While the best oolongs of Taiwan are harvested in the winter and spring, the summer harvests of Formosa Oolong are also very noteworthy. In the west, the names given to this tea are many; Bai Hao Oolong, Dong Fang Mei Ren, or Oriental Beauty, and Formosa Oolong. Another type of Formosa Oolong is Gui Fei Mei Ren.

The Gui Fei is a summer tea that depends a on seasonal tea bug which transfers flower pollen to the tea leaves adding a honey flavor. Gui Fei is rolled into balls. Its production method of rolling and baking the tea leaf leaves little kernels of tea that burst open, more similar to an oolong.

Gui Fei Mei Ren Jin Xuan Varietal (tightly rolled) This tea is from Nantou County, Lugu Township. In 1999, following a devastating earthquake in this area, many of the tea farmers in the area used an excessive amount of nitrogenous fertilizer which in turn attracted many of the aphid type leaf hoppers. The Flavor of this tea depends on the transfer of pollen from nearby flowers to the tea leaves, giving the tea its unusually sweet flavor. Gui Fei Mei Ren is named after one of China's four famous beauties, Yang Gui Fei. She represents a sexy juicy version of beauty due to her plump nature. Gui Fei is a title given to a king’s favorite wife just after the queen, indicating a second tier wife position. Yang Gui Fei lived in the Tang dynasty and was the wife of Tang Ming Huang. There are many stories about Gui Fei. For instance, it is said that she bathed in milk. She was one of the king's favorite wives. Her favorite fruit was Li Zhi, a fruit that grows in the south of China. Gui Fei lived in central China. The king assigned the fastest horse to transport his beloved wives ‘favorite fruit so that it would not spoil before it arrived. Eventually she brought great turmoil to the kingdom because she has a boyfriend An Lu Shan who was jealous of her relationship with the king. Lu Shan, took it upon himself to kill the king, although he never succeeded. Another name for this tea is "Noble Concubine".   1/16 pound (1 ounce) $8   1/4 pound (4 ounces) $30   1/2 pound (8 ounces) $59   1 pound (16 ounces) $118

Gui Fei Mei Ren Yen Cha (tightly rolled)   1/16 pound (1 ounce) $10   1/4 pound (4 ounces) $40   1/2 pound (8 ounces) $79   1 pound (16 ounces) $158

Formosa Oolong (Choice Grade) This oolong tea has many other names. Dong Fang Mei Ren tea; Dōngfāng Meǐrén chá), Oriental Beauty or Bai Hao Oolong tea, Pong Hong te and Silver tip Oolong to name a few. This Formosa Oolong (Choice Grade) was produced in Xin Zhu (Hsinchu) County's Bei Pu in Taiwan. The name Oriental Beauty is said to come from Queen Elizabeth I of England who reportedly remarked, "What an Oriental Beauty?" upon first tasting the tea.  It is a summer harvest tea that has a very strong honey taste. This is a heavily oxidized tippy oolong tea leaf that is picked by hand, using only the young freshly grown tea leaves and is grown without the use of pesticides. When brewed the result is a reddish liquor that is especially sweet and intoxicating.  Best brewed at 180 degrees Fahrenheit Can be rebrewed for several infusions.   1/16 pound (1 ounce) $12   1/4 pound (4 ounces) $48   1/2 pound (8 ounces) $96   1 pound (16 ounces) $192

Formosa Oolong (Top Grade) Beautiful Bai Hao Leaf brings a sweet spicy aroma. Its liquor is velvety soft in texture; tangy lemon, sage after finish, left with mint coolness.   1/16 pound (1 ounce) $19   1/4 pound (4 ounces) $75