When I first opened up my sample tin of Ali Shan oolong tea I thought there was a mistake since it closely resembles Ti Kuan Yin oolong tea. I thought for a second that Adagio Teas was pulling a fast one on me!
But after close inspection of the leaves, I noticed that there were differences and even the dry aroma coming off them quickly told a different story.
The leaves of Ali Shan are slightly larger and more round where Ti Kuan Yin is a wee bit smaller and more lengthy then round. And besides, Ti Kuan Yin is a Chinese Oolong, and Ali Shan is a Taiwanese Oolong.
So for folks who think they got the same tea under a different name, rest assured you did not! And below is where we can also conclude that…
About the Taste...
Ali Shan tea produces a light pleasant aroma with a flavor that is sweet, floral, and light with a sort of honey-like smoothness that gently lingers away. Simply put, it is a very relaxing tea that most fans of oolong tea should enjoy.
One thing I did not expect however is that there was more of a stronger aftertaste that grabs the palate more suddenly over varieties of this type. But this is far from a negative as it adds more character to this light beverage.
It is a nice warming tea that goes great after dinner and makes a perfect evening cup for folks who love their oolong tea, or prefer a break from white tea.
I think it tastes a bit more complex than Ti Kuan Yin, although they do share similar flavor characteristics. But the aftertaste of Ali Shan oolong tea is a bit more noticeable in my opinion and is not as “nutty” and/or "smoky" either.
Brewing is pretty simple, 200 to 212 degrees for 4 to 5 minutes. Just be sure and have a large infuser so you can watch the large leaves open up and float around in your cup!
