We recently sat down in our home in Bamboo Mountain, Taiwan to compare our 2025 spring and summer batches of Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong Tea. Fans of Taiwan's world renowned High Mountain Oolong Tea can learn a lot from comparing seasonal batches from the same source, such as this one.
A Tale of Two Harvests
Our summer batch, picked on July 1st , comes from a plot on a small ridge about 50 meters above its spring counterpart — harvested on April 26th, 2025, . Both are grown within a stone’s throw of each other on the same side of a mountain in the Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Tea growing region. Yet, spring and summer bring distinct characters in these two consecutive seasonal batches of high mountain tea.
The spring harvest, our favorite so far this year, boasts a substantial, savory, foresty character with a thick mouthfeel. Its young, tender leaves, influenced by a cool, rainy spring, mimic the depth of a winter tea.
The summer batch, on the other hand, shines with a lighter, sweeter, and cleaner profile. The slightly more oxidized leaves mellows out the intrinsic astringency, offering a garden fresh quality that pops with a bittersweet finish. This summer batch is especially conducive to making cold brew tea. The seasonal differences are quite noticeable, while maintaining their fundamental Shan Lin Xi character.
Brewing Methods
For this tasting, we brewed 8 grams of each oolong tea in 150ml tea-judging cups. The dried leaves unfurled and reconstituted for 90 seconds on the first brew, followed by 50 and 65 seconds for the second and third brews. The side by side results? The spring tea delivers a balanced, foresty depth with a thicker mouthfeel. The summer leaves brewed lighter in flavor and mouthfeel, offering a bittersweet, garden-fresh character—perfect for a refreshing cold brew.
Why Shan Lin Xi Stands Out
Shan Lin Xi was the first high mountain tea growing region to be developed in response the spike in demand for the tea originally produced at lower elevations in Lugu Township. It was literally the craze in the early 1990's. And it has continued to hold its own through the development of the subsequent regions of Alishan, Lishan, etc. Its consistent quality that comes from generations of craftsmanship in the Lugu area combined with a distinct character produced from its forested slopes shrouded in daily fog make it our top pick among Taiwan’s high mountain teas.
The spring 2025 batch once again won our flavor, but the summer batch is a steal at nearly half the price of spring tea! This pricing reflects traditional market trends, where spring and winter harvests command a premium over summer and fall produce.
In-Depth Video Review
Explore Taiwan Tea with Us
Whether you’re drawn to the savory depth of our spring Shan Lin Xi Oolong Tea or the light, sweet notes of the summer batch, there’s a Taiwan tea for every palate. Curious about brewing tips?
Check our product page for a detailed guide, especially for cold brewing the summer batch—it’s a game-changer! Dive into the world of high mountain tea and discover why Shan Lin Xi remains a cornerstone of our love for oolong tea. Visit our store to grab your summer batch and taste the difference today!
LET US KNOW!
Please post any questions or comments you may have in the comments section below!
SUBSCRIBE!
If you enjoyed this post and would like to hear more about the specialty tea industry here in Taiwan, follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram and please subscribe to our newsletter. Subscribe now and get US$5 off your first order.