OOLONG TEAS
As tea crafters themselves are wont to say, Oolong is a “fussy” tea to make. Withered leaves are tossed and shaken to bruise the edges of the leaves and to begin oxidation. The extent of the shaking, of oxidation and drying is variable, making this a complex tea in the best sense. From the Light/Fragrant style that shows green-tinged rolled leaves to the more robust style that shows dark, thick leaves, Oolongs provide something for everyone. Pale golden cups offer floral notes; medium oxidized teas brew up an apricot-colored cup with layers of flavor; deep amber brews yield smooth, deeply aromatic cups.
China
Nepal
Tie Guan Yin
Organic
Taiwan
Flavored
CHINA
Wuyi Rou Gui Rock Oolong
#4361
Wuyi Rou Gui Rock Oolong
#4362
The term "rou" means "meat," and for a peasant society where meat was an extravagance, this word signifies a lavish tea. "Gui" refers to cinnamon or bark, hinting at this tea's distinctive aroma (though not one of cinnamon). The fragrance eludes easy description; white peach comes to mind, as well as "fruity but not floral."
Dan Gui Rock Oolong
#4366
The name may be unfamiliar, but this is the "dan" as in Mudan (White) and "gui" as in Rou Gui. This Wuyi Rock Oolong offers high aroma that fills the room, with the complexity in flavor for which Oolongs are known.
Da Hong Pao Rock Oolong
#4370
#4371
#4372
#4373
One of the best known Oolongs from the Wuyi mountains in Fujian. This rock tea is distinguished by its fine, high aroma; one of the few teas that exhibit an umami note. Brews a deep gold, light amber cup. Wet leaves give a dramatic, high mountain aroma. Mild, smooth taste with an elegant, almost austere, fragrant finish.
Fruity Da Hong Pao Wuyi Rock Oolong
#4375
A more rounded version of this big-name Wuyi tea, yet still offers the classic aroma.
Shui Hsien
#4390A Special, Organic
#4392
#4394
#4396 chest only
Described as having a natural orchid-like flavor; good for many infusions with a lingering fragrance; clear, bright, amber color. Friendly finish without fire.
Organic Medium Roast,
semi balled
#4408A
Light amber in the cup; high aroma and enough flavor make this a good cold beverage too.
Ben Shan
#4463
This varietal offers a more focused Oolong flavor than Sechung. The balled leaves brew an apricot colored cup and make a good iced Oolong. The "Classic" version is made in the traditional style, with longish, dark leaves instead of the balled leaves. The cup is an amber colored brew with a long finish.
Mountain Orchid Oolong, Medium Roast, Special Grade
#4470
From the Qi Lan varietal in Fujian, this was processed as a medium roast tea to bring out its fruity notes. Qi Lan oolong comes from an area near Zhangzhou (city), which is near Anxi.
Hairy Crab
#4482 Floral Style, Light Oxidation
#4483 Medium Roast
The tea leaves are covered with a fine white down, hence the name "Hairy Crab". The fragrance of this tea has been compared with that of jasmine. The leaves are robust and show some green. Golden yellow brew. Sweet, smooth-tasting Oolong. Mild and soothing.
Imperial Gold
#4531 Premium
#4533 Standard
This very popular favorite has a bright bouquet, full of floral notes.
Orchid Oolong
#4553 Floral Style
#4554 Medium Roast
Very good fragrance that follows through to the flavor. Golden colored brew, medium body.
Scholar Mountain
#4557
A great find and good value for a fruity, aromatic oolong. Garden elevation: 1000 meters
Osmanthus Oolong
#4561
Osmanthus flowers (in simple syrup) are used as a garnish in Chinese desserts. The same gentle fragrance enhances oolong tea; no flavoring is used.
Magnolia Oolong
#4562
Naturally scented.
Sechung Oolong
#4581 Special
#4583 Standard
The dark leaves lead one to expect some fire, but the brew proves otherwise. The cup is a light golden amber and gives a long lovely fragrance. Full of flavor in the mouth, this is a tea with some finesse and without a strongly fired taste.
"Persimmon Blossom"
Single Trunk
#4606
"White Peach" Single Trunk
#4608
Superb peach notes from this tea from a tree (no flavoring). Full flavored even when cooled.
Honey Orchid Single Trunk
#4610
Phoenix Single Trunk
#4611
Dan Cong Oolongs have become better known recently, and rightly so. These largish leaves plucked from tall trees yield an unsurpassed fragrance that mingles flowers and dried fruit (especially longan). The finish is long, and the tea yields several infusions with concentrated nectar notes. This is well priced for such a distinctive tea; a real winner. Its very long finish makes it ideal for those who enjoy brewing their tea with gaiwan or gongfu pots. Use less tea and you’ll have an aromatic, lighter cup; use a bit more tea and its powerful, concentrated flavor comes to the fore. Also good when cooled.
Fragrant Yellow Sprig
#4620 Floral Style, Light Roast
#4622 Fruity Style, Medium Roast
The word fragrant in the tea name (Xiang in Huang Zhi Xiang) highlights the prominent and distinctive feature of this tea from a tree. Both styles exhibit sweet fruity notes; the lightly oxidized tea is more floral while the slightly more roasted tea offers more depth.
