GABA Pickled apple, Ji Bian factory, AAA, 2025

Ji Bian is a Yunnan tea factory, famous primarily for its oolongs, but they also produce good green and even white teas made from oolong tea. GABA oolong is another experiment, the results of which reveal familiar flavor notes.

Appearance

Small green-amber leaf nodules with stalks emit a sparkling aroma of apple jam, cranberry, blueberry, and a slight hint of passion fruit. As the tea warms, the sweet apple flavor intensifies.

Taste and aroma

The infusion is golden, with a confectionary-like sweet-and-sour aroma of biscuit and wild berries. The taste is smooth and crisp, sweet and sour, with vivid notes of apple juice, pickled apples, cranberries, and coconut cookies. A characteristic high-mountain milkiness is noticeable. It leaves a lingering floral aftertaste.

Effect

The effect is gentle but distinct. The tea relaxes and immerses you in slow contemplation. High-quality and vibrant, with rich and unexpectedly familiar flavors, this Yunnan GABA oolong is on par with its Taiwanese counterparts.

How to brew

Steaming

• Teaware: porcelain or clay teapot / gaiwan
• Water: 85-90°C
• Ratio of dry tea leaves: 4-5 g. per 100 ml water

Brew in short infusions of 10-30 seconds, gradually increasing the time by 5-10 seconds.
The flavor remains consistent over 5-6 infusions.

Infusion method

• Teaware: porcelain or clay teapot
• Water: 85-90°C
• Ratio of dry tea leaves: 5 g. per 250-300 ml of water

Infuse for 3-4 minutes.