Bai Hao Oolong, also known as Oriental Beauty Tea, earns its name from its unique characteristics. In fact, if one were to speak of true oolong tea, only Bai Hao Oolong can be considered the genuine "oolong tea." Below is a detailed introduction to what Oriental Beauty Tea - Bai Hao Oolong is.
What is Oriental Beauty Tea - Bai Hao Oolong:
The name Bai Hao Oolong comes from its prominent white hairs on the leaves. It is the most heavily fermented among semi-fermented green teas, typically with a fermentation degree of 60%, sometimes reaching 75-85%. As a result, it produces no raw or grassy odors and is neither bitter nor astringent. The tea trees are not sprayed with pesticides, and the leaves are entirely handpicked, focusing only on the "one bud and two leaves." The highest grade features an abundance of white-haired buds, making it exceptionally precious. It is reputed to be the most expensive tea in the world. While other teas require about 1,000 to 2,000 buds to produce 600 grams, Bai Hao Oolong needs at least 3,000 to 4,000 buds, almost entirely made from tender young buds.
Origin of Oriental Beauty Tea - Bai Hao Oolong:
It is produced exclusively in Taiwan, specifically in the Emei and Beipu areas of Hsinchu, as well as in Houlong, Touwu, and Toufen in Miaoli. The best harvesting season is from mid-May to mid-June, around the Dragon Boat Festival.
Characteristics of Oriental Beauty Tea - Bai Hao Oolong:
Characteristic One: Insect Saliva Combined with Tea Enzymes Enhances Aroma
The most unique aspect of Bai Hao Oolong is that the tea leaves must be bitten and sucked by small green leafhoppers (also known as tea jassids). The insect's saliva mixes with the tea enzymes to create a special aroma. The quality of the tea depends on the extent of the leafhoppers' bites. To ensure the leafhoppers thrive, no pesticides can be used during production, making cultivation more challenging and the tea even more precious. The best leaves have large white hairs and exhibit vibrant red, yellow, and green colors. The tea liquor is bright and vivid with an orange-red hue, offering a natural honey scent and ripe apple aroma. The taste is sweet and smooth, with good infusion endurance.
Characteristic Two: Suitable for Both Hot and Cold Consumption
The tea leaves display red, white, yellow, green, and brown hues, while the liquor is amber-colored, with mature fruity and honey notes. The flavor is soft, sweet, and mellow, with little astringency. As it is suitable for both hot and cold brewing, adding a drop of strong liquor like brandy when the tea cools slightly can enhance its richness, earning it the nickname "Champagne Oolong." Over a century ago, when exported to Europe and other Western countries, it reached the British royal family. Queen Victoria, impressed by its taste and the gentle, graceful appearance of the unfurled leaves, named it "Oriental Beauty."