A taste of the heavens, born from gardens grown above 1,000 meters. The cool mountain air and persistent mist slow the leaves’ growth. This creates a high mountain oolong tea of unparalleled smoothness, a creamy texture, and a naturally sweet, clean finish.
There is something truly magical about the authentic high mountain oolong tea. It's a brew so pure, clean, and smooth that it feels like you are tasting the cool mountain air itself. It is an experience that is hard to describe but impossible to forget once you have tried it.
In Taiwan, where these teas are perfected, they are known as Gao Shan Cha. This simply means "High Mountain Tea." These teas are among the most prized and sought-after in the entire world. This tea is loved by tea masters and new drinkers for its incredible quality. This collection is our humble tribute to the pristine, misty gardens where they are grown. It offers you an authentic taste of Taiwan’s most celebrated tea.
There's a secret that gives this special tea its unique and wonderful character. It’s all about the elevation. You can't just grab any tea and call it a true high mountain tea. The tea has to meet a certain standard. Leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant must be grown and harvested at an altitude of at least 1,000 meters above sea level. This is more than just a number. It's a standard that promises a higher level of quality.
This high altitude environment is actually a positive challenge for the tea plants. The thinner air and the cooler temperatures mean there is persistent cloud cover and mist. This shields the plants from harsh, direct sunlight. This special environment causes slow leaf growth. This slow, patient process is a gift, as it allows the leaves to concentrate all of their flavorful oils and nutrients.
The science behind it is fascinating. This slow growth naturally develops more L-theanine. This is a wonderful amino acid that creates a sweet, savory taste and a feeling of calm focus. At the same time, the leaves produce fewer catechins. These are the compounds that can cause bitterness in tea. The final result is a beautiful tea that's incredibly smooth, with a creamy texture and a complete lack of astringency. As a result, there is no bitter taste. It is a soft, gentle, and deeply satisfying brew.
Now that you know what makes this tea so special, you might think its story is ancient. But the history of High Mountain tea is actually a modern tale of discovery and innovation. Oolong tea was brought to Taiwan from mainland China in the 19th century. For a long time, tea was only grown in the lower, more accessible areas.
In the 1970s, as Taiwan's economy expanded, people began to appreciate fine tea. Tea farmers began to look for new places to plant their gardens. They started looking way up the mountainsides into areas that were once thought to be too wild for farming. As new roads were built into the mountains, farmers began to experiment with growing tea at these incredible new heights.
They discovered something amazing. The tea grown at such a high altitude had a completely different character. It was unbelievably smooth, fragrant, and sweet, unlike any tea grown below. Soon, everyone wanted a taste of this special "Gao Shan Cha". This new style of oolong quickly became a symbol of luxury and the pride of Taiwan. This became a true modern treasure born from a spirit of adventure.
This natural magic can only happen in a few very special places on Earth. We are incredibly proud that our entire collection of high mountain. Our collection of oolongs is sourced from the legendary Alishan mountain range in Taiwan.
The Alishan mountain region is a paradise for tea. It is known for its rich, fertile soil and an ideal climate. All these come together to produce some of the absolute finest teas on the entire planet. Other famous regions in Taiwan, like Lishan and Shan Lin Xi, also produce their own exceptional and unique teas. But Alishan has a signature profile that is loved everywhere for its perfect balance of floral, creamy, and sweet notes.
It is our great pleasure to work with the skilled farmers of this region. They have generations of wisdom to cultivate these precious leaves. We are so proud to bring you this authentic and delicious taste of Alishan oolong, a true treasure of the tea world.
Now, allow us to introduce you to the unique and wonderful personalities waiting in our collection. Each of these hand-picked teas tells the beautiful story of its specific plot on the mountain. We invite you to find the perfect high mountain oolong tea for your palate.
This tea is the quintessential high mountain oolong tea and the star of our collection. This tea is grown at a breathtaking altitude of 1,500 meters. Mountain Praise offers a sublime, buttery mouthfeel and a delicate, enchanting orchid aroma. It is the purest and most direct expression of the Alishan terroir you can find.
Our beloved Milk Oolong is a special high mountain version, grown with care at 1,200 meters. This impressive altitude naturally enhances its famous creamy and buttery flavor notes. The high mountain is exceptionally smooth, rich, and naturally sweet. If you love Milk Oolong, this version will show you its most elegant and refined side.
These two teas are a perfect showcase of the beautiful and delicate floral notes that the high mountains are famous for. Singing Oriole, grown at 1,400 meters, has a bright, crisp, and uplifting aroma that will fill the room. Floral Rhythm, from 1,300 meters, offers a wonderfully delicate nectar-like sweetness that is both refreshing and complex.
To honor these delicate leaves and the incredible flavors locked inside them, a gentle brewing process is key. Taking a moment to brew this tea properly is part of the experience. The reward is an unforgettable tasting journey that is well worth the care.
For the very best results, we recommend trying a Gongfu Cha approach. This traditional method uses a smaller teapot or a gaiwan with a higher ratio of leaves to water and shorter, focused steeps. Use water that is hot but just off a rolling boil and a steep time of about one minute for the first infusion.
One of the greatest joys of a premium high mountain oolong tea is its ability to be used for multiple infusions. Don't discard your leaves after one cup! You can steep them again and again, often five or more times. With each new steep, you will experience a wonderful, lingering, sweet aftertaste known as Hui Gan. This pleasant sensation in the back of your throat is a true sign of a high-quality, well-crafted tea.
This page celebrates the light, ethereal, and floral character of the high peaks. Our passion at Dong Po Tea extends to the full, rich spectrum of Taiwanese oolongs. We believe there is a perfect tea for every person, for every mood, and for every moment.
We also love and honor other wonderful tea traditions, like the rich, warm, and comforting flavor of Dong Ding. This is a classic roasted oolong tea from the beautiful mid-mountains of Taiwan. Its nutty, honey-sweet flavor is a completely different but equally wonderful experience. We warmly invite you to explore our full shop to discover a world of flavor that goes beyond the high mountains.
There is no substitute for the purity, elegance, and profound smoothness of a tea that has been grown among the clouds. It is a unique experience that every tea lover should have.
We invite you to explore our curated collection and discover the sublime difference that altitude makes. We hope you will take the opportunity to experience the smooth texture, the sweet finish, and the enchanting aroma of an authentic high mountain oolong tea. It's a taste of true tea luxury.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's natural to have questions when you're exploring a tea this special. We've gathered some of the most common ones we hear to help you get to know our High Mountain teas even better.
This tea costs more because its remote mountain farms are difficult to reach. The leaves must be carefully hand-picked, and the unique weather condition means there is a much smaller harvest each year, making this tea both rare and precious.
Its famous smoothness comes from the slow, cool growing process. This creates fewer bitter compounds, resulting in a tea with very low astringency. This gives it a wonderfully thick, creamy mouthfeel that is gentle and soft.
The spring harvest and winter harvest are the two most prized seasons. Spring tea is known for being intensely aromatic and vibrantly floral. Winter tea often has a softer flavor but a thicker, richer texture. Both are exceptional.
They are complete opposites! High Mountain Oolong is light, floral, and creamy because it isn't roasted. Dong Ding is a roasted oolong, which gives it a much deeper, warmer flavor with cozy notes of nuts and honey.
Yes, it's wonderful for relaxation! It is rich in a natural compound called L-theanine. This helps create a feeling of "calm focus". This makes it the perfect tea for a peaceful and mindful break in your day.
Dong Po Tea preserves Taiwan’s Oolong heritage with care, purity and tradition.
