Taiwan Jin Xuan oolong

Brew & Taste

Jin Xuan oolong is a tea with a soft aroma of fresh milk and spring flowers. The color is light, sparkly gold with a smooth, harmonious, and slightly sweet taste. There are signature milky and buttery notes which slowly develop into hints of nuts and slightly fruity finish. Each subsequent infusion reveals an extra layer to the flavor – some more floral, other sweeter, creamier, and rounded.

Origins

Jin Xuan oolong tea originates from Taiwan, an island that has become synonymous with premium oolong teas thanks to its mountainous landscape and unique climatic conditions. The tea you are looking at comes from the Bei Shan area in Nantou County. It’s the only inland region of the island and people consider it the heart of the local tea industry. The plantations are located at an altitude of around 1,000 meters, where the climate is mild and the landscape is often shrouded in mist and sprinkled with fresh rain. As a result, the tea leaves grow more slowly and contain more aromatic substances, so the resulting infusion is fresh, delicate, and yet complex.

Jin Xuan oolong comes from an interesting cultivar of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). This variety is called Jin Xuan TTES12 and was created by the Taiwan Research and Experiment Station. It took the scientists over 20 years of research and breeding to develop. Dr. Zhen Zhe Wu is considered the father of the cultivar, and is revered by the Taiwanese as the founder of the modern Taiwanese tea industry.

Jin Xuan tea entered the market as commercially cultivated oolong in 1981 and quickly gained popularity among both farmers and consumers. The former swear by it because of its high yields as well as its resistance to cold weather, while the latter love its characteristic milky smoothness and creamy texture.

This tea has been cultivated in Bei Shan, by the family of Mr. Tsai, who combine traditional processing with modern methods. Although local farms often use mechanical harvesting, the final step of production remains in the hands of experienced masters who control oxidation and light roasting of the tea with the utmost care. This stage is crucial – it can emphasize the sweetness and delicacy of the tea without suppressing its floral aroma and mountain air-like freshness. The result is a tea that not only reflects the rich history of Taiwanese plant breeding and cultivation, but also represents a modern approach to tea culture, in which the younger generation of farmers bring new ideas and energy to the family craft."

Tea packaging preview

We pack our teas in a strong, zip-lock aluminum packet which allows you to easily re-seal its contents. This container protects the quality of the tea against humidity, light or foreign odors, all of which could noticeably affect the quality of the brew.