O-GE-051

Georgian Oolong

ქართული ულუნგი

Northern-terroir hand-crafted oolong, from Guria, Georgia.

Oolong tea

Georgian Oolong is strongest on sweetness, smoothness and brightness. Typical tasting words: honey, pear, apricot, walnut, cut hay. Part of the recent revival of historic tea plantations in western Georgia, where abandoned Soviet-era bushes are harvested for artisan teas. Represented primarily in European craft tea shops by independent revitalisation projects.

Also known as Guria Oolong and Gruzian Oolong.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness4bitterness1astringency2umami1brightness3body3smoothness4aroma intensity3finish length3

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral3fruity3vegetal1marine0nutty2toasty1malty1honey3spicy1woody1earthy1smoky0creamy1citrus1stone fruit2tropical0cocoa0caramel1

Facts

Origin: Guria, Georgia
Plant: Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (Kolkhida hybrid)
Harvest: late spring to summer
Elevation: low
Oxidation: 30 to 50%
Roast: very light
Leaf: twisted
Price band: mid-range
Availability: rare
Ageing: a little
Forgiving to brew: 4 of 5
L-theanine: moderate

Made by: withering, then gentle tumbling, then controlled oxidation, then pan-firing, then twisting, then drying.

Caffeine

A cup of Georgian Oolong carries a typical estimate of 35 mg of caffeine, within a range of 20 to 50 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	85 to 92 °C	2.5 min, 3 min, 4 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	5 g	88 to 93 °C	Rinse, then 20 s, 25 s, 35 s, 50 s, 75 s, 95 s
Cold brew, 250 ml	3 g	Fridge	8 to 12 hours

Up to 3 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

morning
afternoon
afternoon
relaxing
social

Pairs with pastry, cheese and fruit. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.