Alishan Cing Xin High Mountain Winter Oolong Tea, Lot 258

This beautiful scenic area of central Taiwan, which is also classified as a Natural Reserve, produces one of the most well known and referenced teas to define the Gao Shan (high mountain) taste of Taiwanese oolongs. Our Alishan Oolong is from Shi Zhou area in Chiayi County. The gardens are situated at a slightly lower elevation than the highly rated Lishan, Dayuling and Shanlinxi areas. This allows growers to use a variety of tea plants successfully. Cing Xin varietals dominate, like in the case of this tea, but Jin Xuan strives as well (see our Alishan Jin Xuan) and give magnificent teas. This township has a soil structure that is more gravelly and layered in shale and has numerous gardens that produce fragrant, well balanced teas that are pleasant and mellow with a well defined sweetness. This 2013 winter offering is one of our highlights of the season. Now we know why Mr. Gao had a smile on his face when he greeted us to sample his teas. We can attest that the splendor of Mr. Gao’s winter oolongs is back! This season, we’ve selected a tea that has undergone a slightly more accentuated oxidation which bring out the mellow fruity sweetness of the tea while still retaining its heady floral notes. We simply can’t stop drinking it… It’s quite addictive.