O-TW-037
Hung Shui Oolong
紅水烏龍
Traditional medium-oxidised roasted oolong, from Taitung, Taiwan.
Oolong tea
Hung Shui Oolong is strongest on sweetness, body and smoothness. Typical tasting words: baked bread, caramel, chestnut, peach, honey. A revival of mid-20th-century Dong Ding styles, emphasizing heavier oxidation and thorough roasting before the fashion turned toward greener high-mountain profiles. Appreciated by connoisseurs seeking a rich amber liquor and comforting warmth, suited for colder months.
Also known as Red Water Oolong and Hong Shui Oolong.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Taitung, Taiwan
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Qing Xin
- Harvest
- spring or winter
- Elevation
- mid
- Oxidation
- 35 to 50%
- Roast
- medium
- Leaf
- rolled pellet
- Price band
- mid-range
- Availability
- specialist
- Ageing
- worthwhile
- Forgiving to brew
- 5 of 5
- L-theanine
- low
Made by: solar withering, then indoor withering, then heavy tossing, then panning, then cloth ball rolling, then drying, then slow roasting.
Caffeine
A cup of Hung Shui Oolong carries a typical estimate of 35 mg of caffeine, within a range of 25 to 45 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 min, 3 min, 4 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 6 g | 92 to 98 °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 7 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- afternoon
- evening
- after_dinner
- cold_weather
- relaxing
Pairs with pastry, nuts and poultry. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- O-CN-001Tieguanyin (Traditional Roast)
shares sweetness and body - O-TW-032Roasted Dong Ding
shares sweetness and body - O-TW-042Charcoal Roasted Formosa Oolong
shares sweetness and body - O-TW-031Dong Ding Oolong
shares sweetness and body - O-TW-039Gaba Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-TW-035Muzha Tieguanyin
shares body and smoothness
More: all oolong tea teas, or filter the whole drawer.