O-TW-029
Jin Xuan (Milk Oolong)
金萱
Lightly oxidised ball-rolled oolong, from Nantou, Taiwan.
Oolong tea
Jin Xuan (Milk Oolong) is strongest on smoothness, creamy and sweetness. Typical tasting words: milk, butter, vanilla, sweet pea. Bred by Taiwan's Tea Research and Extension Station and registered in 1981 by Dr Wu Zhen-duo, named after his grandmother. Celebrated for its natural lactone-derived buttery sweetness; authentic lots are unflavoured, though artificially scented imitations are common.
Also known as Jin Xuan, Taiwan Tea No. 12 and TRES #12.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Nantou, Taiwan
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Jin Xuan (TRES #12)
- Harvest
- spring or autumn
- Elevation
- mid
- Oxidation
- 15 to 25%
- Roast
- unroasted
- Leaf
- rolled pellet
- Price band
- affordable
- Availability
- everywhere
- Ageing
- a little
- Forgiving to brew
- 5 of 5
- L-theanine
- moderate
Made by: sun withering, then indoor withering, then tossing, then kill-green, then cloth-wrapped ball rolling, then drying.
Caffeine
A cup of Jin Xuan (Milk 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 min, 3 min, 4 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 6 g | 90 to 95 °C | Rinse, then 15 s, 20 s, 25 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s |
| Cold brew, 250 ml | 3 g | Fridge | 6 to 10 hours |
Up to 7 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- morning
- afternoon
- morning
- afternoon
- relaxing
- social
Pairs with pastry, scones_cakes and fruit. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- O-TH-046Thai Oolong (Jin Xuan)
shares smoothness and creamy - O-VN-047Vietnamese Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-TW-025Alishan High Mountain Oolong
shares smoothness and sweetness - S-TW-013Orchid Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-TW-040Fushoushan Oolong
shares smoothness and sweetness - O-TW-041Yu Shan Oolong
shares smoothness and sweetness
More: all oolong tea teas, teas from Nantou, Taiwan, or filter the whole drawer.