Customer Reviews
After trying the Alishan High Mountain Jin Xuan version I had expectations to some degree but it blew them all out of the water. As soon as I opened the bag a stong green aroma hits your senses in the most wonderful way, I kept smelling the dry tea for while before finally settling on actually brewing it.
I went with the gonfu style brewing, 4 grams tea, 60 mL water, 100 C, 30 sec steep with no rinse.
Not rinsing this tea is right way to go cause that first steep was already aromatic and full of flavor. This is like Jin Xuan on steroids, jasmine and the vegatal note are pronounced strongly.
From 2nd to 5th steep flavor is constantly strong with a numbing jasmine flavor left on the palate, and I didn't even prolonged the steeping time, went with 30 seconds for the first 4 steeps and 45 seconds for the 5th. Compared to Jin Xuan one this had less dryness.
I tried doubling the water for the 6th steep just to see how it holds and it was still wonderful, flavors were a bit more gentle maybe, but I was still able to get 2 more steeps out of it.
PIus, I could probably throw it into hot water and let it sit overnight to squeeze the last good bits if I wanted.
I'm still not over how great this is, albeit I have little experience to compare this to yet this tea packs so much punch with so little that I'm sure adding this to your stash will make you happy.
The winter 2024 Alishan Gao Shan Cha was very good. Creamy, buttery and slightly fruity (peach). It perfectly represents Taiwans most famous tea growing area.
It’s amazing. Sweet, floral, light, makes me think of morning dew and foggy waterfalls. The moment the tea touches my lips I can’t help but get pulled immediately into the presence where the taste and sensations the tea create collide, simultaneously filling me with tranquility and energy. I can make no guarantees as to what you’ll experience when you drink it, others I’ve shared it with seemed like it wasn’t that impressive, it is a more mild tea… I will say I do not drink sugary beverages, so I’m very able to pick up the sweet notes. But to me, to my tastes, this is straight up magic in a cup. Not just because of how they go from tiny little pearls to a full gaiwan packed with leaves (with full stems that have like, structure to them and it’s mind boggling that they managed to get that small and then that big again. It’s sorcery) but the flavor of the tea, and its ability to force me into presence with every sip… it’s worth every penny and probably more.
And while I do it for every tea session I have, mentally thanking and sending well wishes to the people whose work has brought this magic into my hands, I do it with every single pour of this tea from my gaiwan. Every time I smell the lid, I’m filled with gratitude. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to buy this tea, and thanks to everyone who participated in its creation.
Alishan Oolong is one of my favorite types of tea, and this Alishan is a great one. The leaves are beautiful, the taste is warm and inviting, and it holds up wonderfully over several brews.
The tea was delivered quickly. I enjoy the almondy taste of the High Mountain Oolong.