Our Alishan Milk Oolong (阿里山金萱烏龍茶) is a wonderful and different sort of tea produced from the leaves of the Jin Xuan cultivar, developed in Taiwan in the 1980’s. It is similar to our Award Winning Organic Milk Oolong as it is made from the same cultivar. Yet the growing location gives a different sort of character to this Alishan Milk Oolong. While also exhibiting a milky aroma, mouthfeel and taste that Jin Xuan cultivar is famous for, this flavour is also balanced off by stronger floral and vanilla notes that High Mountain Oolongs are renowned for.
Jin Xuan cultivar is also known as the Golden Daylily (Jin Xuan – 金萱) or TRES #12, the number given to it by the Taiwan Research and Extension Station. Jin Xuan cultivar is very popular with farmers since the plants are more hardy and produce a higher yield. From a tea lover’s point of view, Jin Xuan is an attractive aromatic drink with a lovely sweet character. It is particularly popular for the smooth creamy and milky aroma, texture and taste.
As Milk Oolong has become extremely popular, please be aware of imitations. There are plenty of milk oolongs (whether from Jin Xuan cultivar or others) that are flavoured either with milk or vanilla in order to imitate or enhance the natural taste that the leaves of Jin Xuan develop. Any genuine Milk Oolong is always produced from the Jin Xuan cultivar and should not be flavoured or enhanced with additional flavours in any way.
Our Alishan Milk Oolong is sourced with the help of a Taiwanese Tea Master from the Alishan Scenic Area of Taiwan and it is a real and authentic High Mountain Milk Oolong. It solely utilises the Jin Xuan cultivar that is grown at an altitude of 1,200m. The High Mountain nature of this tea is immediately evident – the flavours are just that little bit more cleaner and crisper than the lower altitude counterparts. The liquor that is produced is very light and quite brisk. It has a subtle natural milky aroma, mouthfeel and taste. This High Mountain Oolong is very fresh tasting, with sweet notes of wild flowers and vanilla.
This Taiwanese Alishan Milk Oolong tea is best brewed at 90°C for 3-5 minutes according to your taste and can be brewed multiple times, increasing steeping time with each next brew if desired.