This oriental tea beauty is made in the original Dongfang Meiren (Eastern Beauty) Teegärten grown in Hsinchu County in northern Taiwan.

The special taste experience is created by the infestation of the tea bushes by cicadas (Jacobiasca formosana). This is a deliberate process that leads to the leaves beginning to oxidize while still on the tea bush.

For this purpose, the "Qing Xin Da-Pang" tea bushes are grown at an altitude of less than 800 meters. Above that, no more cicada infestation would be possible.

In order to enable the cicada infestation, no pesticides are used in the cultivation of the tea, so this Oriental Beauty tea can also be counted among the organically grown teas.

The tea leaves are picked by hand in early summer. However, only the tea bud and the two tea leaves behind it are harvested. After that, the picking material is heavily fermented at 70% but not roasted.

Taste:

This extraordinary fermentation process creates very interesting flavor nuances and fragrances that are initially reminiscent of honey and then move on to floral notes that taste like lilac and reveal a very delicate hint of cinnamon

Even if you let the tea steep for too long, the aftertaste remains sweet - round.

The Oriental Beauty Oolong Story

The Oriental Beauty Oolong has already been given many names such as Champagne Oolong, Dongfang Meiren or Bai Hau Silver Tip Oolong(白毫)
In the late 19th century, John Dodd, the tea trader Dongfang Meiren exported oolong to England and also supplied the English royal family with it.
Queen Elisabeth II was very taken with this special oolong tea and named it Oriental Beauty.

A few tips for choosing a perfect Dongfang Meiren Oolong:

Don't be fooled by great names like Superior Fancy Oolong Top Grade, Fancy Oolong, China Top Fancy Ooolong. In our experience, in such cases only the description of the tea type is fancy, premium or even superior

• Traditionally, the best quality Oolong teas come from Taiwan (Formosa) and do not require "fancy" naming

• The silver tea leaf tips should be clearly visible, the more the better

• In the teacup, the tea should have a nice, rich amber colour

• As soon as you put this cicand tea in the cup, it immediately exudes a very multi-faceted floral scent

• The taste is first reminiscent of sweet honey and then of lilac aromas. The cinnamon aroma should not penetrate too clearly

Preparation:

We recommend preparing this amazing oolong in either a gaiwan or a small clay teapot. This gives the tea the best conditions to develop its taste experience perfectly.

Packaging:

Since the fragile tea leaves are not rolled but traditionally processed as "twisted curls", this tea is not vacuum packed but welded in an aroma protection bag.

Cultivar

Qing Xin Da-Pang

harvest time

Summer 2021

Origin of the tea type:

Unser Dongfang Meiren (Oriental beauty) is grown in Hsinchu County at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level.