This is a beautiful Taiwanese High Altitude Red tea from our friends farm in the Alishan mountain range over 1200 meters above sea level. This high mountain red tea has the unique crisp mountain air freshness of Alishan tea, and also has the mellow and honey sweetness of ripe Taiwanese fruits.
The tea is hand picked at its one bud, two leaf stage, after which the tea leaves are withered, and then directly go through kneading process, followed by a full oxidation and drying.
What makes this tea special is the masterful technique of Mr. Chen, who has been making and teaching tea farming for 40 years. There is no roasting in this tea making process, which differentiates this red tea from the others. This way the very original beauty of Alishan High-mountain Qing Xin oolong is kept. Additionally, this tea has high pectin content, which increase the smoothness, sweetness and aroma of the tea broth.
We love the bright amber orange color of this tea liquor, reminding us of the rich colored sunset from the tea mountains in the late summer time. It has very pleasant “Huigan 回甘” (returning sweetness), where the taste of ripe guava immediately bring us back to summers in Taiwan.
Tea Profile
Cultivar: Qing Xin
Origin: Yang/Cheng Farm, Alishan-Bihu, Taiwan
Picking: 2020, >1250 m altitude
Processing: 100% Oxidation, No Roast
Tasting Notes: fermented orchid, ripe fruits, honey
Brewing Recommendation
Gōng Fū Chá Style
5g tea to 150 ml water
1st steep: 85 ℃, 15 sec
2nd steep: 90 ℃, 20 sec
3rd steep + : 95 ℃, add 10 sec each time
It can be brewed up to 5-7 brews.
To brew Gōng Fū Chá Style with red oolong, preheat the teapot before putting tea leaves, and then start with the first quick brew, around 15-20 seconds.*
For the continuing brews, we recommend to play with the brewing time with the temperature. For your reference, the brewing time can be increased 5-10 seconds on each brew.**
In general, red oolong tastes better when the water temperature is lower, with hot water, the shorter brew the sweeter. Cold brew brings out its excellence.
* We don’t like to throw away the first brew (often called “first wash”) because all our oolong tea are high quality and clean, we feel like a waste to throw them away.
** Each tea is alive in this own way, this is just a recommended brewing method. We encourage you to listen to the tea, listen to yourself, feel the tea and experiment with the tea.
(If you discover an exciting method, please let us know, we are always happy to hear and learn from each other! 😊)
Mélina Guillon –
Pricy tea from Nari but it is the best red tea you will taste. So sweet it makes you feel cosy instantly. Red fruits in your mouth, natural sweetness. I recommend for special moments ❤