Alishan Oolong Tea – Taiwan’s Iconic High Mountain Tea
Mount Ali, or Alishan, is Taiwan's most famous tea destination, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and exceptional high mountain teas. Its light oolong has become a standard for Taiwanese tea, often referred to as "Taiwan gaoshan cha"—"Taiwanese high mountain tea." Despite its fame, finding truly high-quality Alishan tea can be challenging due to the region's high production volume and popularity among tourists. This makes our selection of Alishan oolong all the more special.
Characteristics of Alishan Oolong
-
Leaf Appearance and Aroma:
The tea features large chunks of rolled leaves, with up to four leaves in each roll. The dry leaves exude a sweet, creamy aroma, accented by a subtle toffee note.
-
Aroma During Infusion:
As the leaves unfurl, the tea releases additional floral notes, filling the air with delightful aromas of lilies of the valley and daffodils. The leaves themselves smell exquisite, enhancing the overall brewing experience.
-
Flavor Profile:
The tea’s infusion is just as sweet and floral as its aroma, with the delicate flavors of lilies of the valley and daffodils lingering on the palate. It is light, aromatic, and pleasantly soft, with a smooth and mellow consistency.
Subtle hints of creaminess and toffee can be detected in the background, especially towards the end of each sip. The tea also has a mild umami component that harmonizes and enhances its complex flavors.
-
Transformation in Later Infusions
One of the most fascinating aspects of Alishan oolong is how its flavor evolves with successive infusions:
-
Thicker Liquor: The tea’s consistency becomes richer and more velvety.
-
Fruity Notes: The floral aromas give way to fruity nuances, with baked banana flavors becoming more pronounced.
-
Enhanced Toffee Aroma: The toffee-like notes intensify, adding a luxurious sweetness to the later cups.
Tea Details
-
Origin: Taiwan, Jiayi Township, Alishan Mountain
-
Year: Autumn, November 2024
Brewing Instructions
Western Brewing:
-
Temperature: 96°C
-
Tea: 5–6g
-
Water: 200ml
-
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Gongfu Brewing:
-
Temperature: 90–96°C
-
Tea: 5–6g
-
Water: 100ml
-
First Infusion: Steep until the leaves fully unfold.
-
Subsequent Infusions: Start with 30–40 seconds for the second infusion, increasing each by 10 seconds.
Brewing Notes
-
Alishan oolong requires slightly longer brewing times to fully develop its flavors.
-
When brewing Gongfu style, brew each infusion immediately after the previous one to maintain the high temperature of the gaiwan.
-
For later infusions, using hotter water (96°C) enhances the tea’s rich flavors and thick texture
