If Taiwan had a flavor, it would be oolong tea. Grown in the misty mountains of Formosa, from Alishan to Lishan, Taiwanese oolong is a drink that tells a story—one of patience, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for nature. If you’re like me, your most heartwarming activity is going back to your family’s ancestral home, sitting on the patio under the shade of a banyan tree with your parents, and sipping on a cup of freshly steeped tea still burning to the touch, while the wind is blowing on your face. Oolong tea sits perfectly between green and black tea, offering a rich spectrum of flavors, from floral and creamy to toasty and caramel-like. Whether you’re sipping a lightly oxidized high-mountain oolong that tastes like a fresh orchid breeze or a roasted Tieguanyin with deep, nutty warmth, one thing’s for sure: you haven’t truly lived until you’ve enjoyed a slow, intentional brew of oolong on a quiet afternoon.
Brew Time : 10 seconds to 3 minutes (depending on method)