Qi Lai Mountain Concubine Oolong

Tea Type: Oolong Tea

Tea Region: Qi Lai Mountain, Nantou County, Taiwan

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Clear, bright, amber gold coloured liquor.  
• Aroma:  Intense floral (rose, orange blossom), honey, fruity (muscat, lychee, pink lady apple, grapefruit) on a delicate toasty, woody background.
• Flavour: Floral (rose, orange blossom), honey, dried apple notes on a toasty background. 
• Mouthfeel: Complex yet lively liquor with a silky mouthfeel. A persistent honey-like sweetness in the finish. 

Brewing Guidance

• Measure 1g of tea per 100ml water. Boil water to 90℃. Steep for 4-5 minutes.

Reference: Op. 125

Tips for Tea Connoisseurs

Concubine Oolong (aka. "Gui Fei" in Mandarin Chinese) is a highly unique, distinctive Taiwanese oolong tea which has been created by synthesising the production method of Oriental Beauty oolong and Dong Ding oolong tea.

As in the production of Oriental Beauty oolong tea, tea leaves are allowed to be bitten by small leafhoppers known as "green fly" to initiate the oxidation process of the tea leaves to develop distinctive fruity-floral-honey flavour. However, Concubine oolong differs from Oriental Beauty in terms of oxidation level. In contrast to Oriental Beauty oolong tea which receives 70-80% of high oxidation without roasting, Concubine oolong tea receives a medium level of oxidation in combination with subsequent roasting, like in the traditional Dong Ding production method. 

Our Qi Lai Mountain Concubine Oolong Tea comes from Qi Lai Shan, located at the intersection of Nantou County, Hualien County and Taichung County in Taiwan. Qi Lai Shan is one of 100 top peaks in Taiwan, with its north peak reaching 3,607 meters above sea-level. As Qi Lai Mountain is a relatively untouched area of tea cultivation in Taiwan, only local tea connoisseurs in search of authentic, top quality high mountain oolong teas are familiar with Qi Lai Mountain. 

Having said that Concubine oolong is a unique Taiwanese oolong tea that combines the production method of Oriental Beauty and Dong Ding oolong tea, our Qi Lai Mountain Concubine Oolong Tea is even more special and unique than other concubine oolong teas on the market, due to its high elevation. Made from the precious Qing Xin cultivar, grown in the high elevations of 1800m on the Nantou side of Qi Lai Mountain, our Qi Lai Mountain Concubine Oolong Tea has been carefully hand-plucked and artfully crafted by our renowned Tea Master, Mr. Li, who is also an appointed judge at the Lugu Farmers' Association Dong Ding Oolong Tea Competition. 

When brewed, our Qi Lai Mountain Concubine Oolong offers a luscious liquor that harmoniously blends floral (rose, orange blossom), honey, dried apple notes on a mild, toasty background. As is the case of all high mountain oolong teas which are exposed to low temperature and limited sun exposure, which then results in the slow growth of tea bushes, but more concentrated flavours and textures, our Qi Lai Mountain Concubine Oolong also offers more intense floral note and thicker sweetness than its lower altitude counterparts. The liquor is full-flavoured without astringency and the honey-like sweetness lingers long in the finish. 

Also Try our Qi Lai Mountain Concubine Oolong as a cold-brew. It makes a highly fragrant and refreshing infusion that can be savoured as a healthy, non-alcoholic aperitif - it may well replace your favourite rosé in hot summer evenings.

As Qi Lai Mountain is not as well-known as Li Shan or Ali Shan, oolong teas from Qi Lai Shan are not commonly available in the markets outside Taiwan. This is a rare opportunity to try a unique, exceptional, high mountain Concubine Oolong from Qi Lai Mountain, which has been crafted with the perfectionism of a renowned tea master. 

An absolutely exquisite tea - highly recommend to oolong tea connoisseurs.

As with all the teas, oolong tea also offers us health benefits to increase our sense of well-being. Several studies indicate that oolong tea is a rich source of antioxidant polyphenols and it may well be just as beneficial as green tea to promote weight loss and cardiovascular health by reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol. blood pressure and cholesterol. 

If you like this product you may also like Oriental Beauty Avant-Garde, Darjeeling Sungma China Muscatel, Darjeeling Turzum Himalayan Mystic and 20 Years Aged Antique Oolong.