Original description: https://www.caolytea.tw/products/東方美人茶1
Description on Teapedia: http://teapedia.org/en/Oriental_Beauty
Cultivar: Qing Xin Da Mao
Terroir: Beipu, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
Price per kg: NT$16000 (2100 PLN)

General info

Dongfang meiren (Chinese: 東方美人; literally: 'eastern beauty'), also known as "oriental beauty", "white-tip oolong" and "champagne oolong" is a heavily oxidized, non-roasted, tip-type oolong tea originating in Hsinchu County, Taiwan. It is an insect tea produced from leaves bitten by the tea jassid (Jacobiasca formosana), an insect that feeds on the tea plant. Terpenes (such as linalool and geraniol) are released in the bitten leaves, which creates a floral, fruity and honey-like taste.

The name Oriental Beauty is said to have originated in England. Legend has it that a British tea merchant presented this very tea to Queen Victoria, she highly praised this tea for its vivid golden red colored liquor and the mellow, sweet flavor. Only knowing that the tea was from the far East, she began calling this tea “Oriental Beauty”, which has been its common name ever since.

Preparation

Yixing teapot, traditional Gongfu Cha ceremony.
Temperature: 185°F (85°C)
Amount of tea: 3g
Time: 90/60/60s

Personal notes

This velvety tea transfers the lucky taster to the most beautiful Indian summer promenade one can imagine. White-brown-green-yellow leaves bring memories of an autumn park, sourdough and muscatel, only to open up and splash a rich palette of aromas, such as geranium, ripe fruits, honey, cherry jam, as well as woody and mineral notes. Long sweet finish will leave this pleasant sensation and be a comfort for the rest of the day.