• Hand harvested with only the youngest buds and tender leaves covered in fine white tips
• Naturally sweet with layered honey, floral, and fruity flavours from the presence of leafhoppers
• Highly oxidised with a rich amber infusion and elegant lingering mouthfeel
• Requires precise ecological balance and pesticide free cultivation
• Famous for its royal association with Queen Victoria, earning the name Oriental Beauty
• 100% natural ingredients, free from additives, colourants, and preservatives
• Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
• Sealed in a 100g zip-sealed bag to maintain optimal freshness.

Nigiro Taiwanese Oriental Beauty Oolong Tea is one of Taiwan's most prized and elegant oolongs, celebrated for both its refined flavour and rich history. Also known as Bai Hao, Pong Hong Dei, White Haired Oolong, or even Champagne Formosa, this tea is distinguished by its high level of oxidation, delicate floral aroma, and sweet, honeyed character.

The name Bai Hao, meaning "White Tip", refers to the fine silvery hairs that cover the young buds and tender leaves, a visual sign of their quality and careful harvesting. In Taiwan's Hokkien dialect, the tea is often called Pong Hong Dei, which loosely translates to "You must be joking tea". This name comes from the story of early tea farmers who discovered that the unique honeyed sweetness and fruity aroma were the unexpected result of leafhoppers biting the tea leaves. When they explained this to neighbours, many believed it was impossible and laughed, thinking it was a joke. But the tea proved otherwise, and the name remained.

The title Oriental Beauty arose in the early 20th century, when a British tea merchant was so captivated by the tea's exceptional quality that he presented it to Queen Victoria. Upon tasting its elegant complexity, layered with honey, fruit, and floral undertones, the Queen famously referred to it as an Oriental Beauty, sealing its reputation as one of Taiwan's most distinguished teas.

Modern cultivation of Oriental Beauty remains one of the most delicate and labour-intensive processes in the tea world. The presence of leafhoppers is essential, as their bites trigger a natural chemical reaction in the leaves, producing the tea's signature honey sweetness and complex aroma. However, growers must carefully manage this process. The balance is fragile-too few insects and the tea lacks character, too many and the leaves are damaged beyond use. Farmers maintain ecological harmony by avoiding pesticides, protecting biodiversity, and relying on favourable weather patterns.

Only the youngest buds and top leaves are hand harvested at precisely the right stage of growth. The processing requires skill, patience, and generations of experience to achieve the tea's high oxidation and signature profile.

The result is a highly prized, limited production tea with layers of floral aroma, baked fruit notes, and smooth honey sweetness. Its high oxidation creates a rich, amber coloured infusion with an elegant mouthfeel that lingers long after each sip. True Oriental Beauty is rare, requiring patience, favourable weather, ecological balance, and the skilled hands of experienced farmers to bring it to life.

Serving suggestion:

We recommend brewing oolong tea with water at around 85 degrees Celsius. Steep the tea for approximately 3 minutes, then taste to see if the strength suits your preference. If you desire a stronger brew, you may steep it for another minute or two. Use a teapot with an infuser for best results. If a teapot is not available, an infuser ball, infuser cup, or a fine mesh strainer will also work well. For each serving, use about 3 to 4 grams of loose leaf tea, or roughly one teaspoon. This tea may be steeped a second time; simply extend the brewing time to draw out the remaining flavour.

Please note:

Images are for illustration purposes only. Packaging may vary per batch, and the tea portions may differ from those shown in the images.

What's in the box
1 x Nigiro Taiwanese Oriental Beauty Oolong Tea 100g