Alisan is one of the best oolong teas grown high in the mountains of central Taiwan and Gong Cha’s use of this tea is easily the reason why it’s my favourite chain of its kind. This Gong Cha Wintermelon Alisan Tea ($5.00 for regular, +$0.60 for pearls, with less sugar) blends it with another favourite: wintermelon tea.

The tea is a cloudy deep red amber colour with a sweet roasted aroma. Served chilled, the characteristic nutty sweetness of wintermelon came through ahead of fragrant and toasty notes of oolong. It’s quite an oxidised oolong, making its prominent flavour – without dominating the wintermelon – very enjoyable with a moderate astringency in the finish that lingered briefly.

Wintermelon Alisan Tea was purchased at Gong Cha in Sydney, Australia during May 2018.