Gao Shan oolong tea is a low-oxidation oolong from Mingjian, Taiwan. Its natural creamy notes, given by the cultivar of origin Jin Xuan, are enriched and enhanced by a milky aroma with which the leaves are steamed during processing. Its enveloping body and sweet flavor with notes of butter and caramel know how to win over even the most difficult palates.
Tasting – Sight and smell
Gao Shan oolong tea has buds rolled into irregular shapes of small to medium size. Leaf colors fade from army green to dark green tending to anthracite, with a glossy surface and long, clearly visible stems. Once infused, the buds open to reveal sweet aromas reminiscent of malted cookies, milk and honey, butter cookies and caramel, with a faint hint of white flowers. The liquor is pale gold, bright and transparent.
Tasting Notes
GONG FU CHA
The first infusion of Gao Shan oolong tea has the sweet notes of toffee with a buttery cookie aftertaste and a barely noticeable floral quality. With the second infusion, the notes of the Jin Xuan cultivar come through more intensely, with hints of custard and hints of milk and honey. With the third brew, the body becomes thicker and creamier, with still milky hints and the sweetness of caramel on the finish.
WESTERN
The first sip of Gao Shan oolong tea opens with milky notes and a sweet hint of vanilla cream and butter cookie. The aftertaste is reminiscent of honey and cream, with a hint of caramel. It is a thick-bodied, enveloping tea with an almost creamy texture and a medium persistence characterized by milky notes. Astringency and bitterness are completely absent.
Place of origin
Mingjian, Taiwan
Method of infusion of Gao Shan Oolong Tea
We strongly recommend infusing Gao Shan Oolong Tea in the traditional Chinese method (Gong Fu Cha) with a gaiwan with a capacity of about 150 ml. By following this preparation, multiple infusions can be made with 5 grams of leaves that are useful to best capture all the flavor nuances of the tea.
Heat the water to a temperature of 85°C and proceed with an initial 15-second infusion. Keeping the water at the same temperature, you can then continue to exploit the same leaves by adding more water and increasing the infusion time by 10 seconds each time (15 – 25 – 35…).
This tea has a longevity of 4-5 infusions.
For a more classic preparation according to the Western style, we recommend 3 grams of leaves in a 200-mL cup with 85°C water for a 3-minute infusion time.
For a better tasting experience, we suggest that you strain the tea as soon as the brewing time is over. The infusion timings we suggest can be slightly modified to your liking to achieve a more or less intense taste.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Benefits of Oolong tea
The main benefits to be derived from Oolong teas stem from the significant content of mineral salts and antioxidant phenols in the leaves.
Some studies, in fact, report that daily intake of Oolong tea can affect bone health by improving the concentration of minerals in this tissue and promote a decrease in blood sugar due to the stimulating effect of phenols on insulin.
Oolong teas also generally possess a low concentration of caffeine. This feature make the oolong easier to be consumed in every moment of the day also for the people more sensitive to this exciting substance.