well as more muscatel and even a bit more sweet-woodsy tasting – which is very much welcomed. I do enjoy the 2nd infusion a bit more than the 1st but BOTH infusions are VERY satisfying. I appreciate the complexity of this tea. From start to finish it’s fairly fragrant, too! It’s also a winner HOT or COLD. A terrific tea for Spring, Summer, or Fall! Excellent!
Superfine Taiwan Qing Xiang Dong Ding Oolong Tea from Teavivre
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Teavivre
Tea Description:
In Taiwan Oolong Tea, Dong Ding Oolong Tea is an excellent kind highly praised by the world. Dong Ding is originally planted on Dongding Mountain, which is a branch of Phoenix Mountain, in Lugu Village, Nantou County, Taiwan. The tea is planted in the area at the altitude of 1000 meters. So this is also a High Mountain tea, which is known as its obvious floral fragrance. This Dong Ding Qing Xiang Oolong Tea is made of the tea leaves from Qing Xin Oolong tea tree. This tea has thick and soft leaf, refreshing tea liquid, with strong osmanthus scent. Meanwhile it has strong sweet aftertaste, which makes High Mountain tea more excellent than low altitude tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This Superfine Taiwan Qing Xiang Dong Ding Oolong Tea from Teavivre is absolutely lovely! It’s so sweet and lush, with a creamy mouthfeel and an intriguing flavor that has exotic floral notes as well as hints of fruit. I’m enjoying the complexity and the soft texture.
I brewed this Oolong in my gaiwan. First I did a quick “rinse” or awakening of the tea leaves, by steeping them in hot water for 15 seconds and then straining off and discarding the liquid. Then I steeped the first infusion for 1 minute (I meant to infuse it for 45 seconds, but I got distracted and missed the 45 second mark, so it steeped for a full 60 seconds), and the second infusion for 1 minute 15 seconds. I poured both of these infusions into the same cup. Subsequent infusions were prepared the same way.
The first cup was lighter in texture than those that followed, but, it still possessed a pleasantly creamy mouthfeel. It is so silky and smooth. I taste notes of peach, hints of vegetation (just a slight “grassiness” in the background), and a overtone of floral notes. There is a faint astringency that is most noticeable at the very end of the sip. I start to notice a slightly dry sensation.
The second cup was my favorite, and this seems to be typical of my Oolong experiences. It seems that I always love the second cup best. It felt soft and smooth to the palate, and it had a flavor that was both floral and fruity. The vegetative notes have emerged slightly and they added an interesting contrast to the sweet fruit and floral tones.
In subsequent infusions, the flavors became more of a harmonious taste. The flavor remained sweet, and I started to notice an almost “honey-esque” note in the third and forth cups.
I enjoyed my afternoon spent with this Dong Ding from Teavivre. An excellent choice for the Oolong enthusiast!
Iron Goddess Medium Grade Oolong Tea from Tea Setter
Tea Type:
Oolong Tea
Where To Buy:
Tea Setter
Product Description:
This is a classic Oolong tea from China with a beautiful, relaxing flavor. The medium grade does not mean lesser, just different tasting. The tea has a fantastic buttery smooth flavor with soft floral hints that many say remind them of lilac. Drinking Iron Goddess is the ultimate “Take a Moment for yourself tea.” It truly takes you somewhere else. This tea is grown in Anxi County of Fuijan Province, China. Harvested Spring 2013.
Tasters Review:
Iron Goddess Medium Grade Oolong Tea from Tea Setter is a pure delight! I’ll get right to it, folks! It’s been a while since I have enjoyed a Medium Grade Iron Goddess this much! It’s Semi-Floral and Semi-Juicy with a touch of juiciness and a hint of sweet. It has a fair amount of thickness to it for an Iron Goddess, too!
It stands up to multiple infusions. It’s amazing as-is and straight-up but very nice both hot and cold as well as with additions such as agave nectar. Delightful!