Qingxin

Qingxin means green heart. It is the cultivar with the longest cultivation history in Taiwan, the most popular among both tea farmers and tea drinkers, and by far the most widely planted. When people in Taiwan speak of Wulong, they are usually referring to Qingxin Wulong. It is the cultivar traditionally used to produce authentic Dong Ding tea.

From the early 1980s onward, more and more high mountain tea regions were developed, where Qingxin has since found its widest distribution. Due to the strong temperature fluctuations and frequent mist in high mountain areas, these teas naturally develop a much finer, milder, and sweeter composition. They were therefore intended as an alternative to Dong Ding or lowland teas. For this reason, high mountain teas are particularly well suited to a greener style of processing, often referred to as bouquet style.

Alishan Qingxin Oolong Tea

This Qingxin from Alishan is a lightly oxidized, bouquet-style high mountain tea. Because of the gentle oxidation, the tea has a very floral and refreshing character. Aromatically, it faintly recalls the floral notes of green tea, but thanks to its processing as an oolong, it offers a much fuller body and a more intense and layered flavor experience.

In lightly oxidized oolongs, the leaves are handled very gently and are not shaken as strongly. As a result, no red leaf edges develop, giving the tea a particularly floral and refreshing profile. The infusion in the cup is correspondingly lighter in color. The aftertaste remains clearly perceptible for a long time, inviting a calm, meditative exploration of the tea’s complex character.

The Alishan Qingxin is unroasted and only lightly, yet evenly oxidized. This allows the typical character of high mountain teas to come through clearly. Thanks to its traditional processing, it can be stored without loss of aroma. With increasing age, the flavor of Alishan Qingxin gradually transforms and develops its own distinctive appeal.

Harvest: Spring 2020
Aroma: Floral, with typical high mountain freshness
Oxidation: approx. 30%
Roasting: none
Terroir: Alishan, Nantou, Taiwan
Preparation: This blog post explains how to brew oolong tea optimally.
Tip: The aroma unfolds best if the tea is not consumed too hot. Let it cool slightly in the cup before drinking.