S-CN-007
Osmanthus Oolong
桂花乌龙
Scented rolled oolong, from Guangxi, China.
Scented and blended tea
Osmanthus Oolong is strongest on aroma intensity, sweetness and smoothness. Typical tasting words: osmanthus, apricot, peach, honey. A traditional blend heavily associated with Guilin (meaning 'forest of sweet osmanthus'), matching regional floral harvests with semi-oxidised oolong leaves. Widely consumed throughout southern China and Taiwan during autumn festivities, symbolising reunion and noble virtue.
Also known as Gui Hua Oolong and Sweet Osmanthus Oolong.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Guangxi, China
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis and Osmanthus fragrans
- Harvest
- Spring or autumn leaf, scented autumn
- Elevation
- mid
- Oxidation
- 20 to 35%
- Roast
- very light
- Leaf
- rolled pellet
- Price band
- affordable
- Availability
- 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 rolling into pellets, then drying, then baking with osmanthus flowers.
Caffeine
A cup of Osmanthus 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 | 85 to 90 °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 | 3 g | Fridge | 6 to 10 hours |
Up to 6 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- morning
- afternoon
- afternoon
- relaxing
- social
Pairs with pastry, fruit and sweets. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: yes. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- S-CN-028Peach Oolong
shares aroma intensity and sweetness - W-CN-002White Peony (Bai Mudan)
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-TW-026Lishan High Mountain Oolong
shares aroma intensity and sweetness - H-CN-022Osmanthus Flower
shares aroma intensity and sweetness - S-CN-005Jasmine White Peony
shares sweetness and smoothness - D-CN-009Bingdao Pu-erh
shares aroma intensity and sweetness
More: all scented and blended tea teas, teas from Guangxi, China, or filter the whole drawer.