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Milk Oolong: The Truth Behind the Name

Jin Xuan (TRES No. 12) is a Taiwanese oolong cultivar bred in the 1980s that naturally produces a creamy, buttery, almost milky aroma from the compound methyl salicylate and a unique terpene profile. The authentic variety has this flavour without additives. Beware of cheap 'milk oolong' that is artificially flavoured with dairy-derived compounds — it tastes very different, often overly sweet and artificial. Genuine Jin Xuan is typically available as a high mountain oolong from Alishan or Lishan.

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