Ruan Zhi Oolong | black tea

This black tea is made from the Ruan Zhi (Soft Branch) cultivar, a Taiwanese oolong variety grown in the highlands of Yunnan. The tea is fully oxidized and then gently roasted using traditional Fujian-style roasting, an uncommon step for black tea.

While most black teas are not roasted, this additional roasting brings greater depth and roundness to the cup. The result is a smooth, full-bodied tea with natural sweetness, notes of honey, ripe fruit, and soft florals, and a lingering, mellow finish without sharpness.

The tea is cultivated by Wa people, for whom tea holds cultural and spiritual significance. In these borderland villages, tea gardens have grown alongside settlements for generations, forming a living landscape shaped by ritual, song, and daily life. Each harvest reflects both the wild character of the region and a deep respect for tea as a living presence.

Profile: Honeyed, floral, ripe fruit, rounded
Origin: Ximeng, Yunnan, China
Elevation: 1800 m
Harvest: March 2025
Farmer: Jiang Gongqiang
Cultivar: Ruan Zhi (Taiwan origin)
Brewing suggestion: 90-95°C | 5-10 s