Darjeeling Ruby Oolong - Loose Leaf Oolong Tea

Origin: Darjeeling, India

Producer: Victoria’s Peak

Infusion Suggestion: 2.5 g tea/1 heaping Tbsp, 8oz water,195oF, 3 min

Certifications: USDA Organic

Caffeine: Medium

Tasting Notes: Rose Water, Cherry, Cocoa

Information: A rare red dark pearl oolong from Darjeeling, this glowing amber tea tastes of dark chocolate and cherries.

Known primarily for producing black teas, Ruby Oolong pushes the bar of Darjeeling production to the next level.  Processed in a traditional Taiwanese method, this red rolled oolong is soft, rich and warm – an elegant tea with a depth of floral flavor that extends into chocolate and cherry undertones. 

Taste: Just put several of the tenderly rolled oolongs into your hand and you’ll begin to taste the decadence of this unique tea. The soft dark pearls brew into a rich and aromatic cup that weaves a rosewater taste (consistent with the floral qualities of Darjeeling teas) among threads of dark cocoa and cherries.

Production: Oolong teas are distinguished from other teas by their processing style.  During the rolling stage, oolongs are compressed into tight balls, left to unfurl, and then rolled once again.  This process repeats itself until the desired taste is reached. The Chirimar family that makes the Ruby Oolong dedicated a portion of their garden to the highest quality of production in order to create this one-of-a-kind tea.

Mohan (far right), the mastermind behind Darjeeling Ruby Oolong, with Raj our founder

Region: Running along Nepal’s Eastern Border, the mountainous area of Darjeeling is a confluence of cultures - home to Tibetans, Nepalese and Indians alike. The name “Darjeeling” translates into “Land of the Rolling Thunder” in Tibetan.  Under colonialism, the mild mountain temperatures made Darjeeling a perfect retreat for British soldiers, with stunning views of Kangchenjunga from the hillsides, the world’s third highest peak.

Darjeeling’s high elevation means the tea leaves are smaller and slower to grow.  Therefore, producers in the area focused on defining the region by quality, and have built a tea tradition that fetch some of the highest prices in the world.

Growers: The Chirimar family has worked in tea over the years – both as tea tasters, brokers and garden owners.  They have dedicated themselves to bring the quality and craftsmanship of Darjeeling teas to the highest level.

Impact:  Through expanding the taste and quality of Indian teas, teas like Ruby Oolong set the stage for more experimentation among growers to challenge the uniform tastes that have dominated Indian tea production since it’s inception.