O-TH-046
Thai Oolong (Jin Xuan)
ชาอู่หลงจินเซวียน
Lightly oxidized rolled oolong, from Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Oolong tea
Thai Oolong (Jin Xuan) is strongest on smoothness, creamy and sweetness. Typical tasting words: milk, butter, vanilla, orchid, sweet pea. Cultivated in northern Thailand since the late twentieth century after Taiwanese tea cultivars were introduced as part of crop-replacement initiatives for opium poppies. A cornerstone of tea tourism in Mae Salong, popular with domestic consumers and international visitors alike.
Also known as Thai Milk Oolong, Doi Mae Salong Oolong and Jin Xuan No. 12.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Jin Xuan (TRES #12)
- Harvest
- spring through winter
- Elevation
- high
- Oxidation
- 15 to 25%
- Roast
- very light
- Leaf
- rolled pellet
- Price band
- affordable
- Availability
- fairly common
- 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 Thai Oolong (Jin Xuan) 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 95 °C | 2 min, 3 min, 4 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 6 g | 90 to 95 °C | Rinse, then 25 s, 20 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 90 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
Pairs with pastry, sweets and salads. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- O-TW-029Jin Xuan (Milk Oolong)
shares smoothness and creamy - O-VN-047Vietnamese Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-TW-025Alishan High Mountain Oolong
shares smoothness and sweetness - O-TW-040Fushoushan Oolong
shares smoothness and sweetness - S-TW-013Orchid Oolong
shares sweetness and smoothness - O-TW-041Yu Shan Oolong
shares smoothness and sweetness
More: all oolong tea teas, teas from Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai, Thailand, or filter the whole drawer.