QX 2021 Oolong, Yu Shan Taiwan N
QX 2021, Yu Shan Taiwan N
The Garden
Hidden high up on Jade Mountain, in the tree covered mountains of central Taiwan, is the organic Huang family garden. This little garden produces just 1.5T of tea each year. The garden is organic and full of life.
The Tea
QX stands for Qing Xin (roughly pronounced ‘chin-shin’), which is the name of the varietal of tea plant used to make this tea. Qing Xin is a highly prized varietal, producing a lower yield and superior flavour. To make this tea, the pickers head out early in the morning, picking three leaves and a bud. The leaves then sit in the sun for a short time before being placed onto these trays indoors, where they sit for the rest of the day. After this, the main oxidation process takes place by tumbling the leaves, followed by heating which kills the enzyme. Once the enzyme is killed, the leaves can no longer oxidise. The leaves are then rolled and dried a few times into small pearls (below). The tea is finished by roasting.
The QXs are magnificent. Taiwan’s premium varietal combined with the region’s quality season and a craft 36 hour process gives one of the most complex teas in our library.
The 2021 is young and fresh. The first infusion is sweet, floral, creamy, peachy, with hints of vanilla. The youth is apparent in the second infusion with a whole mouthful of sticky flower petal tannins and white grape skins. The infusions that follow are a melody of roasted peach and spice, hints of honey, and a creamy texture.