Premium Oriental Beauty Loose Leaf Tea

Tea is pronounced like “Dae” in Taiwanese.

Origin

Hsinchu, Taiwan

Cultivar

Qing Xin Da Mao (青心大冇)

Elevation

300–800m

Harvest

Summer 2025, Hand-Picked (“one bud, two leaves”)

Processing

Natural leaf-nibbling oxidation (jassid-induced)
Light charcoal finishing

Named by Queen Victoria for its elegance, Oriental Beauty is one of Taiwan’s most storied and celebrated oolong teas. It is renowned for its naturally honeyed aroma and silky, layered sweetness — not from added flavorings, but from a rare ecological relationship in the tea garden.

During the summer growth season, small jassid insects gently nibble the edges of young tea leaves. This triggers the plant to respond by producing enzymes and aromatic compounds that create the tea's signature honey, stone fruit, and floral notes. Only the tender “one-bud, two-leaf” clusters are hand-harvested, requiring skilled pickers and small-batch production.

After picking, the leaves are lightly oxidized and finished with a soft charcoal roast, preserving both freshness and depth. The result is a bright, elegant oolong with sweetness, warmth, and a refined finish — a tea treasured for its craftsmanship and natural alchemy.

Why This Tea is Special

Oriental Beauty’s signature flavor cannot be manufactured — it only occurs when:

- The right cultivar grows in the right season
- At the right elevation and humidity
- With the natural presence of jassid insects
- And master-level oxidation control

This is one of the few teas in the world where nature and human craft co-create flavor.

No flavoring. No blending. Just leaf, sun, time, and skill.

Brewing Guide

For a delicate, silky cup:

Tea: 3.5–5g
Water: 180–250ml
Water Temperature: 190–200°F (88–93°C)
Time: 2-3 minutes

Multiple infusions encouraged — flavor deepens rather than flattens.

Pairing Suggestions

- Afternoon calm time or reading break
- With fruit pastries, sponge cakes, or shortbread

Tasting Notes

- Aroma: Honeycomb, white flower, orchard fruit
- Body: Silky sweetness, apricot, warm floral tones
- Finish: Clean, lingering, naturally sweet