Jin Xuan Oolong金萱烏龍
Grown across Taiwan — Ali Shan, Nantou, Mingjian
Jin Xuan Oolong is a oolong from Grown across Taiwan — Ali Shan, Nantou, Mingjian. Brew it at 90°C with 5g of leaf per 100ml of water; expect up to 8 short infusions in a small gaiwan or teapot. No rinse needed.
Quick facts
- Origin
- Grown across Taiwan — Ali Shan, Nantou, Mingjian
- Category
- Oolong
- Cultivar
- Jin Xuan (TRES #12)
- Oxidation
- light
- Roast
- none
- Water temp
- 90°C
- Leaf ratio
- 5g / 100ml
- Infusions
- up to 8
- Rinse
- No
Tasting notes
The milk is real. Jin Xuan (TRES #12) is a cultivar that produces unusually high levels of natural lactones, and the result is a buttery, custard-like cup with soft vanilla and a round body — no additives, no scenting, just the leaf. The subtlety is the trap. People hear "milk oolong," expect a dessert, and then over-steep it looking for more. Push this one past about 30 seconds on the first infusion and the creamy character disappears, replaced by a harsh vegetal edge that has nothing to do with what Jin Xuan actually is. Brew short and tight. 5g, 90°C, keep steeps disciplined, and the milk note holds through seven or eight rounds. The other warning: cheap Jin Xuan on the market is often scented with actual flavoring — if the dry leaf smells like a dairy aisle, walk away. Real Jin Xuan stays quiet on the dry leaf and opens in the cup; fake Jin Xuan hits you across the room.
Flavor profile
Naturally creamy and smooth with a distinctive milky sweetness that comes from the cultivar itself, not added flavoring. Higher levels of natural lactones produce a buttery, custard-like character with gentle floral undertones. Minimal astringency makes it exceptionally approachable. Beware dubious artificially flavored versions — genuine Jin Xuan is subtler.
Terroir
Adaptable cultivar; best examples from moderate-to-high elevation (600–1200m)
Cultivar: Jin Xuan (TRES #12)
Brewing
- Steep 1: 30 seconds
- Steep 2: 20 seconds
- Steep 3: 20 seconds
- Steep 4: 25 seconds
- Steep 5: 30 seconds
- Steep 6: 35 seconds
- Steep 7: 40 seconds
- Steep 8: 50 seconds
Standard ball-rolled oolong parameters. The creamy character fades if over-steeped — keep it tight and enjoy the milk notes across many rounds.
Aroma & taste
Aroma
- milk
- butter
- custard
- soft floral
Taste
- cream
- buttery sweetness
- vanilla
- light floral
Processing
- withered
- semi-oxidized
- ball-rolled
Sources
- https://pathofcha.com/products/ali-shan-milk-oolong-tea
- https://meileaf.com/tea/alishan-cream/
- https://eco-cha.com/products/jin-xuan-oolong-tea
- https://tecompanytea.com/blogs/tea-atelier/what-is-milk-oolong-tea
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jin_Xuan_tea
- https://jteainternational.com/oolong-tea-times-blog/golden-lily-jin-xuan-tea-cultivar-deep-dive/