🍵 The Leaf — Spring-plucked Taiwanese oolong from Nantou County, medium-tight rolled and lightly oxidised at around 18 percent to preserve a greener, fresher style with elegant depth
🍵 The Cup — A luminous pale gold infusion with a clean, rounded body, soft honeyed sweetness, and a long, lingering finish that stays pleasantly on the palate
🍵 The Character — Floral and gently honeyed with notes of cassia flowers, bright and lifted from the lighter oxidation, yet warmed and balanced by careful, gentle roasting
🍵 The Occasion — A superb choice for slow afternoon brewing or a mindful solo cup; equally rewarding across two or three unhurried steepings
Formosa Jade Oolong is a beautifully aromatic loose leaf tea from the highlands of central Taiwan, prized by connoisseurs for its sweet floral character, honeyed depth, and the clean, lingering finish that sets the finest Taiwanese oolong apart. Produced around Ming Jien village in Nantou County — one of Taiwan's most celebrated tea-growing regions — this spring-plucked oolong is lightly oxidised at around 18 percent, giving it a distinctly greener style that retains brightness and freshness while medium-tight rolling and gentle roasting add warmth, structure, and a quiet, satisfying depth.
In the cup, Jade Oolong reveals soft notes of honey and cassia flowers, with a fragrant, rounded body that feels at once elegant and effortless. The greener character brings lift and vitality; the careful roasting brings balance. The result is a floral oolong tea that feels polished and expressive, with an aftertaste that lingers pleasantly for several minutes after drinking — the mark of a tea made with real care and skill.
The cultivar itself was developed by the Taiwan Tea Experimental Station in the 1970s, adding a further layer of heritage and craftsmanship to what is already a remarkable leaf. This is a pure oolong with nothing added — no flavourings, no blending — which means everything in the cup comes directly from the quality of the leaf, the conditions of the garden, and the skill of the producer.
Since 2008, High Teas London has been one of the country's leading independent tea specialists, building a collection of over 350 teas and infusions — one of the largest in the country. Formosa Jade Oolong is exactly the kind of tea that defines what we look for: a tea with genuine character, clear provenance, and the kind of flavour that rewards a little time and attention.
Ingredients: Oolong tea.
Brewing Note: Jade Oolong rewards patience and a light touch. Use water at around 85 to 90°C — freshly boiled and left to cool for a minute or two — and steep for 3 to 5 minutes for the first infusion. The leaf will give at least two further steepings, each one shifting subtly in character: the first is brightest and most floral, the second deeper and warmer, the third softer and more honeyed. If you have a clear glass teapot or gaiwan, use it — watching the tightly rolled leaves slowly unfurl is one of the quieter pleasures of brewing a quality Taiwanese oolong.
