Shan Lin Xi Mi Xiang Hong Cha

Description

Shan Lin Xi Mi Xiang Hong Cha (杉林溪蜜香紅茶) is a beauty-style black tea that features an attractive mi xiang honey aroma and taste. This tea is handpicked from the leaves of Qing Xin cultivars plants that are grown at an altitude of 1,200-1,300 on the slopes of Da Lun Shan (大崙山) in the fantastic Shan Lin Xi tea growing area. It features a smooth taste with sweet honeyed notes and minimal tannins. Harvested in June 2023.

The distinct mi xiang aroma found here is similar to other beauty teas. These are unique teas favoured for their honey-like profile that occurs due to presence of little green leaf hoppers (Jacobiasca formosana) that nibble the tea leaves during growth. The tea plants react to this attack by producing more polyphenols, which during processing give the unique ‘beauty tea’ flavour. These tea jassids are an essential aspect in production of some Taiwanese teas.

While a lot of the black tea (hong cha) from Taiwan tends to have a more robust flavour due to the use of cultivars descended from assamica plants, this tea utilises the Qing Xin cultivar that is normally reserved for oolong production. Hence the trademark Taiwanese black tea taste that is evident in teas like our Yuchi Assamica and Yuchi Red Jade is not presented in this particular Hong Cha. While there is still an aspect that is familiar, such as a light eucalyptus edge, the overall flavour really is a wholly different experience.

This Shan Lin Xi Mi Xiang Hong Cha consists of smaller, wiry and tippy leaves. It produces a supremely smooth liquor with a pronounced honeyed flavour and overall sweet impression. The taste is tangy and stony with notes of red fruits, eucalyptus and acacia honey. The aftertaste is soothing, with minimal tannins and just a touch of dryness.

It is best brewed at 90°C for 3 minutes according to your taste and should be brewed multiple times, increasing steeping time with each brew if desired. For best results, we recommend gong fu brewing method.

This Shan Lin Xi Mi Xiang Hong Cha black tea was first featured in our December 2023 Curious Tea Subscription Boxes.