Honey Scented Oolong.png
Honey Scented Oolong.png

Honey Scented Oolong

from €8.00

Honey Scented Oolong is a naturally sweet and aromatic tea from Alishan, Taiwan, grown at around 200 meters elevation. Its distinctive honeyed fragrance and caramelized fruit aroma come from a unique natural process — the tea leaves are lightly bitten by tiny leafhoppers before harvest. This causes the tea plant to release enzymes that create a rich, honey-like sweetness once the leaves are processed. The result is a smooth, amber-colored liquor with notes of ripe fruit, sugarcane, and warm caramel, finishing with a gentle acidity and lingering sweetness.

Gram:

Honey Scented Oolong is a naturally sweet and aromatic tea from Alishan, Taiwan, grown at around 200 meters elevation. Its distinctive honeyed fragrance and caramelized fruit aroma come from a unique natural process — the tea leaves are lightly bitten by tiny leafhoppers before harvest. This causes the tea plant to release enzymes that create a rich, honey-like sweetness once the leaves are processed. The result is a smooth, amber-colored liquor with notes of ripe fruit, sugarcane, and warm caramel, finishing with a gentle acidity and lingering sweetness.

  • Oolong tea (Wu Long Cha, 烏龍茶) is a semi-oxidized tea that bridges the freshness of green tea and the depth of black tea. It is famous for its layered aromas, silky texture, and long, evolving aftertaste.

  • The name “Honey Scented” comes from the natural honey aroma created when leafhoppers (Jacobiasca formosana) gently bite the young tea leaves. This insect-biting triggers the plant’s defense mechanism, resulting in the formation of sweet, fruity compounds during oxidation. The process is similar to that used in Oriental Beauty tea, but this version is lightly roasted and less oxidized, giving a smoother and fresher taste.

  • It combines medium oxidation and light roasting, bringing together the honeyed sweetness of Oriental Beauty and the refreshing clarity of Alishan teas. The tea’s natural honey, caramel, and fruit notes develop beautifully through multiple infusions, making it a rare example of nature’s collaboration between tea and insect.

  • Amber-red liquor; smooth and mellow body; flavors of honey, caramel, and ripe fruit with a hint of brightness; soft and long-lasting finish.

Recommended Gongfu Brewing Method

Recommended Teaware:
Porcelain gaiwan or clay pot (to highlight its aroma and depth).

Water Temperature:
90–100°C

Brewing Instructions:

  1. Tea-to-water ratio: 4 g per 120 ml (1:30).

  2. First infusion: ~50 seconds.

  3. Subsequent infusions: Gradually increase steeping time with each brew.

Honey Scented Oolong can be brewed 5–6 times, revealing deeper honeyed and caramel notes with each round. Its layered aroma is best enjoyed slowly in small sips.

Essential Info

Chinese Name: 蜜香乌龙 (Simplified) 蜜香烏龍 (Traditional)
Region: Alishan, Chiayi County, Taiwan
Elevation: ~200 m
Harvest Time: 2025

Description:
Honey Scented Oolong is a lightly roasted, medium-oxidized oolong from Alishan, Taiwan. Made from leafhopper-bitten tea leaves, it offers a natural honey fragrance with notes of caramelized fruit and ripe sweetness. Smooth and aromatic, it brews into a clear amber liquor with a mellow and elegant finish.

Tasting Profile:
Amber-red liquor; smooth, rounded, aromatic; notes of honey, caramel, ripe fruit; long, sweet, warm finish.

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