DA YU LING 1.7 MILE HIGH OOLONG TEA

In the 2650 metre elevation section in the Da Yu Ling garden, tea bushes grow almost haphazardly amongst fruit trees. The tea from this garden, which starts at 2000 metres is all very good. This peak of spring batch, picked from the highest grown bushes in the garden is considered Taiwan's finest. The garden is on the Li Shan, translated as Pear Mountain. By rights, we shouldn't be able to get hold of this tea, as it is bought almost before it is harvested, but our good friend and expert tea master Chien-Chen, will always relinquish a little of his own supply to us each year. It is the altitude and mineral rich, rocky soil that helps make this like no other tea. Slow growth and just one harvest a year ensure an unrivalled intensity of flavour and fragrance. The liquor has a lingering weight in the mouth yet is light and fresh at the same time. Aromatic notes of peach and apple are noticed both in the mouth and nose whilst the high content of healthy amino acids ensure a natural, nectar-like sweetness. With multiple infusions in the 'Gong Fu' brewing style, our customers have noticed flavours such as floral, macadamia butteriness, honey, caramel and peaches. As with all the best oolong teas, it can be hours later that these marvellous qualities are still being revealed on the palate. It is the highest grown tea in the world.