S-TW-013
Orchid Oolong
蘭花烏龍
Scented ball-rolled oolong, from Nantou, Taiwan.
Scented and blended tea
Orchid Oolong is strongest on aroma intensity, floral and sweetness. Typical tasting words: orchid, honeysuckle, butter, sweet pea, nectar. Developed in Taiwan by blending lightly oxidised ball-rolled oolongs with fresh orchid petals, though some styles mimic this naturally via cultivar selection. Appreciated among Taiwanese tea lovers as an elegant welcoming tea for guests, served in aroma cups to highlight lingering floral vapours.
Also known as Lan Hua Oolong, Lan Xiang Oolong and Orchid Scented Oolong.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Nantou, Taiwan
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (often Sijichun or Jin Xuan) with orchid flowers
- Harvest
- Spring or autumn harvest
- Elevation
- mid
- Oxidation
- 15 to 30%
- Roast
- very light
- Leaf
- rolled pellet
- Price band
- mid-range
- Availability
- fairly common
- Ageing
- a little
- Forgiving to brew
- 4 of 5
- L-theanine
- moderate
Made by: withering, then tossing, then partial oxidation, then kill-green, then scenting with orchid blossoms, then ball-rolling, then drying.
Caffeine
A cup of Orchid Oolong carries a typical estimate of 35 mg of caffeine, within a range of 25 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 | 88 to 95 °C | 2 min, 3 min, 4 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 6 g | 90 to 95 °C | Rinse, then 20 s, 25 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 90 s |
| Cold brew, 250 ml | 2.5 g | Fridge | 8 to 12 hours |
Up to 6 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- morning
- afternoon
- relaxing
- social
- meditation
Pairs with pastry, nuts and fruit. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- S-CN-001Jasmine Dragon Pearls
shares aroma intensity and floral - O-TW-025Alishan High Mountain Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-TW-034Baozhong (Pouchong)
shares aroma intensity and floral - S-CN-002Jasmine Silver Needle
shares floral and sweetness - G-TW-018Taiwan High Mountain Green
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-VN-047Vietnamese Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness
More: all scented and blended tea teas, teas from Nantou, Taiwan, or filter the whole drawer.