Volcanic Picrite GABA Oolong Tea 2026, 50g | Tengchong, Yunnan

A GABA oolong named Volcanic Picrite (苦橄岩), after the magnesium-rich volcanic rock, a fitting name for a tea 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.

This is the warm, deep end of the GABA spectrum. The aroma is warm and rounded, with baked notes, light fruit sweetness and a clear mineral depth. The cup is layered and generous: bread crust, nut crust and warm wood meet apricot, berries and dried fruits, with caramel, honey, cocoa, vanilla and a touch of light spice running underneath. Rich without ever turning heavy.

The liquor is deep amber-gold, silky and smooth, coating the mouth with its baked, fruit-sweet character and mineral backbone. Across infusions it holds steady, the notes softening and rounding as the session goes on, and it rewards both quick gongfu steeps and a relaxed Western pot.

A warm, complex oolong for anyone curious about GABA tea, and a satisfying one for experienced drinkers who want depth, baked sweetness and dried fruit without bitterness. The high-altitude volcanic terroir of Tengchong gives it a clean, mineral-edged character that lives up to its name.

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.