shan lin xi

type: oolong

origin: taiwan

region: shan lin xi

caffeine: medium

price level: $$$$

In Taiwan, tea grown in gardens situated above 1,000m in elevation are designated as Gao Shan Cha, or "High Mountain Tea." The famous region of Shan Lin Xi ranges from 1,500m to over 1,900m in elevation, with dense bamboo groves interwoven between the tea gardens. This selection from the winter harvest offers intriguingly heady aromas with distinctive notes of purple passionfruit, stargazer lily, and hints of jackfruit and yuzu. It is a bit fruitier than our Da Yu Lin selection from the same season. Gao Shan Cha is produced in two harvest seasons. The winter harvest is celebrated for having a delicate body with unique aromatic performance emphasizing essential oils. The spring harvest delivers a more balanced body with hydrosol-based aromas. In either season, we select just one or two spectacular micro-lots that demonstrate the most vibrant aromatic complexity for traditional enjoyment.