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Oolong tea · Hong Wulong

Taitung Red Oolong

紅烏龍, Hong Wulong, honey red oolong

6.7/10 editor's score

A new Taiwanese oolong, oxidised 80 to 90 percent, developed by the Taitung branch of Taiwan's tea research station. It was first made in Luye and went on sale after 2008.

HoneyTaiwanOolong

↓ Jump to brew guide About this tea Compare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Taitung Red Oolong, top-down

What you need

250 ml water90 to 95°C

Steep 1:003 steeps

LiquorOrange-red

Served inGaiwan and small cups

At a glance

A new Taiwanese oolong, oxidised 80 to 90 percent, developed by the Taitung branch of Taiwan's tea research station.

CaffeineMedium~30 to 50 mg, our estimate

Beginner fit7.5 / 10From the editor's score

HarvestSummer and autumnLeaf picked [1].

Pairs withFruit tarts, Cheese, NutsLess good with very spicy food

Grown atLow to mid elevationLuye, Taitung, Taitung County

Served inGaiwan and small cupsGongfu style, many short steeps

About Taitung Red Oolong

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe a light, elegant honey aroma with a sweetness and natural floral notes 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

Oxidation: 80 to 90% ¹
Developed: Taitung branch, tea research station ¹
First made: Luye, Taitung ¹
On sale: After 2008 ¹

History and culture

The Fulu tea area of Taitung began growing small amounts of tea in the 1960s ¹.

The tea station created red oolong to revive the area after sales fell from 1996 ¹.

Editor's score

6.7/10

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 →

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

Taitung Red Oolong~30 to 50 mg

Green tea (average)~28 mg

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

Harvest calendar

Picked in summer and autumn ¹. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Mainly large-leaf oolong cultivars ¹.

Whole shoots are used, so it can be machine-picked ¹.

How it is made

01Withering

Softened.

02Oxidation

80 to 90%, borrowed from black tea making ¹.

03Kill-green

Pan-fired, like oolong ¹.

04Rolling

Rolled.

05Drying

Dried.

Dry leaf and liquor

LiquorOrange-red ¹.

After steeping

Wet leafReddish leaves.

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

Food pairings and storage

Works well

Fruit tarts
Cheese
Nuts

Best avoided

Very spicy food

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 season and roast.

How to spot a poor or fake one

Our main source is Chinese Wikipedia.
Look for Taitung origin.

FAQ

Is red oolong a black tea?

No. It borrows black tea style oxidation but keeps oolong pan-firing ¹.

Find it inOolong teas Teas from Taiwan Luye, TaitungHoneyTaiwanOolong

Sources

Chinese Wikipedia, "紅烏龍" (Red oolong). zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%B4%85%E7%83%8F%E9%BE%8D
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.