★★★★★
Warm, nutty, complex. This is my favorite oolong tea so far!
Green oolong tea from Ali Shan, one of Taiwan's most famous tea growing areas. Beautiful high mountain oolongs come from its misty peaks. Warm sugar and deeply layered floral aromas, with a melting, creamy mouthfeel. Mellow and light-bodied.
Customers use these reviews to describe their experience with Ali Shan, including flavor, aroma, preparation preferences, strength, and how the tea fits into daily routines. Browse the full review history page by page to compare tasting notes, steeping tips, and favorite ways to enjoy this tea.
Warm, nutty, complex. This is my favorite oolong tea so far!
Just when you think you've had a perfect cup of tea, along comes Ali Shan. Mind shattering complexity and an aroma and taste that will linger with you quite some time. Grassy, honey, butter, fresh flowers but not overkill. Every sip and taste changes and this is just a phenomenal tea to savor. What's price when you have a tea of this caliber? Just get some. You'll be glad you did.
I wouldn't say it's the best Ali Shan I've had, but it's great anyway.
This tea was simply mind blowing, and easily holds it own against the best I've tasted. It has a strong orchid scent and flavor that holds strong for at least 2-3 cups. I've had several other types of oolong tea with similarly rich bouquet, but never found one that holds its character so well with multiple infusions without getting leafy tasting or weak in flavor. This is a must-buy for me in the future.
Oh, key to brewing...I heat the water to 180 but it drops to 175 due to the ceramic mug and strainer being at room temperture. I suspect higher temps might result in less flavorful infusions after the first. 2 min first steep, 2.5min second steep, 3 minute third steep
It's the liquid butter! How can something that's not bad for you taste like butter?!
A very green oolong with very light flavor. Be sure to brew with hot (190 ) water and leave room for leaf expansion, but expect a light, green tea with subtle/weak flavor. Good for several steepings
Smooth, creamy, and mellow. It's a nice afternoon tea and good with a touch of honey.
Great tea with cereal overtones. It reminds me of the milk left in the bow of cereal. Especially when sweetened...
Excellent! This was a wonderful cup - despite the price! I'm going to purchase it again, and probably mix it with a darjeeling, as I've seen other people try. Exceptional taste and flavor.
A slightly floral and nutty oolong, but missing the grassy notes I prefer.
Very smooth and light. Not as earthy as many Oolongs. Really liked it.
Definitely a smooth drinking tea. although not sure it lived up to its promise. It should be noted that I prefer a deeper, smokier oolong taste.
A decent lightly oxidized oolong, but I've found it goes quite astringent quite quickly, even with short brewing time and cooler water. It didn't improve on multiple brewings either, resulting in vague floral notes and overpowering astringency each time. I'm nearly at the end of my sample pack and I still can't find many good things to say about this tea.
I like it. I have over-steeped a couple of times and the flavor is still good.
Amazing! I like to enjoy it in a glass mug so that I can enjoy the lovely color. Seems to warm the soul. Withstands numerous re-brews.
I LOVE this oolong tea. It compares to teavana's monkey picked oolong and was less pricey. I will be ordering this tea again.
I really enjoyed how this rolled tea unfurled as it steeped. such a fun presentation. That said, I didn't find it particularly special in terms of flavor. Just kind of a standard green tea. I doubt I'll buy more of this one.
A nicely flavored tea. Light subtly sweet and flowery. I might even try this iced in the summer.
I was not super impressed with this tea. It was pleasant but not outstanding.
It is smooth and fragrant. It has a mild flavor though. Brewed correctly you will not detect a hint of bitterness. Brewed incorrectly and the bitterness will overwhelm the tea. Save this tea for the weekend when you have time to sit down and make it right.
Cultivated cloud walking in a cup! This is one of the finest oolongs I've had the pleasure of crossing my palette. It has a beautiful creamy mouthfeel with hints of butter. This is overlaid by haunting hoppy like citrus/floral notes that penetrate with a dry astringency that leaves a excellent aftertaste. I find the second and third steepings the best. I'll have to pony up and buy more than a sample next time.
