O-TW-039
Gaba Oolong
佳葉龍茶
Anaerobically fermented rolled oolong, from Nantou, Taiwan.
Oolong tea
Gaba Oolong is strongest on sweetness, smoothness and fruity. Typical tasting words: plum, raisin, caramel, cinnamon, dried fig. Developed initially by Japanese researcher Dr. Tojiro Tsushida in 1987, the anaerobic nitrogen processing method was subsequently adapted by Taiwanese producers to create rich oolongs. Popularised globally both for its distinct tart, baked-fruit flavour profile and night-time relaxation associations.
Also known as GABA Tea and Gabaron Oolong.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Nantou, Taiwan
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Jin Xuan or Qing Xin
- Harvest
- spring, summer, or autumn
- Elevation
- mid
- Oxidation
- 50 to 75%
- Roast
- light
- Leaf
- rolled pellet
- Price band
- mid-range
- Availability
- fairly common
- Ageing
- a little
- Forgiving to brew
- 5 of 5
- L-theanine
- moderate
Made by: nitrogen chamber vacuuming, then withering, then tossing, then panning, then cloth ball rolling, then drying.
Caffeine
A cup of Gaba Oolong carries a typical estimate of 30 mg of caffeine, within a range of 20 to 40 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
| Method | Leaf | Water | Steeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western, 250 ml | 3 g | 90 to 95 °C | 2.5 min, 3 min, 4 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 6 g | 92 to 96 °C | Rinse, then 25 s, 25 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 90 s |
| Cold brew, 250 ml | 3 g | Fridge | 8 to 12 hours |
Up to 6 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- afternoon
- evening
- night
- evening
- bedtime
- relaxing
Pairs with pastry, cheese and dessert. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- B-JP-050Japanese Black (Wakoucha)
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-TW-037Hung Shui Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-MW-052Malawi Oolong
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shares sweetness and smoothness - B-CN-010Ning Hong
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shares sweetness and smoothness
More: all oolong tea teas, teas from Nantou, Taiwan, or filter the whole drawer.