O-IN-044
Nilgiri Frost Oolong
Winter-harvest high-grown oolong, from Nilgiri, India.
Oolong tea
Nilgiri Frost Oolong is strongest on sweetness, brightness and smoothness. Typical tasting words: apricot, grapefruit, honey, honeysuckle, passion fruit. Developed in the Blue Mountains of southern India to capitalise on cold, dry winter night temperatures that concentrate aromatic compounds in slow-growing leaves. Valued by specialty blenders and connoisseurs for its pronounced clarity and high fruit aromatics.
Also known as Winter Frost Oolong and Nilgiri Winter Oolong.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Nilgiri, India
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis or hybrid clones
- Harvest
- winter (December to February)
- Elevation
- high
- Oxidation
- 25 to 45%
- Roast
- very light
- Leaf
- twisted
- Price band
- mid-range
- Availability
- specialist
- Ageing
- a little
- Forgiving to brew
- 4 of 5
- L-theanine
- moderate
Made by: sun withering, then indoor withering, then tossing, then partial oxidation, then pan-firing, then rolling, then baking.
Caffeine
A cup of Nilgiri Frost Oolong carries a typical estimate of 40 mg of caffeine, within a range of 25 to 55 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 90 °C | 2.5 min, 3 min, 4 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 5 g | 85 to 92 °C | Rinse, then 15 s, 20 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
- morning
- afternoon
- midday
- afternoon
- relaxing
Pairs with fruit, salads and pastry. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
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shares sweetness and brightness - O-NP-045Nepal Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-GE-051Georgian Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - B-NP-043Nepal Himalayan Orthodox
shares sweetness and brightness - O-TW-033Oriental Beauty (Dongfang Meiren)
shares sweetness and smoothness - W-MW-011Malawi White Tea
shares sweetness and smoothness
More: all oolong tea teas, teas from Nilgiri, India, or filter the whole drawer.