O-TW-033
Oriental Beauty (Dongfang Meiren)
東方美人
Bug-bitten striped oolong, from Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Oolong tea
Oriental Beauty (Dongfang Meiren) is strongest on aroma intensity, honey and sweetness. Typical tasting words: honey, muscatel, peach, orange peel, cinnamon. Developed in northern Taiwan in the early 20th century, famously relying on tea jassids biting the leaves to induce distinctive honeyed aromas. A celebrated competition tea in Taiwan, traditionally presented in high-end gongfu tastings without milk or sugar.
Also known as Dongfang Meiren, Bai Hao Oolong, Eastern Beauty and White Tip Oolong.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Qing Xin Da Mao
- Harvest
- early summer (June-July)
- Elevation
- low
- Oxidation
- 65 to 85%
- Roast
- very light
- Leaf
- twisted
- Price band
- premium
- Availability
- fairly common
- Ageing
- worthwhile
- Forgiving to brew
- 4 of 5
- L-theanine
- moderate
Made by: leafhopper feeding, then plucking, then solar withering, then indoor withering, then tossing, then panning, then cloth rolling, then drying.
Caffeine
A cup of Oriental Beauty (Dongfang Meiren) 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 | 85 to 90 °C | 2 min, 3 min, 4 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 5 g | 85 to 92 °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 7 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- afternoon
- afternoon
- social
- relaxing
- dessert_pairing
Pairs with pastry, scones_cakes and fruit. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
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shares aroma intensity and honey - O-TW-038Honey Oolong (Mi Xiang)
shares honey and sweetness - O-IN-043Darjeeling Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - B-NP-043Nepal Himalayan Orthodox
shares sweetness and smoothness - W-TW-013Taiwan White Tea
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-NP-045Nepal Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness
More: all oolong tea teas, or filter the whole drawer.