This renowned tea type is known by many names—Oriental Beauty, White-Tip Oolong, Dongfang Meiren, or even the cheeky "Bragger’s Tea." The signature characteristics of this tea are a juicy, honeyed fruitiness and a silky floral mouthfeel that lingers long after the last sip. This particular tea comes from the prestigious Xu Family, multi-generational masters based in Hsinchu who have won the "Special Grand Prize" a record-breaking 16 times.
 
The 2025 Winter harvest offers a slightly more mellow and "frozen" orchid-like sweetness compared to the explosive fruity notes of summer. It is a true "symbiotic masterpiece," made possible only through an uncompromised natural farming approach that welcomes the tiny tea green leafhopper into the garden.
 
In the world of Oriental Beauty, the Xu family's name is synonymous with excellence. Master Xu Yaoliang operates on a "60/40" philosophy: 60% of the tea’s quality is gifted by nature and the leafhopper, while 40% is the skill of the tea maker. Because the leafhoppers (Jacobiasca formosana) must "bite" the leaves to trigger the plant's defense mechanism—releasing the terpenes that taste like honey—the garden must remain a pristine, chemical-free ecosystem. Read our deep dive article on Oriental Beauty tea.
 
Brewing Tips from Master Xu:
To do this tea justice, we recommend using a white porcelain vessel rather than clay, as porcelain won't absorb the delicate honey volatiles.
Warm the vessel: Rinse your pot or gaiwan with hot water first.
The "Moistening" Pour: Add 5g of leaves to a 120-150ml vessel and fill only one-third of the vessel with 85-90°C water. Let the leaves "wake up" and expand for 10 seconds before filling the rest of the pot.
Steep: 1st infusion 20-30 seconds; subsequent infusions 10-15 seconds.
No Lid: If you have a high-quality, bud-heavy harvest like this one, try leaving the lid off during the steep to prevent the tender white tips from "stifling".
 
Enjoy :)