Hong Oolong or 'Red Oolong' is somewhat hybrid between black (red) tea and Oolong. Gowng by Mr Aarong and his family in Luyeh, Taitong. They are one of Taiwan's East Coast natural tea farmer pioneers.
I used to be their helper and I learned a lot about tea processing from them.
 
Taitong County has one of lowest population density in Taiwan and it has basically no heavy industry. Surrounded by high mountains and the pacific ocean there is minimal pollution and it makes Luye not only a great place to live but also a great place to grow tea.
Downside is low elevation (just around 300m above ocean) which can be noticed on weaker potency compare to other higher elevation teas, but there are still many qualities to this tea.
 
Mr. Aarong and his family care deeply about environment protection. They apply a completely natural way to their field. They don't use pesticides, not even apply organic fertilizers.. This makes new leaves grow slowly and batches are small but every leaf counts.
 
They grow shading trees which helps to keep healthy and rich ecosystem at the field. They offer refuge to many spiders, birds and many other big insect predators. 
Tea bug Jacobiasca Formosana (same like the one in Eastern Beauty tea) is also widely present here and tea was bitten heavily on this field.
 
Although this is still an Oolong it went through almost full oxidation around 80-90 percent. It has a malty, chocolate aroma and very pleasant calming effect also for people over sensitive to caffeine.
 
 
Cultivar: DaYeh Oolong (大葉烏龍)
HandPicked on March 21, 2021
long oxidation, electric roasted