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Organic Japanese "Miyazaki" Oolong

Oolong · Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan

Organic Japanese "Miyazaki" Oolong

$31.00 USD

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Tasting notes

About these tasting notes

These are the tasting notes we and others pick up most often. Palates vary, so you may catch some, all, or different ones — flavor is personal and subjective. Nothing is added: there are no added flavorings in this tea. Any notes you find developed naturally in the tea plant through rediscovered artisanal processing techniques.

Honey

Peach

Honeysuckle

Buttermilk

Mineral Water

Effects

About these effects

These are the effects people most often report from this tea. Bodies differ, so treat them as a common guide rather than a promise — most people notice at least one, but what you feel is personal.

Soothing Energy

Alertness

Relaxation

Oolong - less than 1% of Japanese Teas

Nestled on the western end of Japan’s island chain lies Kyushu—a scenic, mountainous region home to picturesque villages and idyllic tea farms. Harvested in Miyazaki, this single-origin tea is crafted from Minamisayaka, (みなみさやか,南爽) an exceptionally rare Japanese tea cultivar. True to its name—which translates to "Southern Freshness"—it offers a uniquely crisp, vibrant flavor profile signature to its southern terroir. Typically Japan is known for green teas as that makes up most of the domestic and export market. Less than 1% of tea made in Japan is processed into oolong tea. An even smaller percentage makes it way to International or Western markets, making this a unique and rare offering.

Priced per 30g bag in its original Japanese packaging from the tea farm (see photos).

Notes from Staff: a great dessert tea, or perfectly paired with lovely afternoon entertaining guests, I love this one with a piece of cake or an early afternoon treat. The interesting qualities of Japanese tea are really on full display with this oolong, as the beautiful fresh flavors have a hint of umami, rich, mineral, which make this tea a beautiful, layered, and complex oolong.

Japanese oolong vs. Georgian oolong: curious how a Japanese oolong compares with one from the other side of the world? Try it side by side with our Georgian "Flower Garden" Oolong, a green, strip-rolled oolong made from the Kolkhida cultivar in western Georgia, the most northern tea-growing region on earth. To us the Georgian tea is more floral, while this Miyazaki is more fruity with a buttermilk note and strong mineral hints. Judge it for yourself!

Old Mountain Tea Guarantee

Our teas are guaranteed free from harmful chemicals. We source directly from small, clean family farms that take real pride in their work — no middlemen, no anonymous blends. Many of these teas are bug-bitten, and leafhoppers only feed on gardens grown without pesticides, so the leaf itself is living proof the garden is clean. Most of our teas are certified organic (USDA & EU), and every tea is traceable to the farm that made it.

Read our full guarantee →

Japanese Oolong, Rare TeaOrganic FarmsSmall Batch ProductionHand-harvested & ProcessedNo Added Flavors or Preservatives — Ever!Secure Checkout30-day Returns

Certified Organic — USDA & EU

Not sure yet? Try a Discovery Set

Origin & Terroir

Cultivar About this cultivar Minamisayaka (Cultivar #42) Bred in 1970 by the Miyazaki Agricultural Research Institute and officially registered in 1991, this distinctive Japanese variety was created by pairing Miya A-6 with NN27. Though occasionally listed as #40, it is formally designated Cultivar #42 in official registry records. Revered for its sweet, clean liquor and an extraordinary floral-milky bouquet reminiscent of gardenia and jasmine, this versatile leaf—originally intended for sencha—has become a prized selection for pan-roasted kamairicha, Japanese black tea (wakocha), and Taiwanese-style lightly oxidized oolongs.: Minamisayaka(みなみさやか) (literally "southern freshness")
Status: Rare
Processing method: Lightly oxidized
Charcoal roast level: 0%

Region: Gokase Mountains, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu Island, Japan
Harvest: Summer 2025(Organic)
Elevation: 860 meters
Climate: Cool, Sunny, Mountanious
Oxidation level What oxidation level means Oxidation is what turns green tea into oolong or black tea — as leaves are bruised and rested, enzymes react with oxygen and deepen their color and flavor. Green tea sees almost none; oolong ranges widely; black tea is oxidized fully.: (25% · Medium)
Picking style Why picking style matters Machine harvesting trims a whole flush of tender new shoots in a single pass using shears or a harvester — far faster and more affordable than plucking by hand. It suits gardens where pickers are scarce, and careful sorting after harvest keeps the finished leaf consistent.: Machine Harvested
Bug-bitten level: 0%