Oriental Beauty
Also known as Dong Fang Mei Ren, Dongfang Meiren, Pong-Fong Tea, White Tip Oolong
A Taiwanese oolong made from leaves bitten by a small green leafhopper. The plant reacts to the bites by forming aromatic compounds, and the processing strengthens them. The result is a tea with a honey-like, ripe-fruit aroma that is produced only in Taiwan.
Taste
Honey and ripe fruit
How we brew it
85 °C, 5 g per 100 ml. Several infusions, starting at 30 seconds.
Our personal recommendation – adjust it to your taste.
Cultural background
Researchers in Taiwan and Japan have studied how the insect creates the aroma. Bitten leaves contain more of certain fragrant compounds, and steps such as withering the leaves in the sun increase them further.
Where to drink it
No places on the map yet.
Sources
For everything above except our personal notes.