The King of Taiwanese Oolongs – Dong Ding

Legends of Origin

Once upon a time, there lived Lin Fengchi, who had a cherished dream of becoming an official. In order to pass the exams, the gentleman needed funds. So he asked his neighbor to lend him money and, having received it, went to Fujian.

Lin Fengchi, upon arrival, met his friend, whose name was also Lin. He was a famous tea grower. The namesake allowed the gentleman to stay with him while he passed the exams and received his diploma. Time passed. Lin Fengchi successfully passed the exams and came to the tea grower with his diploma. Delighted that his name was also indicated in the document, he gave the graduate a gift - he presented 36 seedlings of tea bushes.

Returning home, the gentleman planted tea bushes on one of the spurs of Fenghuangshan. Thus, tea called Dong Ding was first grown.

History of the variety

Taiwanese oolong appeared in the distant 1660, when Fujian refugees brought Guan Yin tea bushes to the island. The very first oolong variety was Dong Ding tea, based on the production of which other oolongs began to be made a little later. A characteristic feature of this tea variety was a tight twist - young leaves were rolled into a tight ball, which opened up into three tea leaves when brewed.

Tea growing areas

At first, high-mountain Dong Ding was grown in the Nantou area. The tea grew on plantations in Yunlong, Feng Huang and Pingding. The unique taste of the Taiwanese drink was formed by the mineral composition of the soil, the impressive height of the plantations above sea level and the constant blowing of the tea bushes by the sea trade winds. Thanks to the unique microclimate of these places, the tea received a pronounced, deep taste, enveloping with freshness.

Depending on where it grows in Nantou County, this variety comes in three varieties, each with a different taste and aroma. These are Lishan Dong Ding (Chinese: 梨山冻顶, pinyin: líshān dòngdǐng), Alishan Dong Ding (Chinese: 阿里山冻顶, pinyin: ālǐshān dòngdǐng) and Shan Ling Si Dong Ding (Chinese: 杉林溪冻顶, pinyin: shānlínxī dòngdǐng). Each of them has a different taste and aroma. A true connoisseur of Taiwanese oolong tea should try each type of Dong Ding to enjoy its delicious taste and aftertaste.

Production technology

Dong Ding Oolong "from the frosty peak" is characterized by low fermentation. In the 17th-18th centuries, due to the incomplete procedure of collecting oolong, it was more fermented. At that time, tea pickers had to conquer a mountain 800 m high. It was at this height that tea bushes were planted. Having collected the youngest tea leaves, farmers descended from the mountains. This had to spend a lot of time, as a result, the raw materials required longer processing. Actually, this high-mountain tea drink received such a name due to the special collection procedure. It is translated as "up and down the paths." Local residents realized that it was profitable to grow oolong, so they created their own small family plantations.

Nowadays, the collection of Taiwanese oolong is automated, although small-scale tea production is still developed in Taiwan. Young dark green leaves are thoroughly roasted and the tea leaves are twisted, giving them a spherical shape. Thanks to this processing, the Taiwanese drink gets a wonderful baked aroma and noble taste. And most importantly, it has unique properties, since it retains many healing microelements.

Tea drinking culture

The Taiwanese tea ceremony has not lost its originality, although it has absorbed some elements of Japanese-Chinese culture. It takes place in complete silence, so that nothing interferes with the peaceful atmosphere that is created during the consumption of this noble drink. To reveal the amazing taste of Taiwanese oolong, you should follow all the rules of the tea ceremony.

To prepare this noble drink, you will need a glass or porcelain teapot. A porcelain gaiwan is also ideal for this tea. Warm up the dishes by pouring boiling water over them to feel the magnificent floral-confectionery aroma of the drink. Keep in mind that tightly twisted Dong Ding leaves increase in volume several times when brewed. Therefore, place no more than 10 grams of tea in a warmed teapot with a volume of 120 - 150 ml, pour in water and drain the water after 5 - 10 seconds. Then the already opened leaves are poured with water again and after 10 seconds you can drink oolong, which will retain its aroma when brewed again. This high-mountain tea drink can be brewed up to 5-6 times, each time increasing the infusion period.

Remember, to get Taiwanese oolong with excellent taste, you need to follow the following rules:

• Do not over-infuse the tea to avoid spoiling the taste of the tea;
• Use purified water, such as bottled or spring water;
• Water should not be below 80-85 °C, but not above 95 °C

For tea drinking, take small bowls to truly enjoy the wonderful taste of every sip of the tea drink.

Description of taste and aroma

The taste of Taiwanese tea conquers from the first sip. It can be described as bright, thick, multifaceted, with piquant honey notes and light berry sourness. The bouquet of tea is floral and spicy, rich, leaving a long, nutty-fruity aftertaste. The aroma is intoxicating, with a light smell of spices.

The effect of drinking tea

The healing properties of the high-mountain tea drink make it unique. Dong Ding Oolong tea boasts a rich mineral and vitamin composition that has a beneficial effect on the human body. This delicious high-mountain drink has the following effect:

• accelerates metabolic processes;
• removes waste and toxins;
• increases mental activity;
• relieves fatigue;
• strengthens vascular walls;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• relieves hangover symptoms;
• normalizes blood composition;
• promotes weight loss;
• rejuvenates the skin;
• helps fight viral infections;
• improves visual function.

To help the body wake up and get a boost of energy for the whole day, tea is drunk immediately after waking up. It is very refreshing and improves mood. During the evening tea ceremony, oolong allows you to escape from worldly affairs and relax. The piquant taste of this tea drink goes well with fruity notes. It awakens sensitivity, being a great aphrodisiac. The tonic effect of Dong Ding Oolong in tandem with a delicious aroma will bring great pleasure.

Dong Ding is one of the best oolongs

Good tea is a rare thing. Today, Taiwanese oolong is one of the most beloved tea drinks in the world, especially revered among famous models, movie stars and show business. Having tried this delicious high-quality tea, you will certainly appreciate its multifaceted taste qualities and will never want to drink a regular teabag again.