Datong Organic High Mountain Oolong Winter

Winter Harvest Datong Organic High Mountain Oolong

Datong (大同) is one of Taiwan's hidden gems for high mountain oolong. Located in Yilan County in northeastern Taiwan, its tea gardens sit high in the mountains where cool temperatures, mountain fog, clean water, and slow-growing conditions help create the sweet, airy character that Taiwanese high mountain tea is known for.

While spring harvest teas are often prized for their depth and structure, winter harvest teas have a different appeal.

In Taiwan, tea drinkers often say:

"Spring tea values flavor; winter tea values aroma." (春茶重味，冬茶重香)

Winter teas grow during Taiwan's cooler season, developing a softer, more elegant character with heightened fragrance and a creamier texture. This Datong Winter Harvest is a beautiful example of that style.

The aroma opens with notes of sweet pumpkin, butter, and fresh cream. In the cup, you'll find flavors reminiscent of sweet potato, supported by a creamy sweetness that coats the palate. A subtle minerality runs underneath the tea, giving it dimension and preventing the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional. Soft floral notes emerge in the aftertaste, reminiscnet of dried wildflowers and dried roses. The finish is clean, airy, and lingering—the signature sensation that makes high mountain oolong so beloved.

If the Spring Harvest Datong feels like airy apple pie filling transformed into tea (try for yourself here), this Winter Harvest feels more like creamy sweet potato pie filling reimagined as a clean, elegant high mountain oolong. Creamier, softer, and more aromatic, yet still carrying the refreshing mountain character that keeps you reaching for another cup.

This tea is also organically grown in Datong's mountain environment, surrounded by forests and natural vegetation. The result is a tea that feels especially clean, vibrant, and expressive of its origin.

Gongfu Brewing

Use 5g of tea leaves in a 90–100ml gaiwan or teapot with 200°F water.

Give the leaves a quick rinse.

1st infusion: 25–30 seconds
2nd infusion: 12 seconds
Then add approximately 2-3 seconds to each subsequent infusion.

Expect around 8 infusions. Be careful not to over-steep—high mountain oolong is meant to showcase elegance, fragrance, and texture rather than sheer intensity.