We are thrilled to be able to introduce a new Competition Tea to our growing roster of Competition Graded Teas; this one is from the famed high-mountain terroir of Alishan. Each year, around the end of May and early June, the Alishan Farmer's Association holds its annual tea competition focusing on teas produced during the just ended Spring tea making season. Another competition is also held just after the winter season. This numbered box from Lot 2310156 is a finalist grade of the spring competition reserved for teas produced from Qing Xin Oolong; the king of the mountain cultivar of Taiwan. In other words, the tea we are proposing has met the standards of the competition and qualified for the finals from which Championship teas would be selected. The competition requires teas to be lightly baked to meet the standard. This light-baking adds another challenge to the entrants; not only does the tea has to be of the best quality but the baking skill set must enhance the intrinsic quality of the material. The pastoral flower fragrance must remain and not be muddled by the baking. The mouth feel must be pleasant and mellow with a well-defined honey sweetness that caramelizes the flowery notes to more heady sensuous aromas. The liqueur develops a thicker feel that is so soothing making it a perfect afternoon tea. If you like a good Dong Ding and still like the aromatics of the greener high-mountain tea, this tea will bring the best of both worlds into one cup. This competition tea is priced attractively and sold as either a box of two 150g cannisters, or as a single canister of 150g. A 15g sample is also available if you wish to try it out before committing to a box.