Milk Oolong
#4862
Inspired by the Jin Xuan tea that yields the aroma of cream, this flavored Oolong offers the surprising but satisfying pairing of lightly oxidized tea with milky notes, an addition that rounds out the flavor.
Ginseng Oolong
#4866
Ginseng powder and licorice coat oolong leaves; the licorice imparts a slightly sweet note to the tea.
Ginseng Oolong
#4866
Ginseng powder and licorice coat oolong leaves; the licorice imparts a slightly sweet note to the tea.
TIE GUAN YIN
Produced in the only authentic Tie Guan Yin region, Anxi (Fujian), Tie Guan Yin teas undergo a labor-intensive series of steps, primarily rolling and separating the leaves after carefully monitored oxidation. Two major styles: the Light/Floral types that evoke plumeria, and the traditional, medium roast teas that have toasty grain in the aroma with a long finish.
Gold Guan Yin
#4402
From a hybrid; exquisite floral notes in a golden cup.
Jade Guan Yin, Special Grade
#4413
A lighter hand during the oxidation process produces a "greener" Oolong with less fire that yields floral notes inherent in the leaves. Recommend you try it cold: I get notes of peaches, slightly grilled. Two really good drinking teas.
Tie Guan Yin, First Grade
#4415
Offers a good balance of roasting and delicate flavor.
Tie Guan Yin, Medium Roast, Special Grade
#4423
Yields a fruity cup; round, soft, and mellow with hints of the distinctive Tie Guan Yin strength. Often served in gong-fu tea sets, and it is said that repeated cups can be intoxicating, as the fragrance and flavor do invite sip after sip.
Tie Guan Yin
#4427 Medium Roast
#4428 High Roast
#4430
Traditional teahouse standard; good for multiple infusions.
TAIWAN
Fushoushan (Longevity Mountain) Oolong
#4020
Still hand made, from gardens found at the island's highest elevations.
Li Shan (Pear Mountain) Oolong
#4021
Da Yu Ling
#4022
Deeper flavor than other high mountain teas; layers evident after repeated sips.
High Mountain Oolong
#4023
The quintessential Taiwan classic; hand-made, golden cup.
Shanlinxi Oolong
#4024
Alishan Oolong
#4025
Perhaps the most famous of Taiwan's high mountain teas; Alishan is a mountain preserve in Chiayi County.
Honey Oolong
#4026
Many high mountain teas grow at high altitudes and come with matching prices; yet many are light in flavor. The fragrance from this tea is immediate and stellar, with a sweet honey finish that justifies the splurge, especially if one remembers that nothing was added to enhance the tea.
Hong Shui (Red Water) Oolong
#4027
Emperor's Choice
#4028
Very difficult to choose between this and the Honey Oolong, and so both are on offer. The concentration and tightly focused aroma and taste are exceptional and beguiling, inviting sip after sip. For those who wish to venture beyond TiKuanYin, this is a worthy option that will prove captivating.
Jade Oolong
#4030
Robust floral notes and some heft in the body; a fresh and friendly sweetness.
Tung Ting
#4032 Fancy, Medium Roast
#4034 Light Oxidation, Floral Style
#4036 Standard, Medium Roast
Tightly rolled green leaves, flecked with gold. Available for a brief time only each season. Concentrated notes of dried fruit and aromatic toasted grains; round and layered. Sweet, floral - very accessible Oolong.
True Cream Golden Buds
#4121
No flavoring added; when all growing conditions come together properly, this Jin Xuan (golden buds) cultivar exhibits inherent properties in the leaf that yield the surprising and remarkable aroma of cream.
Baozhong
#4135
The most lightly oxidized of Oolongs, this tea drinks like a very aromatic Green. The feature to look for in this group is delicate, yet readily identifiable, floral notes.
Silver Tip
#4232
Aromatic with peachy notes.
Fern Stream Oolong
#4236
Remarkable aroma, deeply complex and satisfying.
Formosa Oolong, High Roast
#4255
Robust, hearty style.
NEPAL
Organic Floral Oolong
#4016A
Good value for this hand-rolled, semi-oxidized tea; closest comparison would be a Taiwan Silver Tip.
ORGANIC
Organic Floral Oolong (Nepal)
#4016A
Good value for this hand-rolled, semi-oxidized tea; closest comparison would be a Taiwan Silver Tip.
Organic Shui Hsien Oolong
#4390A
Described as having a natural orchid-like flavor; good for many infusions with a lingering fragrance; clear, bright, amber color. Friendly finish without fire.
Organic Oolong, Medium Roast (semi balled)
#4408A
Light amber in the cup; high aroma and enough flavor make this a good cold beverage too.
FLAVORED
Milk Oolong
#4862
Inspired by the Jin Xuan tea that yields the aroma of cream, this flavored Oolong offers the surprising but satisfying pairing of lightly oxidized tea with milky notes, an addition that rounds out the flavor.
Ginseng Oolong
#4866
Ginseng powder and licorice coat oolong leaves; the licorice imparts a slightly sweet note to the tea.
Orange Blossom Oolong
#4882
A winning combination of orange blossoms with a lightly oxidized oolong.
Peach Oolong
#4883