Dong Ding | Taiwanese oolong
Tasting notes: brown butter, cannabis, grapefruit
Dong Ding Oolong is one of Taiwan's most renowned teas and is considered among the finest in the world. The light to medium oxidation imparts nutty notes and a smooth caramel-like flavor, while the traditional charcoal heating bestows a subtle, roasty finish, perfect for the fall and winter months yet enjoyable year-round due to its delicate, medium body and minimal astringency.
Tea Region
Tea tree
Cultivar
Harvest
Picking & processing
Alishan, Chiayi, Taiwan
Camellia sinensis sinensis
Chin Xin
Spring, 2023
Up to the forth leaf
In the misty heights of Alishan mountain, where the air is crisp and the views stretch across rolling green hills, a tea of exceptional quality is born. This is Dong Ding Oolong, also known as Frozen Summit, a tea that holds a revered place in Taiwan’s tea tradition and is cherished by connoisseurs worldwide.
Though Dong Ding traditionally hails from Lugu in Nantou County, the passing years have seen a decline in the quality of its crops. But in the pursuit of perfection, we’ve turned our attention to the nearby Alishan, a mountain equally famed for its high-altitude teas. Here, the finest Chin Xin Oolong leaves are carefully handpicked and crafted into a tea that surpasses the original Lugu crops in both flavor and aroma.
While many modern Dong Ding Oolongs are lightly roasted to cater to contemporary tastes, we celebrate the traditional deep fire roast that gives this tea its unique character. The result is a brew that envelops your senses in layers of dark, roasted notes, buttery richness, and a hint of spice that dances on the palate. The tea’s complexity is remarkable, with each sip revealing new depths, and its finish lingers long after the cup is empty, leaving a sweet, warm memory.
Grilled mushrooms
The earthy, umami flavors of grilled mushrooms complement the tea’s roasted profile, creating a savory, satisfying pairing.
Buttered scones
This is a great pairing to highlight the tea’s subtle sweetness, while the buttery texture enhances its creamy finish.
Roasted duck with plum sauce
The rich, fatty duck pairs beautifully with the tea’s depth, while the plum sauce adds a fruity contrast that echoes the tea’s sweet undertones.
Banana bread
The caramelized sugars in banana bread bring out the tea’s sweeter side, and the soft, moist texture complements the tea’s smooth, full-bodied character.
Tea character
Leaf
Burned crust, Aperol liquer
Cup
Burned biscuits, cinnamon-baked apple
Flavor
grapefruit juice, buttery scone, pine jam
How to brew
Temperature
Tea weight
Water amount
Steeping time
99 °C
6 gram
100ml
20 sec (add 5 sec per steep, up to 10 steeps)
Temperature
Tea weight
Water amount
Steeping time
99 °C
5 gram
500ml
2 min (you can brew 2-3 times)