Ali Shan High Mountain Oolong - 2011 Spring Ali Shan Oolong Tea

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Spring Harvest 2010
Growing Area: Alishan Scenic Area, Chiayi County, Taiwan
Varietal: Qing Xin (Green Heart) Oolong
Altitude: 5,000 ft (1,500 m)
Oxidation: 20%
Roasting: Very Light

Our Spring Harvest High Mountain Oolong Tea comes from the Alishan Scenic Area in Southwest Taiwan’s Chiayi County. This particular tea was grown at an altitude of 1,500+/- Meters (5,000+/- feet) above sea level, and it was harvested in early May during the Spring harvest season of 2011.

Tea grown at this altitude is not roasted more than a very short time just to emphasize the amazing aroma in the leaves. Roasting it more than just a little bit could diminish the highly sought after aroma that is so unique to tea grown at this high altitude.

This batch of tea has a pronounced “High Mountain Aroma” that can best be described as “orchidy” or floral. The flavor is crisp and bittersweet, and the “hui gan,” or sweet aftertaste that comes after the initial bittersweet flavor fades, is very floral, bittersweet, and long lasting.

I recommend steeping this tea gongfu style to truly enjoy the layers of flavor that reveal themselves as the leaves unfurl over a series short steepings. I would start with about 6-7 grams of tea in a 100 ml Gaiwan, and begin your steeping process with a 20-30 second steep using 175-180°F water. Gradually increase the steeping time and temp with each subsequent infusion. This tea can also steeped in the Western manner with good results. See our Chinese Tea Steeping Guide for additional steeping information.