Before people started rolling tea leaves into beads, all oolongs used to be only one form — twiggy curls of dark colour tiny sticks. After the bead rolling method for oolong was introduced at the end of 19th centuries, it has been gradually integrated into the development of a number of varieties. The form styling of the leaves has actually contributed to the formation of the taste profile itself.
Can you tell which tea is which by just looking at the leaves?
Which of these oolongs below are you able to guess the name of? Which is Tieguanyin Traditional, our popular bouquet style Tieguanyin? There are also two classic style Tieguanyin, can you find them? Which is Jinxuan? Which is Eternal Spring? And Shan Lin Xi? Cold Peak? Every time you come back to this page the sequencing will be different. How well are you able to recognise them the second time?
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Winter Alishan Jinxuan, bouquet style Taiwan oolong
Cold Energy, Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 21.10
Winter Alishan Jinxuan, bouquet style Taiwan oolong
Cold Energy, Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 21.10the oolong with an accent of milk
In the early 80’s when the tea was first available to the market, tea tasters described Jinxuan oolong as having an accent of milk. The simple remark has sparked waves of imitation products, all involving adding flavouring. This continues until today. Jinxuan maybe one of the more popular cultivars in Taiwan, but it takes mastery to harvest and process it properly for that natural and slight “milk” accents, and all the other finer tea qualities. Tea Hong’s Alishan Jinxuan is just that. Non-blended first flush superbly produced to the same balance as Prof Wu Zhenduo* had originally intended it to be. As the same cleansing, soft taste profile that made it famous in the beginning. Nothing added, purely as we have always like our tea to be.
Net weight: 50 g (1.8 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow -
Shan Lin Xi, light style Taiwan oolong
Tea, Oolongs, Taiwan, Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Cool Energy$ 21.10
Shan Lin Xi, light style Taiwan oolong
Tea, Oolongs, Taiwan, Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Cool Energy$ 21.10From the Stream of Cypress Woods
To most people, teas from Taiwan are synonymous with high mountain oolongs. Officially, these are the four top subregions for the tea: Alishan, Shan Lin Xi, Li Shan, and Yu Shan. We already carry quite a few Alishan’s, to find one from the others, we have been relentlessly searching. It has to be one comparable to those from Alishan but individualistic enough. Shan Lin Xi — literally Stream of Cypress Woods — is an area deep in a national reserve in the mountainous central area of the island country. Two hour driving from the station in the small city of Chia Yi, you will have climbed 1000m on the curvy roads deep in the sparse village areas with dense tall trees and quite many degrees lower than down there. Tea patches are hidden here and there amongst forests, occasional clusters of bamboos and a great diversity of wild plants. The same Chin Hsin Gan Chi cultivar grown here yields leaves that seem to have acquired a different character, a somehow lighter yet more complex, more stimulating tinkle. Previously when I was still operating a teahouse, some customers came to do Zen with tea as the medium. I guess this Shan Lin Xi Oolong can be one for it too.
Net weight: 70 g (2.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow -
Eternal Spring, floral winter oolong
Cold Energy, Floral Aromas, Milder Tastes, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 22.80
Eternal Spring, floral winter oolong
Cold Energy, Floral Aromas, Milder Tastes, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 22.80Tea Hong's specially made Taiwan oolong
Winter harvest Taiwan oolongs have always been prized for crispier floral fragrance, as in the case of autumn Minnan Tieguanyins, except that Taiwan ones generally have softer bodies and aromas. While maintaining these characters, Tea Hong’s Eternal Spring excels with an exceptionally green freshness and yet a fine oolong sweetness. A taste profile most friendly for oolong rookies and yet with such unique quality that can complement any serious connoisseur’s collection. This tea is also available in a small portion as a part of Tea Taster’s Box: Nine Oolong Samplers.
Net weight: 70 g (2.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow pack -
Cold Dew Alishan, bouquet Taiwan oolong
Fuller Bodies, Lighter Aromas, Neutral-Cool Energy, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 27.00
Cold Dew Alishan, bouquet Taiwan oolong
Fuller Bodies, Lighter Aromas, Neutral-Cool Energy, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 27.00Winter Chin-shin Oolong
In subtropical Taiwan, the intense humidity that creates the misty atmosphere of Alishan — the tallest mountain in the island nation — dissipates partially when the chill of late Autumn sets in. In October, the sky stays clearer for longer. Little leaves that spout during this time have amply stored up for the few drier months ahead. These are great conditions for oolong harvest and processing. Presenting Cold Dew1 Alishan, masterfully rebaked from the premium Autumn harvest of Chin-shin tea trees. Oolongs made from this quintessential Taiwan wulong cultivar have a few times more teaghrelin2 than any others3, though we hope you buy it more for the great taste of this archetypical Taiwan premium oolong.
