Osmanthus Oolong Tea: Taste, Brewing and Gifting
- Osmanthus oolong is oolong scented with osmanthus flowers, so the tea carries a soft, apricot-like floral note on top of the oolong's own flavour.
- TEAGRAPHY scents freshly picked osmanthus into charcoal-roasted Alishan Jin Xuan, pairing the flower's aroma with the oolong's rounded throat feel.
- The Osmanthus Oolong comes in 3 g sachets, seven to a box, and the tea is tagged as suitable for cold brewing.
- The Sun and Moon Imprints Gift Box pairs 50 g of Jin Xuan Oolong with seven Osmanthus Oolong sachets; both are also sold separately.
- The gift box was selected as one of the Top 10 Drink Gifts in the 2025 Domestic Tea and Coffee Gift Awards, held under the guidance of Taiwan's Agriculture and Food Agency.
Osmanthus oolong tea is oolong scented with osmanthus flowers, giving a warm, sweet floral aroma on top of the oolong's own flavour. TEAGRAPHY makes its Osmanthus Oolong by scenting freshly picked osmanthus into charcoal-roasted Alishan Jin Xuan oolong.
Many flavoured teas taste perfumed and flat after the first sip. A well-made scented oolong should be different: the flower sits on top, and the tea underneath still has body and a lasting finish. Here is how to recognise it, brew it and share it.
Why do some floral teas disappoint?
Floral teas often rely on added flavourings, which fade quickly and can leave a synthetic edge. Others use a thin base tea, so once the aroma fades there is little left. The difference comes down to two things: real flowers and a good tea underneath.
What is osmanthus oolong?
Osmanthus is a small, golden autumn blossom with a honeyed, apricot-like scent. In scented tea, the flowers are brought together with the tea leaves so the leaves absorb their fragrance.
TEAGRAPHY's approach
According to the Sun and Moon Imprints Gift Box page, TEAGRAPHY's Osmanthus Oolong uses freshly picked osmanthus scented into charcoal-roasted Alishan Jin Xuan. The aim is balance: the elegance of osmanthus together with the rounded throat feel of oolong.
Why Jin Xuan makes a good base
- Natural milky sweetness: Jin Xuan, formally Taiwan Tea No. 12, is known for natural milky notes and sweet corn.
- A note that changes with temperature: the milk-candy note peaks while the tea is still warm, which layers nicely with osmanthus.
- Charcoal roasting: TEAGRAPHY roasts over longan wood charcoal, which adds warmth and a clean, lingering finish.
What you taste in the cup
First comes the soft floral lift of osmanthus, then the smooth, slightly creamy body of Jin Xuan, and finally a gentle sweetness that stays after you swallow.
How to brew osmanthus oolong
Hot
- Warm your cup or small teapot.
- Add one 3 g sachet and pour freshly boiled water.
- Steep for a couple of minutes, tasting as you go.
- Pour off the tea while the floral aroma is at its fullest, then steep again.
Cold brew
The tea is tagged for cold brewing. Put a sachet straight into cold water, refrigerate for several hours and pour. Cold brewing draws out sweetness and keeps astringency low. Our cold brew oolong guide has more detail.
Osmanthus Oolong vs plain Jin Xuan
| Osmanthus Oolong | Jin Xuan Oolong | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 3 g sachets, 7 per box | 50 g pack |
| Aroma | Osmanthus florals over Jin Xuan | Natural milky notes and sweet corn |
| Best for | Quick cups, cold brew, travel | Teapot brewing and several infusions |
| Mood | Fragrant and uplifting | Soft, creamy and comforting |
Drinking them side by side is a simple way to taste exactly what the osmanthus adds.
When to reach for osmanthus oolong
- Afternoon break: the floral aroma feels like a small treat.
- With desserts: it suits pastries, fruit and lightly sweet cakes.
- Summer: a jug of cold brew in the fridge.
- Gifting: the Sun and Moon Imprints Gift Box pairs 50 g of Jin Xuan with seven Osmanthus Oolong sachets.
A gift with recognition
The gift box was selected for the 2025 Domestic Tea and Coffee Gift Awards, held under the guidance of the Agriculture and Food Agency, MOA, as one of the Top 10 Drink Gifts. The tea is Taiwanese whole leaf, grown and packed at source, and has passed the SGS 488-item pesticide residue test.
Taste osmanthus oolong from Nantou
If you love floral tea but want real depth beneath the fragrance, osmanthus on charcoal-roasted Jin Xuan is a good place to start. Choose the full gift set, the Jin Xuan pack or the Osmanthus Oolong sachets on the Sun and Moon Imprints Gift Box page, or explore other gift ideas in our Taiwanese tea gift guide.
