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Alishan High Mountain

阿里山, Ali Shan

7.9/10 editor's score

Lightly oxidised high-mountain oolong from Alishan in Chiayi, grown above 1,000 metres. Sweet, fresh and floral, with very little bitterness.

High mountainFloralCreamy
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Alishan High Mountain, top-down

What you need

3 g leafAlishan High Mountain
250 ml water90 to 95°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorPale gold-green
Served inGaiwan and small cups

At a glance

Lightly oxidised high-mountain oolong from Alishan in Chiayi, grown above 1,000 metres.

CaffeineMedium~25 to 45 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit8.5 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestSpring (mid-year) and winter (late October)Spring gaoshan, harvested by mid-June [1].
Pairs withSteamed fish, Fruit, Light cheese, Butter biscuitsLess good with smoky meats
Grown atAbove 1,000 mAlishan, Chiayi, Chiayi County
Served inGaiwan and small cupsGongfu style, many short steeps

About Alishan High Mountain

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe high-mountain teas as tender, green and sweet, with high freshness and low bitterness, sometimes with a chestnut note 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

Alishan, ChiayiChiayi CountyTAIWAN
Region
Alishan range, Chiayi County 1
Elevation
Above 1,000 m 1
Picks
Spring and winter harvests 1
Style
Low oxidation, light roast (qingxiang) 2

More from Alishan, Chiayi and Taiwan.

History and culture

High-mountain oolongs are now the most popular oolongs in Taiwan 2.

Editor's score

7.9/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 8.5Origin & heritage: 8.0Availability: 7.5Value: 7.0Beginner-friendliness: 8.5Versatility: 7.5Flavour 8.5Heritage 8.0Availability 7.5Value 7.0Beginners 8.5Versatility 7.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Alishan High Mountain~25 to 45 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

High-mountain tea is picked twice a year 1. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Mainly Qingxin oolong, plus Jin Xuan at some farms 2.

How it is made
01Plucking

By hand 1.

02Withering

Spread out to develop aroma 1.

03Oxidation

Light.

04Rolling

Rolled into tight balls.

05Drying

Light finish.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafTight, bright jade-green balls.
LiquorPale gold-green.
After steeping
Wet leafLarge, glossy green leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Steamed fish
  • Fruit
  • Light cheese
  • Butter biscuits

Best avoided

  • Smoky meats

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

Graded by altitude, season and estate rather than formal grades.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Real Alishan costs more: cheap "high mountain" may be from lower slopes.
  2. Winter picks are often more aromatic.
FAQ
What makes it "high mountain"?

It grows above 1,000 metres in central Taiwan 1.

Find it inOolong teasTeas from TaiwanAlishan, ChiayiHigh mountainFloralCreamy

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "High-mountain tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-mountain_tea
  2. Wikipedia, "Taiwanese tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwanese_tea
  3. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.