Net weight: 70 g (2.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow -
Sold out
GABA Orange Extra, de-oxygenised oxidation Taiwan oolong
Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Organic teas, Taiwan, Tea$ 28.80
GABA Orange Extra, de-oxygenised oxidation Taiwan oolong
Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Organic teas, Taiwan, Tea$ 28.80Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Enriched:
There maybe a few other options of GABA tea out there, but to produce one that is fine tasting as well as organic requires real experience, dedication and stringent process management. Presenting GABA Orange from Nantou, Taiwan. Our answer to those of you wanting naturally formed GABA from a nice tasting oolong, with that touch of orange wonderfully developed in the tealeaves themselves. Nature always has surprises for us. We just have to work with it to make it happen. ( What is GABA? )
Net weight: 70 g (2.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow -
Cold Peak, matured Taiwan oolong
Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 28.90
Cold Peak, matured Taiwan oolong
Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 28.90Dong Ding Classic:
The traditional style of baking Taiwan oolong is a vanishing art. That is one reason older connoisseurs are saying tea is not tasting like it used to. Indeed not many tea practitioners are doing it. One of them is Yu Wen, one of our Taiwan farmers. She is dedicated to bringing that heritage back in vogue. Taiwan oolong properly baked is healthier and friendlier to the stomach for everyone after all, and used to be what makes Cold Peak — Dong Ding — the quintessential Taiwan oolong — soft, sweet and with a warm, nectarous aroma. We proudly present to you this Taiwan wonder optimally matured for enjoyment anytime upon delivery. This tea is also available in a small portion as a part of Tea Taster’s Box: Nine Oolong Samplers.
Net weight: 70 g (2.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow -
Alishan Guanyin, deep baked Taiwan oolong
Fuller Bodies, Lighter Aromas, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 28.80
Alishan Guanyin, deep baked Taiwan oolong
Fuller Bodies, Lighter Aromas, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 28.80Slow Baked Tieguanyin:
Over a century of development since transplanting to Taiwan, tieguanyin produced in the emerald island is quite different from its cousin in Mainland China. Not only has the cultivar evolved differently, but also the more authentic technique with which it is produced. Tea Hong’s Alishan Guanyin has a fuller and smoother taste profile. Its distinction is possible through the finesse in its slow baking. Master Chen, who bakes also our Cold Peak, has elevated the processing into an art of leaves and fire.
Net weight: 70 g (2.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow -
Tieguanyin Traditional, bouquet oolong
Cool Energy, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Oolongs, Tea$ 26.90
Tieguanyin Traditional, bouquet oolong
Cool Energy, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Oolongs, Tea$ 26.90Original Tieguanyin Cultivar
To old time aficionados, tieguanyin is not just about floral aroma. They seek yun-wei, which can be roughly translated as “lingering taste of various tones and accents”. For the right yun-wei, we went to the origin of tieguanyin for a fourth generation farm high in altitude. Tea Hong’s Tieguanyin Traditional is produced from a particular patch where only matured shrubs of the thorough-breed cultivar grow and are harvested only once year. This is to ensure maximum amount of taste and salutary substances are stored in the young leaves for subsequent mastery processing for the wonderful lingering taste of various tones and accents. Like a fine old style tieguanyin should be.
Net weight: 100 g (3.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Tieguanyin Classic, deep baked oolong
Denser Aromas, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Neutral-Warm Energy, Oolongs, Stronger Tastes, Tea$ 23.00
Tieguanyin Classic, deep baked oolong
Denser Aromas, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Neutral-Warm Energy, Oolongs, Stronger Tastes, Tea$ 23.00Bamboo basket charcoal rebaked
We have matured this special batch of tieguanyin for long enough before double baking it the traditional way in a bamboo basket with charcoal ash. To attain an ideal result from this traditional practice requires proper conditioning and in-depth know how. Tieguanyin Classic is one of Tea Hong's best value oolongs. Enjoy the warm, soothing aroma as hot water touches the leaves. Then the characteristic tastes of a classic tieguanyin delivered in a round, smooth body with a unique sweetness. This tea is also available in a small portion as a part of Tea Taster’s Box: Nine Oolong Samplers.
Net weight: 120 g (4.2 oz) in Kraft-alu pack
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