This tea happens to be my husband's very favorite. What I love about it is you can steep the already used leaves at least 2 or 3 times and still get good flavor.
This is a very nice delicate, light oolong. It has a bit of a honey quality to it, although it smells somewhat like cooked spinach...in a good way. If I had to describe its flavor in just two words, those words would be 'sweet greens.'
I enjoyed this tea, but I don't think I'll invest in any more given the price.
Expensive tea but worth it. Something for a special occasion. You get more for your money when buying loose leaf vs. the sachets.
Excellent taste but too expensive for everyday use
I had high hopes for this one, considering the other reviews. But I think it's just too floral for my tastes.
Instead of grassy, it actually tastes rich and full.
Ali Shan has a delicious rich golden green color, liquor and flavor. It's headier than the vegetal taste of Gyokuro without the bite of a darker oolong. I like a tea to be oolong but I enjoy the light oolongs like 20 and 30 percent.
Okay, admittedly after trying the tieguanyin here and the jade oolong I was a little skeptical about green oolongs tasting like straight-up collard greens but this one is lovely. Definitely worth giving it a try.
Like this tea very much. Notes of fresh grass, artichoke, subtle sweetness.
I enjoyed this tea a lot. However, I think I liked the ti kuan yin just a little bit more. Since the ti kuan yin is less expensive, I will probably order that a bit more often. However, this is a wonderful, complex smooth tea.
This green tea is as good as the Formosa Pouchong! I love watching the tea leaves unfurl in my Ingenuitea, while brewing. I have also been able to have a second cup from this wonderful tea.
A classic oolong. I'd recommend this for someone just getting into tea.
A very smooth oolong, that is worth it for the multiple brews alone.
A lovely example of a straight forward oolong and the Pearls are charming.
I rate it 'good' because of its price point. I haven't tried many oolong teas, this one reminded me a lot of a green tea called 'dragonwell' which is considerably cheaper. This tea steeps well a second time.
I've enjoyed all of Adagio's oolongs so far, and Ali Shan is no exception. Good for multiple steepings, it reminds me quite a bit of sencha, with a nice grassy aroma that's not overpowering. The delicate flavor intensifies as the leaves unfurl a little bit more during each steeping.
this tea has great depth, I can steep it multiple times and get a different flavor each time the first 4 times or so. Unique and delicious flavor.
I did not care for this. It just did not have much flavor.
Full flavor comes through after it cools down a bit. Luscious buttery and citrus notes.
a good basic ali shan, though I prefer the formosa in the masters collection
A great tasting oolong. After reading some reviews I brewed it at 180 for 2 minutes and the result was a mellow, fruity, slightly floral delicious oolong tea.
I just love this tea. Its smooth and buttery just as the description says. Its definitely a pleasant tea and high quality.
I am such a huge fan of oolong! This one is so good! just right! So good!
I was deceived by the extremely pale colour of the tea when brewed, but oh my goodness the flavour is utterly amazing on this tea. So smooth and delicious, even on the third steeping. Expensive? Yes. But so very, very worth every dollar you're spending.
I did not like this tea. It tasted rather... bitter. Although my friend liked it, so maybe my taste buds are all wrong. Whatever. It was nasty, and I don't recommend it.
This is now one of my 'go to' teas that I'll be sure to reorder.
This is what I expect from an oolong. Nice complex flavor, but not overpowering.
Everything about this tea is great - and I have to admit, even the price fits. For the first brew, I gave it a 3 second rinse at 195 degrees. Every time I raise the cup I think I am going to put a name to the smell, but it is just not coming. Can a tea be a broth? (Of course that's silly, but then again...) I'm usually happiest when a tea smells, tastes and looks like tea... not smoke, not vitamins - just tea. Ali Shan has my permission to show me new worlds!