North Peak, deep baked Taiwan oolong
$ 25.10
天然培育 深焙北山武夷烏龍
A Wuyi reborn in Taiwan
In Taiwan, besides the famous tea mountain of Dong Ding (Cold Peak), there are actually many other areas where the horticultural conditions are good for finer tea production. Such as the Bei Shan (i.e. North Peak) area that is has an 1,100m altitude and near the centre of the whole Taiwan Island, in Nantou County. The Tsai family does not have the resources to get an international organic certification, but they run the farm according to organic practices with the help of the local university, much like Master Yu who makes our GABA teas.
Tea Hong’s North Peak is an oolong optimally deep baked for aroma and caramelisation. It is produced by the Tsai family using a Wuyi Shuixian cultivar that is localised and quite different from any Wuyi oolongs from Wuyi. You will find it softer and slightly sweeter. Interestingly, that is very much a Taiwan style, gentler in every way.
Net weight: 70 g (2.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow pack
In stock
Taste profile
Nose: Deep, yet soft aroma of baked oolong, with a caramel overtone accented with herbs, butter and citrus peel on and undertone of dates and dried fruits.
Palate: Soft and round liquor with tones of baked wheat, popped rice, coconut and slight accents of herbs and marmalade.
Finish: Smooth and quenching.
The Tsai’s North Peak tea farm overlooking a sea of clouds underneath (right) Young girls learning the foundamentals in oolong process: putting the sun-withered fresh leaves through shade withering before going through the oxidation process. (left)
Infusion tips
This milder oolong is a great choice for making strong small shots for before and after meals without the usual strong astringency or bitterness. Because of its deep baked nature, it is also a great choice for making a strong enough tasteful cold infusion without overtly chilly in TCM nature.
If you prefer to keep a short infusion time, use a higher temperature and larger leaf to water ratio, say 6g to each 100ml at 95°C+ for 30 sec. A better profile is easier when using 2g to each 100ml at 95°C for 5min+. To make a strong cold infusion, we recommend 5g to each 100ml but start off at 95°C+ let the pot cool down before putting it into the fridge overnight.
Additional information
| Weight | 120 g |
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| Dimensions | 18 × 9 × 5 cm |
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Reviews(1)
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Orchid Literati, Phoenix dancong oolong
Tea, Oolongs, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Cool Energy鳳凰春茶、鴨屎香單欉
the genuine Duck Poo Tea
As a person continues to discover tea, sometimes finding one with subtle and yet complex fineness seems a lot more exciting than one with strong impressions. That is how we feel when we got hold of this. The locals aptly name it “Cao-lan” (Cymbidium goeringii), the rare orchid which ancient Chinese literati had revered for millenniums for its understated beauty and fragrance*. The long, sweet yet subtle taste and aftertaste of this tea echos the sentiments for the civilized persistence for humanity virtues of the classic eras. If you enjoy our Eight Immortals, Orchid Literati will take you to another level.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack 
Shiguping Wulong, rare Phoenix oolong
Tea, Oolongs, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Lighter Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral-Cool Energy鳳凰隱世珍品 極限量 石古坪烏龍
Rare Indigenous Cultivar:
To us, offering the extremely rare Shiguping Wulong is not a challenge enough. We think we should give you the best of its kind. Trekking further deep into the mountain above the elusive main village of Shiguping, we found the patch of land which the locals called Liao-xi-ya, where it all began. The tea is softer, yet fuller and even more complex than that in the main village. The very original Shiguping Wulong*, as highly acclaimed by the man who devoted all of his life in advocating oolongs of Phoenix, the 74 years-old tea specialist Huang Bozi.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack 
White Peony Zhenghe, traditional white tea
Tea, White teas, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Neutral-Cool Energy精選、政和白牡丹
Browner Style Zhenghe Dabai:
Those who prefer white tea as their daily drink but want a bit more stimulations in taste, White Peony from Zhenghe is a great choice. It is air withered for a longer duration from one of the two classic cultivars, Zhenghe Dabai. The resultant tea tastes slightly sharper and longer than white teas produced from the other classic, Fuding Dabai. White Peony Zhenghe is a fine tea that is most affordably priced.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in wide Kraft-alu pack 
This and the Alishan Guanyin are the only two roasted Taiwanese oolongs that I need in my life – they’re both similar enough, with all of the correct overlap in the right places, and yet have distinct differences that make them both sit comfortably side-by-side without feeling like I should pick one or the other.
They both capture the essence of what I seek in a roasted oolong: that the roast fully lifts up & elevates the flavors of the tea, without obscuring them or becoming the focal point of the experience.
I’m surprised by how much overlap there is between North Peak and high-end Wuyi oolongs. The most noticeable difference for me is the distinct yun and terroir that high-end Wuyi oolong is so prized for, is not present here. That is to be expected though, as this is grown in a different region altogether…
Everything else about this tea hits the spot though – the roast is vibrant and complex, and helps bring forward so many layers of flavor, from the bright herbal & fruity overtones to the rich and ooey-gooey caramelized undertones, and everything in-between.
The body of the tea is thick and chewy; it’s smooth like freshly churned butter & perfectly round, with a pleasant viscosity. The mouthfeel is smooth, and lacks any sharp edges. There’s nothing harsh about it; and even though it’s roast-forward, it has a smooth wave-like quality that creates a gentle delivery mechanism for the individual flavors.
It takes significant experience and skill to be able to achieve a wholesome experience like this. Flavors alone are one thing, but to have the mouthfeel, the lingering aftertaste, the excellent sensation in the body & mind after drinking this tea… that is what makes this tea special.