Sapphire GABA Oolong Tea 2026, 50g | Tengchong, Yunnan

A GABA oolong named Sapphire (蓝宝石) after the precious blue gem, grown on the volcanic soils of Tengchong, Yunnan, at high altitude. It is produced through anaerobic (oxygen-free) processing, which naturally raises the leaf's GABA content and yields a remarkably smooth cup with no harshness. The fresh 2026 harvest, offered loose in 50 g packs.

Where our Lishan GABA Oolong leans toward ripe, cooked fruit, Sapphire is all about sweet fresh fruit: clear notes of nectarine, ripe peach and dates. The flowering is very pronounced yet hard to pin to a single bloom, more like the heady scent of a tropical flower in a Southeast Asian botanical garden or rainforest. Above all it is balanced and harmonious, which is no small thing when some GABA oolongs turn heavy and overpowering from the fermentation process.

The liquor is clear amber-gold, silky and smooth, coating the mouth with its fresh-fruit sweetness. It holds its fruit-and-flower character steadily across many infusions, the notes simply softening as the session goes on, and rewards both quick gongfu steeps and a relaxed Western pot.

A distinctive, beautifully balanced oolong for anyone curious about GABA tea, and a rewarding one for experienced drinkers who want fruit and florals without the heaviness GABA can bring. The high-altitude volcanic terroir of Tengchong gives it a clean, well-defined character.

Tea profile

📖 Brewing guide: Learn how to brew Chinese tea and gongfu cha properly to get the best flavour and aroma.

🍃 What is GABA tea? Learn how GABA tea is made and what makes its smooth, sweet character unique.