Qingxin Oolong and JinXuan rank as the number one and number two most produced tea varieties in Taiwan, respectively. As the two most popular Taiwanese tea varieties, what sets Qingxin Oolong and JinXuan apart? Let’s dive in and take a look!
What is the difference between Qingxin Oolong and JinXuan?
| Qingxin Oolong | JinXuan | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Brought to Taiwan by immigrants from Fujian and selectively bred by farmers. | A new variety officially developed by Taiwan’s agricultural authorities. |
| Flavor | Rich body, delicate, with a strong sweet aftertaste. Can exhibit orchid and osmanthus notes. | Light, uplifting aroma with milky and floral-green notes. |
| Yield | Lower yield per unit, relatively weak overall tree vigor, harvested 4–5 times a year. | Vigorous tree growth, high yield, can be harvested up to 7 times a year. |
| Suitable Tea Types | Baozhong tea, Oolong tea, lightly fermented high-mountain Oolong, white tea, Oriental Beauty tea. | Baozhong tea, Oolong tea, lightly fermented high-mountain tea, Honey Black Tea. |
| Growing Regions | New Taipei, Taoyuan, Yilan, Hsinchu, Nantou, Taichung, Yunlin, Chiayi—cultivated across all major tea regions in Taiwan. Medium and low altitudes account for over 60% of the total area, while altitudes above 1,000 meters account for over 90%, with higher altitudes representing a larger share. | Concentrated in medium and low altitudes, with New Taipei, Nantou, and Chiayi being the largest producing regions, accounting for 20% of the total area. |
| Price Range | NT$800–1,600 per 600 g at medium and low altitudes; NT$1,500–6,000 at high altitudes. | NT$600–1,600 per 600 g. |
With its rich body, Qingxin Oolong, and its light, uplifting aroma, JinXuan, both tea varieties are masterpieces representing Taiwanese tea. Among the three images above, two are Qingxin Oolong and one is JinXuan—can you tell the difference?