Product Overview
Shan Lin Xi is a delicious buttery green oolong from Nantou County, Taiwan. Shan Lin Xi is a pristine nature reserve known for its maples, wild-flowers, and butterflies. Tea from this region has a distinctive clear, crisp flavor and aroma known to oolong connoisseurs around the world. Shan Lin Xi translates to "Pine Forrest Stream". Our Shan Lin Xi tea farm is located on a steep hill at an altitude of 6,000 ft (1,800 m). The area is a beautiful forest of pine trees and bamboos and running rivers that enhance the environment for tea production.
The temperature is cool. Direct sun light only lasts for brief periods of time throughout the day. Fog covers the hills and tea farms for the rest of the time. These conditions ensure that the tea grows slowly to produce full plants with leaves that are robust, thick, and soft. Shan Lin Xi tea quality is above the average tea in Taiwan due to the superior growing conditions at higher altitudes.
This new harvest was lightly oxidized to enhance the incredible floral aroma. Once steeped the tea takes on an ethereal aroma of brown sugar and sweet cream. Light at first, the aroma builds and saturates your olfactory sense in a manner that is thoroughly pleasing. In this sea of cream and floral soaked sugar lies what can only be described as the tropical zest of fresh pineapple. It is a thoroughly surprising and positively delightful flavor experience that makes this an immense pleasure to drink. The slight astringency to this oolong tea provides a refreshing cleansing effect to the palate, so this tea is ideal after a heavy meal. The smoothness of Shan Ling Xi tea has a buttery quality to it, and later brewings bring out a sweet aroma that settles on the tongue with a very pleasing sensation.
Brewing Guide: We highly recommend brewing Taiwan oolong gongfu style to appreciate its many layers of flavor. The oolong may be prepared in a regular teapot, an Yixing clay pot, or in individual cups. Use about 1 tsp. per cup (8 oz.) of water heated to 80-90°C (176-194°F). Infuse for 2-3 minutes and pour off. The leaves may be resteeped 7-8 times. Shan Ling Xi oolong tea can be brewed slightly longer than the other Taiwan oolong tea.