We did a side by side tasting of our Traditional Dong Ding Oolong Tea and our Dong Ding Oolong Tea. We now procure both of these selections from the same source. Currently, our Traditional Dong Ding Oolong Tea is from spring 2023 harvest and our Dong Ding Oolong Tea is from winter 2023 harvest. So they are two different seasonal harvests from the same farm and made in the same way by the same craftsman. So, other than the difference in seasonal harvests, the only significant difference between them is that the traditional version is left unroasted, whereas the standard Dong Ding Oolong is roasted. Starting with the upcoming spring 2024 harvest, we will be able to offer the same seasonal crop in these two different versions: unroasted and roasted.

The roasted version has become the standard Dong Ding Oolong Tea in recent decades largely due to its promotion by the Lugu Farmers' Association — which holds the world's largest Oolong Tea competition for this type of tea. Traditoinally, Lugu tea farmers and craftsmen did not roast their produce. The roasted version of their tea began with Taiwanese tea merchants who purchased the farmers' tea and roasted it themselves, which eventually became more popular.

Watch the tasting video for the full story and tasting notes:

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