Zhao

Tea Information:

Leaf Type: Oolong

Tea Description:

Our Alishan Shi Zhao Oolong tea is handpicked and handcrafted. The tea is produced from Qingxin Oolong varietal (the most-loved Oolong tea varietal) grown in the mountain areas of Ari Mountain, frequently covered with fog or clouds. The brewed Alishan Shi Zhao oolong tea has a floral aroma and taste, a long-lasting flavor and a sweet and pleasant aftertaste. It is very smooth and delectable with almost no bitterness.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

Alishan! Alishan! Alishan!

When I first started drinking Oolong tea, I tried Formosa Oolong, and I loved it. I was very new to tea back then (although I probably didn’t think I was), and I had no idea that there were other Oolong teas. I thought Oolong tea = Formosa Oolong, and that’s it.

A few years later, I experienced my first “green” Oolong, and I was astonished! It was so different from the Oolong I was used to. And I liked what I tasted, but still, my heart remained true to my beloved Formosa Oolong.

Another year or so later, I tried my first Alishan Oolong. It was love at first sip! Since that time, I’ve tried many Alishan Oolong teas, and I am still so amazed at how different two Alishan teas can taste from one another… not to mention how different an Alishan tastes from a Formosa Oolong. This is one reason why I adore Oolong … it’s always an adventure.

And while Formosa Oolong teas still hold a special place in my heart, I must say that my favorite Oolong tea is Alishan. I even have my own Yixing Mug that’s dedicated just to Alishan Oolong.

This Alishan is phenomenal. So smooth, sweet and delicious! Very floral, but also with a fruitier background than I usually associate with Alishan. The floral tones here are not sharp or pungent, they are quite smooth … almost creamy! There is a pleasing honey-like tone to the flavor, and it has a thick, luscious mouthfeel.

This Alishan takes my breath away, it’s so good! I love it!

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Oolong