Delightful Brews: Exploring Alishan Oolong and Oriental Beauty Teas

Taiwan’s tea culture is rich and varied, with Alishan Oolong and Oriental Beauty representing two of its most cherished varieties. Each tea encapsulates unique aspects of Taiwanese terroir and traditional craftsmanship, offering tea lovers around the world a taste of the island’s diverse tea landscape.

Geographical Influence and Cultivation

Alishan Oolong is cultivated in the Alishan area, one of Taiwan’s highest and most scenic mountain ranges. The high altitude, cool temperatures, and thick mists provide an ideal environment for growing tea. These conditions slow the plant’s growth, allowing it to develop a richer flavour profile.

Oriental Beauty, on the other hand, thrives in the lower elevations of Hsinchu County, in northern Taiwan. The tea owes much of its character to the eco-friendly cultivation practices where no pesticides are used. This encourages the visitation by leafhoppers, whose bites initiate the process that leads to the tea’s sweet and musky complexities.

Distinctive Flavour Profiles

Alishan Oolong boasts a light, floral taste with a hint of creaminess, making it a soothing and refreshing drink. The tea is lightly oxidized, which preserves its delicate green hues and soft, floral aromatics that are reminiscent of the lush, fog-laden landscapes of Alishan.

Oriental Beauty is characterized by its vivid amber hue and a flavour that combines elements of spice, honey, and ripe fruit. The tea’s distinctive taste is largely the result of its natural processing, including a higher degree of oxidation and the unique contribution of the leafhoppers.

Processing Techniques

The preparation of Alishan Oolong involves meticulous hand-picking of the tea leaves, followed by careful wilting, rolling, and low-temperature roasting. This minimal processing is designed to maintain the integrity of the leaf and its natural flavours.

Oriental Beauty requires a specific timing to harvest—after the leafhopper’s visitation but before the leaves can deteriorate. This tea is more oxidized than most Taiwanese oolongs, which contributes to its robust flavour and darker colour. The oxidation also releases more complex sugars and aromatic compounds, enhancing its overall sweetness and depth.

Brewing the Perfect Cup

For the best experience, both teas should be brewed using the Gongfu style, which involves steeping the leaves multiple times. For Alishan Oolong, water temperatures should be around 85-90°C to extract its delicate flavours without bitterness. Steeping time should start at 30 seconds for the first brew and increase with subsequent infusions.

Oriental Beauty requires slightly hotter water, around 95°C, to fully develop its rich flavours. The initial steeping can be slightly longer, up to one minute, with increments of 15-20 seconds for additional brews. This method highlights the tea’s complexity and evolving taste profile.

Health Benefits and Wellness

Both teas are celebrated for their health benefits. Alishan Oolong is particularly noted for its antioxidant properties, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, promote skin health, and support weight management. It’s also thought to have calming effects, making it a great choice for relaxation and stress relief.

Oriental Beauty is similarly beneficial, offering a high concentration of antioxidants and aiding in digestion due to its natural fermentation process. The presence of catechins in the tea helps in reducing inflammation and enhancing heart health.

Conclusion

Alishan Oolong and Oriental Beauty are more than just beverages; they are cultural symbols of Taiwan’s rich tea heritage. Whether you seek the light, ethereal qualities of Alishan Oolong or the complex, sweet notes of Oriental Beauty, each tea provides a unique and enriching sensory experience, reflecting the natural beauty and artisanal spirit of Taiwanese tea production. Enjoying these teas is not just about tasting a beverage; it’s about experiencing a vital part of Taiwan’s cultural and natural legacy.