Tea Geeks

O-TW-027

Dayuling Oolong

大禹嶺高山茶

High mountain ball-rolled oolong, from Dayuling, Taiwan.

Oolong tea

Dayuling Oolong is strongest on smoothness, aroma intensity and finish length. Typical tasting words: orchid, wet stone, pine, peach, honey. Grown along Taiwan's Central Cross-Island Highway above 2400 metres; output fell steeply after government land reclamation in the 2010s. Celebrated by connoisseurs as the pinnacle of Taiwanese gaoshan tea, revered for its dense texture and cold-mountain character.

Also known as Da Yu Ling, Dayuling Gaoshan and Da Yu Ling Oolong.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness4bitterness1astringency1umami2brightness3body4smoothness5aroma intensity5finish length5

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral4fruity2vegetal2marine0nutty0toasty0malty0honey2spicy0woody1earthy2smoky0creamy2citrus0stone fruit2tropical0cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin
Dayuling, Taiwan
Plant
Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Qingxin cultivar
Harvest
late spring or late autumn
Elevation
high
Oxidation
15 to 22%
Roast
unroasted
Leaf
rolled pellet
Price band
luxury
Availability
rare
Ageing
a little
Forgiving to brew
4 of 5
L-theanine
high

Made by: sun withering, then indoor withering, then tossing, then kill-green, then cloth-wrapped ball rolling, then drying.

Caffeine

A cup of Dayuling Oolong carries a typical estimate of 45 mg of caffeine, within a range of 25 to 60 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.

How to brew it

MethodLeafWaterSteeps
Western, 250 ml3 g92 to 96 °C2 min, 3 min, 4 min
Gongfu, 100 ml6.5 g92 to 98 °CRinse, then 25 s, 20 s, 25 s, 35 s, 50 s, 75 s
Cold brew, 250 ml2.5 gFridge8 to 12 hours

Up to 8 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

  • morning
  • afternoon
  • meditation
  • relaxing
  • social
  • midday

Pairs with sushi and fruit. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.

Tasting words explained

Similar teas

More: all oolong tea teas, or filter the whole drawer.