What is Jin Xuan Tea? Is it green tea or oolong tea? Oolong teas produced from different tea tree varieties have distinct characteristics. Jin Xuan tea is known for its light milky fragrance. Also known as Taiwan Tea No. 12, commonly referred to as “27 Zai.” The alias “Jin Xuan” originates from the name of the grandmother of the first director of the Tea Research and Extension Station, Wu Zhen-Duo. It`s worth mentioning that tea varieties cultivated after the 57th year of the Republic of China are named Taiwan Tea XX, while those before are named Taiwan Agricultural XX. These were developed by the Tea Research and Extension Station – Pingtung Tea Experimental Substation.
How are tea tree varieties cultivated? Jin Xuan tea trees are developed through cross-breeding, not genetic modification. Cross-breeding involves manually transferring pollen from the stamen of one flower to the pistil of another tea tree, then cultivating the resulting seeds to find superior tea tree varieties. This process takes 21 years to complete one breeding cycle. Jin Xuan is a variety developed by cross-pollinating the “Hard-Stem Red Heart” pollen with “Taiwan Agricultural No. 8,” which is resistant to diseases and pests and has high yields. It belongs to the medium-growing variety, which means it can be harvested in early April. Early varieties are represented by Four Seasons Spring, harvested at the end of March. Late varieties are represented by Qingxin Oolong, harvested in mid-April. Harvesting times for early, medium, and late varieties differ by about a week.
Jin Xuan tea is commonly cultivated in mid to low-altitude tea-producing areas, with altitudes below 1500 meters, such as Songboling, Zhushan, Alishan, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli. Due to economic reasons, high-altitude areas rarely cultivate Jin Xuan tea tree varieties. For example, in the Lishan tea garden at 1700 meters, under the same oolong tea production method, the tea produced from Qingxin Oolong often commands a higher price than that produced from Jin Xuan.
What are the characteristics of Jin Xuan tea? Leaf characteristics: The leaves are wide oval-shaped and thick. The appearance of Jin Xuan tea leaves differs from the slender and long leaves of Qingxin Oolong, being wide and oval-shaped with thick flesh. Tasting characteristics: Light milky fragrance with a golden-yellow color. When processed into oolong tea, it has a light milky fragrance, and the tea soup is golden-yellow. The heavier the fermentation of Jin Xuan tea, the lighter the milky fragrance.
Comparison of flavors: Each has its own unique charm. Jin Xuan tea is best suited for making partially fermented tea, which is oolong tea. It also suits making non-fermented green tea and fully fermented small leaf red tea. When processed into Dongfang Meiren tea, the white hairs (young buds) on the leaves will be quite noticeable.
How to choose high-quality Jin Xuan tea that suits your taste? Jin Xuan oolong tea is characterized by its milky fragrance, which varies in intensity depending on the processing technique and fermentation level.
Lightly fermented Jin Xuan tea: Lightly fermented Jin Xuan oolong tea has a stronger milky fragrance, with a refreshing tea soup and a green-yellow color. Drinking too much may cause stomach discomfort. Moderately fermented Jin Xuan tea: Moderately fermented Jin Xuan oolong has a subtle milky fragrance, a sweet tea soup, a golden-yellow color, and is not tiresome to drink. Moderately fermented Jin Xuan tea with high-level tea-making craftsmanship has a sweet taste, golden-yellow soup, and a “milk candy” aroma, representing the highest grade of Jin Xuan oolong tea. It`s worth mentioning that if the Jin Xuan tea has a pronounced milky fragrance, resembling milk candy, and the aroma lingers on your hands for a long time when you rub the dried tea leaves, it`s likely artificially scented Jin Xuan tea, not naturally scented.
Common questions about Jin Xuan tea, is Jin Xuan tea green tea?
Jin Xuan tea is a variety name, while green tea refers to the manufacturing method. Jin Xuan Green Tea refers to tea made using Jin Xuan variety tea trees and processed using green tea methods. Jin Xuan Green Tea is less common, and what is commonly found is Jin Xuan Oolong Tea, which is made using Jin Xuan variety tea trees and processed using oolong tea (partially fermented) methods.
Is Jin Xuan tea high in caffeine?
Jin Xuan tea belongs to the small leaf variety of tea trees, so its caffeine content is lower compared to the large leaf variety. It belongs to teas with relatively low caffeine content.
Is Jin Xuan tea good? How should I choose?
Jin Xuan tea has the following characteristics: its taste is sweet and not bitter, widely loved by the public. Its unique milky aroma makes it one of the representatives of Taiwanese tea. The appearance of dry tea leaves is plump and beautiful. Brewing is simple, yielding a rich flavor with a small teapot and a sweet taste with a large teapot. It is reasonably priced and makes for a great gift choice.
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