Oolong Teas
Oolong - Any variety of Camellia sinensis that undergoes a multi-step process after harvest of withering, rolling, oxidation and firing. Oolong tea’s enzymes are partially oxidized to create a liquor that ranges from reddish brown to green to pale yellow. The G. S. Haly Co. standard collection of Oolongs focuses on those famous and finest types mostly from Taiwan and China.
China Origin:
Ancient Beauty Jasmine – Item: 533211 – Standard Min: 5Lbs [Organic, Fair Trade]
Origin: Jing Mai Mt., Yunnan, China. In Yunnan, likely the most culturally diverse province of China, you find in the Southern tip equa-distant from Laos, Burma and Vietnam the Jing Mai Mountains and its’ wild forest of ancient tea trees. This forest is a national treasure made of trees 1000 years old. The Bulang and Dai hill tribes have enjoyed the area’s teas for more than 1300 years. The particular jat of these tea trees is called Yunnan Da Yeh or Yunnan Broad Leaf and being wild they are unspoiled by machine or chemical cultivation. This is a unique tea that is also certified Fair Trade, 100% Organic and supports an indigenous natural heritage. The tea’s tippy base is unusual as a pairing for jasmine but works wonderfully; to find a heavily oxidized Oolong based jasmine tea is unique. This tea yields a beautiful caramel colored liquor and provides an uncommonly smooth and sweet base that balances with, but is not over-powered by the rich jasmine taste.Magnolia Oolong – Item: 5143 – Standard Min: 11Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: Fujian, China. The oxidation of this base tea is between 20–25%, making this a very green and sweet Oolong. The tight roll is reminiscent of Tung Ting Oolong from Formosa. This tea is scented in the same manner as Jasmine teas but with Magnolia petals. It is from the Fujian province of China.Ti Kwan Yin – Item: 5141 – Standard Min: 45 or 11Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: Fujian, China. Ti Kwan Yin loosely translated means Iron Goddess of Mercy. Produced in the Mt. Wu Yi Shan region, Fujian (Fukien) province, China's oolong teas tend to be more heavy and full-bodied, compared to their Formosa counterparts. Most recently this tea has been called “Wu-Long” by some purveyors. The tea bushes from which these oolongs are picked are short, spreading shrubs with glossy, dark green leaves with curling, serrated edges. The tightly twisted leaves produce an aromatic, amber liquor that has an invigorating, full-bodied sweet taste with a long-lingering aftertaste.
Taiwan Origin:
Fanciest - Item: 27313 – Standard Min: 10Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: O mei, Hsin Chu Hsien, Taiwan. Often referred to as the "Champagne of Teas," Oolong is often the personal choice of professional tea tasters. Fancy Oolong is hand picked once a year, when the flavor is at its finest. Mostly grown in the Omei area of the Hsinchu county, the leaves are naturally curly and the tender sprouts are picked during the peak of summer. This tea is a compromise between black and green tea. The leaves are only partly oxidized and turn a greenish brown. The term "Fancy" refers to the best grade produced and is distinguished by its delicate peach pit flavor while the "restaurant" type produces a heavy, flat, dark cup, more like a low grade China black. Oolong, although not much lower in caffeine, is considerably lower in acid content than black tea. The better grades have a crisp, dry, greenish brown leaf with silver tips. The common grades have a dark brown to black appearance with cruder, shorter leaves. Oolong Fanciest is truly spectacular. It is silver tipped and its oxidation level of about 40% makes the taste incredible. This tea provides many infusions and each have a different flavor profile.Choicest - Item: 27176 – Standard Min: 22Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: O mei, Taiwan. The extra large silver tipped leaf is beautiful.Standard - Item: 24270 – Standard Min: 55Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: O mei, Hsin Chu Hsien, Taiwan. The natural pan-fired leaf creates a full mellow cup.Green Dragon Oolong - Item: 228A – Standard Min: 11Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: Luku Township, Taiwan. This very lightly oxidized Oolong (less than 10%) is so sweet and floral you would think that it was perfume instead of tea. The cup is slightly buttery and nutty with a smooth finish and medium bodied mouth feel.
Thailand Origin:
Ming Thai Oolong - Item: MTO-05 – Standard Min: 11Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: Chaing Mai, Thailand. This is a lightly oxidized (approximately 10%) Oolong has great qualities across a range of steeping times. Overall the character is mild, with rich nutty notes and a light sweetness with green overtones. This is a very exotic tea. We suggest using 2 grams for one cup with 2000 to boiling water, steeped 3 to 6 minutes.
