Darjeeling is not the first thing that comes to mind when you hear oolong, and even less so for GABA oolong. This is one of the rare crafts to come out of these hills. This tea is the result of an experiment by our tea master Sonam. He explains that so much depends on the season and the weather, on what the leaves will allow you to make in any given year. This year the sun was generous, and the conditions were excellent, and it became possible to attempt something like this. It was made from seed-grown Assamica bushes, which produce longer, thicker leaves than the clonal plants behind most tea from these hills. You can see a dense covering of fuzzy hairs across them, which is part of why the tea looks the way it does and carries so much flavor. The sweetness is intense, with a sweet pungency behind it. It holds up to both gongfu and western brewing, and you can push it toward a bolder, stronger cup if that is what you are after. GABA is short for gamma-aminobutyric acid, a molecule that forms naturally in the leaf during the anaerobic processing this style is named after. It is also a neurotransmitter that occurs naturally in the human body and is known for its calming effect on the nervous system. A single experimental micro-batch from one unusually good summer. When it is gone, there might not be another like it. Sensory Profile Leaf: Golden-brown, caramelized in appearance, with warm and rich tones. Aroma: Sweet apple and honey. Date and grape molasses, warm and full. Pour: Warm tones of orange and gold, resembling forest honey. Palate: Date molasses, candied apple, caramelized milk. Mouthfeel: Creamy, with a long and lingering sweet finish. Technical Specifications Origin Darjeeling Hills Altitude ~1,700 m Harvest Summer 2026 (Second Flush) Processing GABA Oolong Rarity Limited Micro-Batch Brewing Suggestion Temperature 90°C Water 150 ml Leaves 2.5 g Steeping Times 2 min │ 1 min │ 2 min Infusions At least 3 times Cold Brew: 1g tea leaves per 100ml water (room temperature), stir gently to prewet all leaves, and refrigerate for 8–12 hours. last updated: August 2026
