What is JinXuan Tea? Black Tea, Green Tea, or Oolong Tea?

A common question tea lovers often have when buying JinXuan tea is: “Is JinXuan black tea, green tea, or oolong tea?” In fact, this question isn’t quite accurate. JinXuan doesn’t refer to a specific tea-making method, but rather a tea tree variety known as TTES No. 12. JinXuan tea can be processed into black tea, green tea, or oolong tea, and is not limited to just one type of tea.

What is JinXuan Tea?

JinXuan is a tea tree variety bred by the Tea Research and Extension Station (TRES) in Taiwan. It features a wonderful aroma and high yield, yielding a light fragrance and unique taste after processing. Through different processing methods, it can be made into various types of tea. Currently, it is most commonly used to make Pouchong tea and oolong tea, while some also use it to produce black tea, Oriental Beauty tea, and white tea.

Is JinXuan Actually Black Tea, Green Tea, or Oolong Tea?

First, it helps to understand the difference between a “variety” and “processing craft.” Take apples for example: a Fuji apple is the “variety,” and harvested Fuji apples can be used to make jam, dried apples, juice, etc.—these represent the “processing craft.” JinXuan tea is the “variety,” and it can be crafted into black tea, green tea, or oolong tea through different “processing methods.” Explaining it this way makes the distinction between variety and craft easy to understand.

Is JinXuan an Oolong Tea? Not necessarily!

In Taiwan, over 80% of JinXuan tea is processed into lightly fermented oolong tea, showcasing a rich milky aroma and a smooth mouthfeel. However, this doesn’t mean JinXuan can only be oolong tea; it can equally be made into black tea or green tea through different crafting techniques.