About Ali Shan Oolong:
Ali Shan is a range of 18 mountains located in central Taiwan. The region is famous for its dense cloud cover and beautiful peaks. Ancient stands of cypress and brilliant cherry trees are inhabited by a plethora of birds and wildlife. Ali Shan is one of Taiwan’s best known tea growing regions, famous for its Gao Shan Cha (high mountain tea). Due to its elevation and cooler climate, the leaf grows more slowly than tea grown in other places, and therefore develops a higher concentration of sap and essential oils, which contribute to the tea’s flavor and aroma. This is a roasted Ali Shan oolong, adding a warm, toasty depth to its floral, honey-like flavor.
In making Ali Shan oolong, only the newly sprouted leaves are plucked. They are then withered in the sun – weather permitting – or indoors on special bamboo trays for a few hours to reduce moisture.
Once a suitable suppleness is achieved in the leaves, traditional rolling techniques (which include wrapping the leaves in cloth and binding it tightly into ball shape) are applied in conjunction with light roasting in a rotating tunnel roaster. Successive re-rolling and re-roastings are done to achieve the optimum shape and flavor. One final roast is done at the end of this process.
Apart from elevation, season, and age of the plants, oolongs can be evaluated by the quality of leaf and the processing art. The leaves should be tightly rolled and should not crumble with gentle pressure (crumbled leaf is a sign of over-roasting or stale leaf).
Ingredients: Oolong Tea Leaves.
Flavor Profile:
Complex with a warm and toasty depth, and wild-honey-like aroma and flavor. Enough roasting to give depth without disturbing the more subtle, sweet, floral qualities of the tea.
Brewing Instructions:
Every tea is different and can be brewed in different ways. The chart below is not a hard-and-fast guide for brewing this tea, but rather a place to get started. Steeping time may vary based on your personal taste or on how many infusions have already been done. Experiment with the brewing of your tea to discover its unique character.
| Water Temp °F (°C) | Steep Time (minutes) | Number of Infusions | Quantity of Leaf (tsp / 8oz water) |
| 180-190°F (82-88°C) | 3-4 | 3-4 | 1 |
