Yilan Chinshin Oolong Spring Competition 3rd Prize｜【2026春新茶】宜蘭茶コンテスト頭等奨の青心烏龍

Dongshan, Yilan – Chin-Shin-Oolong｜2026 Spring First Prize Award
In Yilan County, tea competitions are held twice each year—in spring and winter—with entries divided into two categories: Chin-Shin-Oolong and New Cultivars (improved varieties such as Taiwan Tea No. XX).
This lot was awarded the First Prize Award in the Chin-Shin-Oolong Category of the 2026 Spring Yilan Tea Competition. Our tea master secured this exceptional lot immediately after the results were announced, before other buyers entered the market. Although the quantity is limited, we invite you to experience one of the finest Yilan teas produced this year.
★ Official Competition-Sealed Gift Box (150 g)
This tea is presented in its original 150 g gift box with the official competition seal, issued by the organizers of the tea competition—the Yilan County Government and the Yilan County Tea Association—as a guarantee of its authenticity and quality.
The tea inside is identical to our 3 g, 30 g, and 50 g packages. However, the official sealed gift box serves as proof that the tea has been certified through the competition.
It is an excellent choice for gifts or collectors alike. Enjoy the outstanding quality of an award-winning competition tea together with the assurance provided by the official competition seal.
About Yilan Tea
Chin-Shin-Oolong is one of Taiwan's most representative tea cultivars and is widely used for producing high mountain oolong teas. When lightly oxidized, it is celebrated for its elegant orchid-like floral aroma.
Compared with Taiwan's high mountain tea regions, however, Yilan's tea-growing areas are located at lower elevations. Unlike many high mountain teas, Yilan tea is crafted primarily from the tea leaves rather than including the stems. As a result, its character emphasizes the rich umami, body, and depth of the leaves themselves rather than the lighter sweetness often contributed by stems.
Because Yilan is geographically close to the Pinglin area, its flavor profile resembles that of Wenshen Pouchong Tea, featuring a clean, delicate floral style. Historically, however, Yilan's location on Taiwan's east coast made transportation to other regions relatively difficult. To improve portability, local tea makers developed a processing technique that gently rolls the leaves into compact shapes.
As a result, Yilan tea has a distinctive appearance that falls between the long twisted leaves of Wenshen Pouchong Tea and the tightly rolled pellets typical of high mountain oolong. This unique shape is commonly known as the semi-ball style.
Locally, it is also nicknamed the "dried shrimp shape", as the rolled leaves resemble dried shrimp. This semi-ball shape combines the advantages of both styles: it withstands vacuum packaging better than strip-shaped teas while unfurling more quickly than tightly rolled ball-shaped teas, allowing for faster infusion. Although this appearance is relatively uncommon on the market, if you happen to encounter it, it is worth checking whether the tea comes from Yilan. It is, in fact, one of the distinctive characteristics of Yilan tea recognized by professional tea evaluators.


Aroma & Flavor: Jasmine, Sugarcane, Ginger Lily
Processing: Withering → Kill-Green → Rolling → Partial Drying → Ball Rolling (Compression Rolling) → Final Drying
Origin: Dongshan Township, Yilan County, Taiwan
Tea Garden: 花間茶語
Cultivar: Chin-Shin-Oolong
Elevation: Approximately 100 m
Oxidation: ★☆☆☆☆
Roasting: ★☆☆☆☆
Harvest Season: April


Brewing Guide (Hot)
Tea Leaves: 5 g
Water: 150 ml
Water Temperature: 98°C
Steeping Time
1st Infusion: 1 min 30 sec
2nd Infusion: 1 min 30 sec
3rd Infusion: 2 min


*For the best aromatic experience, we recommend using the traditional Taiwanese aroma cup and tasting cup set.


Cold Brew
Tea Leaves: 5 g
Water: 600 ml
Brewing Time: Refrigerate for 6–8 hours
Storage: After opening, store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. For the best flavor and aroma, consume as soon as possible after opening.