Cultivar: Jade (Cui Yu or Tsui Yu) Oolong (翠玉), TTES No 13

Harvested by hand: March 23rd, 2021

Origin: Zhushan, Nantou (central Taiwan)

Process: Light oxidized, unroasted Oolong. Like Jinxuan, this cultivar was developed in Taiwan's Tea Research and Extension Station in the 80s (and known also as Taiwan tea No. 13). It's a 'fragrant' cultivar that is very suitable to start learning about rolled Taiwanese Oolongs. These leaves come from a plantation between Zhushan and Yiguang shan. The terrain is mountainous already and the elevation is around 600-700 meters.

1. View

These dry jade Oolong leaves have a dark green hue. The brew is golden with a good clarity. The open leaves are quite big and have a deep green color with oxidized edges.

2. Scents

The dry scents are fresh and grassy. The brew smells like a spring meadow.

3. Taste

The taste is mellow with a zesty feel at the end. Even when the brew is pushed to its limits, it doesn't turn bitter or astringent. 

Conclusion: Like Jinxuan, Tsui Yu/jade Oolong is a good choice for a lightly oxidized, everyday fresh Oolong. The Zhushan region offers a good balance of scents and taste for this tea. What I mean is that it would taste too light if it came from a high elevation.