Lychee Oolong

Floral, fruity, and unlike any tea you’ve tasted before. DAE Tea’s Lychee Oolong is a naturally flavored Taiwanese oolong with a remarkable origin story — its signature lychee sweetness isn’t added artificially. It’s the result of nature, an ancient tea-making tradition, and a tiny insect that has been shaping Taiwan’s finest teas for centuries.

At the heart of this tea is a fascinating process unique to certain Taiwanese oolongs. The tea leaves are gently nibbled by a small insect called the tea jassid (also known as the leafhopper). In response, the tea plant releases natural compounds to protect itself — and those compounds, once the leaves are carefully processed, transform into the tea’s signature floral, honey-sweet, and lychee-like flavor. No artificial flavoring. No added ingredients. Just a remarkable collaboration between plant and nature.

The result is a cup that is light, fragrant, and gently sweet — with a complexity that unfolds slowly as you sip. It’s the kind of tea that makes you pause. A natural conversation starter, a mood-lifter, and a beautifully approachable introduction to the world of Taiwanese oolong.

The Story Behind the Flavor

What makes Lychee Oolong so special — and so unusual — is that its fruity sweetness is entirely natural. Here’s how it happens:

A tiny insect called the tea jassid, or leafhopper, feeds on the surface of young tea leaves. In response to this, the tea plant produces natural defensive compounds — terpenes and other aromatic molecules — that would ordinarily deter the insect. But when the tea master carefully harvests and processes these leaves, those same compounds transform under heat and oxidation into something extraordinary: a naturally sweet, lychee-like, honey-floral aroma that no artificial flavoring could replicate.

This process is the same one that gives Oriental Beauty — one of Taiwan’s most celebrated teas — its signature honeyed character. Our Lychee Oolong takes this traditional process and brings it into an approachable, everyday format: full-leaf tea bags that make this extraordinary tea easy to enjoy anytime.

Pairing Suggestions

Lychee Oolong’s natural sweetness and floral character pair beautifully with:

Fresh tropical fruit — mango, pineapple, passionfruit, or fresh lychee

Light desserts like mochi, panna cotta, or coconut-based sweets

Mild soft cheeses or light salads with citrus dressing

Dim sum and delicate steamed dishes

A warm afternoon or a quiet moment when you want something uplifting without the caffeine intensity of coffee

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the lychee flavor in this tea natural or artificial?

100% natural. The lychee flavor in our Lychee Oolong develops through a traditional Taiwanese tea-making process where tea leaves are gently nibbled by a small insect called the tea jassid. The plant’s natural response produces aromatic compounds that, after careful processing, create a naturally fruity, sweet, lychee-like flavor. No artificial flavoring, no added ingredients.

What does lychee oolong tea taste like?

Our Lychee Oolong is light, floral, and gently sweet — with a natural honey and lychee character that unfolds as you sip. It’s smooth with no bitterness, making it one of the most approachable and universally loved teas in our collection. If you enjoy fruity, floral teas, this one is made for you.

Is lychee oolong tea caffeinated?

Yes — like all oolong teas, Lychee Oolong contains caffeine, but at a moderate level — generally less than coffee or black tea. It also contains L-theanine, which promotes calm, focused alertness. Many people find it’s the perfect mid-morning or early afternoon tea: energizing without the anxiety or crash of coffee.

Can I drink lychee oolong iced?

Absolutely — and we highly recommend it. Cold brewing overnight (8–10 hours in the refrigerator) produces a beautifully clear, naturally sweet iced tea that needs no added sugar. The lychee flavor becomes even more vibrant when chilled. It’s one of our most popular summer drinks.

How many times can I steep these tea bags?

Each full-leaf tea bag can be steeped 2–3 times. Add about 30 seconds to each additional steep. The second brew tends to be slightly mellower and even silkier — many people prefer it to the first.

Is this tea good for beginners?

It’s one of our top recommendations for people new to Taiwanese oolong. The natural lychee sweetness makes it immediately approachable, and the absence of any bitterness means there’s no learning curve. If you’ve been curious about oolong but weren’t sure where to start, Lychee Oolong is a wonderful first cup.

How is Lychee Oolong different from the 1000M Oolong?

Both are Taiwanese oolongs in full-leaf tea bag format, but they offer quite different experiences. The 1000M Oolong is our classic high mountain oolong — clean, balanced, and subtly floral. Lychee Oolong has a more expressive, fruity character thanks to its unique production process. Think of the 1000M as your everyday calm, and the Lychee Oolong as your moment of brightness.

The DAE Difference

We were introduced to this tea on a trip to Taiwan’s tea farms, and we fell in love immediately — not just with the flavor, but with the story behind it. A tea whose sweetness comes entirely from the relationship between a plant, an insect, and generations of traditional craftsmanship felt like exactly the kind of thing we wanted to share.

Like everything in the DAE collection, our Lychee Oolong is sourced directly from trusted farms in Taiwan, packed in plastic-free full-leaf tea bags, and shipped to you as fresh as possible. No middlemen. No shortcuts. Just a truly remarkable cup of tea.