Yu Shan Jin Xuan

Ah, Jin Xuan! Better known as Milky Oolong, few other teas have fallen victim to so many—and often blatant—imitations. Needless to say, this one never came into contact with any real milk. Nor does it come from Ali Shan, like most of its kind, but rather from Yu Shan, Taiwan's highest mountain, which rises to almost 4,000 meters.

The eponymous milky quality is present in every aspect of this refreshing and delicate oolong. Even before unfurling, the warm leaves exude aromas of melted butter, almonds, and sugar. Upon contact with water, these shift toward sweetened milk, cream, and fresh snow peas. The smooth, silky liquor carries almost no green notes, instead combining fleeting notes of white flowers and blanched almonds with the mild fruitiness of cantaloupe.

This Jin Xuan conveys a milky quality without actually tasting like milk, making it one of the more engaging representatives of its kind.

Written by Sven

About the farmer and sourcing

We met Zhang Jun He during our sourcing trip to Yilan in spring 2026, while searching for outstanding teas from Taiwan’s lesser-known production areas. Born in 1973, Zhang grew up between school and helping his family produce tea, before eventually deciding to dedicate his life to tea farming, with a particular focus on ecological cultivation.

Reserved and rather shy, Mr. Zhang is a passionate and remarkably attentive farmer. His approach to the tea garden reflects this character: rather than trying to control every aspect of nature, he carefully observes the ecosystem and works with it. He avoids chemical pesticides and fertilizers, lets weeds grow and return nutrients to the soil, and allows insects to play their natural role in the garden. His wife, Yu Meihui, works alongside him and supports the family tea business.

We discovered Mr. Zhang and his teas by visiting one of his gardens, followed by a tasting during which we selected the teas we wanted to bring to Nannuoshan. In the video below, you can follow that first encounter with Mr. Zhang and Mrs. Yu, our walk through their tea garden, and the tasting that eventually led to these teas becoming part of our selection.

(VIDEO BELOW TO BE CHANGED WHEN THE RIGHT ONE IS AVAILABLE)