| |
Alishan Oolong Tea
Alishan High Mountain Oolong is one of the best High Mountain Oolongs in the world. It is famous for its incredible sweet aroma and smooth flavor. It is grown on Ahli (Ali) Mountain in Taiwan’s Jiayi (Chiayi) County. The tea is grown between 1,000 and 2,300 meters above sea level. This part of the mountain is humid with low temperatures and plenty of fog. These conditions are perfect for creating Alishan High Mountain Oolong’s outstanding flavors and aromas. The brewed tea has a pale yellow color with a light orchid aroma with a slightly sweet, yet complex flavor which is said to resemble fruits and flowers. The tea can be brewed multiple times.
Processing :
Compared to Green Tea, which is picked in the early spring, Oolong Tea is picked rather late in the season. It is picked in April and May. This is done so that the leaves have a chance to grow larger and stronger so they will survive the complex processing. Another side effect of this late picking is that the leaves have more oils in them which give the tea its wonderful flavor and aroma. After being picked, the leaves are left in the sun to wither, which softens the leaves for processing. If the weather is not cooperative, the leaves are brought indoors in large ventilated rooms with lamps to wither the leaves. The leaves are then laid out in bamboo trays to oxidize. While oxidizing, the leaves continue to wither. When the tea master has decided that the leaves have withered enough, they are then dried before being shaped and roasted to finish the tea. The processing techniques are very complex and labor intensive and any misstep will ruin an entire harvest of tea.
Fake Teas:
Like any high quality and popular Chinese Tea, there is a lot of fake Alishan High Mountain Oolong on the market. The fake teas do not have the wonderful aroma and flavor of the authentic teas. When brewed, they are weak and flat. Once you have tried authentic tea, it is quite easy to tell a fake one. When purchasing Alishan Oolong Tea in a shop, ask to try the tea. Most shop owners are happy to let you sample their teas. If they will not, there is probably something fishy and it would be safer to pass on it. If you purchase your tea online, make sure you buy it from a reputable dealer who appears to have a large knowledge of Chinese Teas and has a strong guarantee.
Visit our other Oolong Tea Varieties pages
Da Hong Pao Tea
,
Anxi Oolong Tea
,
Tieguanyin Tea
,
Lishan Oolong Tea
Click here to go back to our Oolong Tea page
Click here to go to our Home Page
Click here for the finest Alishan Oolong Tea
|
