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Fanciest Formosa Oolong

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$26 $52 In stock

This tea is made in Northern Taiwan and is twisted (as opposed to the balled style). It is harvested around June, which is later than other oolongs. The growers allow a leaf hopper (Jacobiasca formosana) to attack the tea leaves. The plants release a compound in self-defense that we find deliciously similar in flavor to peaches. Mike saw the plants on the defensive on a trip to Taiwan; he found it fascinating to observe this remarkable botanical process.

Customer Reviews (5.0 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Christopher O. ★★★★★

The twisted leaves brew up a darker, more honeyed cup than I expected from an oolong, and that late June harvest gives it a depth that’s hard to find elsewhere. My first steep was a little strong, but once I dialed back the water temp it turned silky and rich.

Henry X. ★★★★★

The later June harvest really shows in the depth here, and I love how the twisted leaves hold up for multiple steeps without turning bitter. There's a quiet, steady sweetness that builds with each rinse, exactly the kind of complexity you want in a slow afternoon cup.

Stella ★★★★★

The twisted leaves unfurl beautifully in a glass pot, and that later June harvest really gives it a mellow depth I don't get from balled oolongs. Even the third steep holds its character, which is rare for me.