Li Shan

Perhaps a perfectly balanced Taiwanese green oolong, this Li Shan shares the clean and fruity top notes of refined high-mountain oolongs as well as richer base notes of more oxidized examples. Presumably pure coincidence, pear matches the flavor profile as well as the provenance, along with a bouquet of tropical fruit, the vegetality of bok choi and banana leaf, a mild butteriness, and even a hint of curry with a stronger infusion. Pulled between sweet and savory, clean and rich, fruit and vegetable, this tea manages the difficult act of being everything without compromise.