Nepali Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Black Yeti, Apricot & Honey
Stewed apricot · roasted barley · honey · plum · caramel. Smooth and layered. Re-steeps 2 to 3x.
Caffeine
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About This Tea
A rare autumn-harvest Nepali oolong with stewed apricot, roasted barley, and golden honey.
Quick Facts
- Origin: Ilam, Nepal · cool autumn highlands
- Type: Medium-oxidation oolong · whole leaf · single-origin
- Caffeine: Medium (~25–45 mg per 8 oz cup, about a third of coffee)
- Brew: 190–195°F · 3 minutes · re-steeps 2–3 times
- Certifications: Single-origin · direct-trade
- Specialty: Rare autumn-harvest oolong from Nepal's cool highlands
- Taste: Stewed apricot, roasted barley, golden honey, plum, caramel · smooth, layered, deep amber liquor
Hand-picked from Ilam's cool autumn highlands and finished by artisan tea makers during the season's crisp days and long cool nights, Black Yeti is one of Nepal's rare autumn-harvest oolongs. The cup pours a deep amber liquor with layered notes of stewed apricot, roasted barley, golden honey, plum, and caramel, a smooth, complex profile that develops across multiple steeps.
A natural fit for drinkers who enjoy roasted, fruit-forward oolongs and want something seasonal and rare. Where Annapurna Amber leads with caramel and marmalade and Ruby brings nectarine-stone-fruit honey, Black Yeti's autumn lot adds barley-roast depth and stewed-plum richness. Explore our Nepal oolong tea selection for the full Ilam lineup, from medium-oxidation darks to lighter golden oolongs and our oak-smoked Tihar.
A Rare Autumn-Harvest Oolong from the Ilam Highlands
Black Yeti is hand-picked from the cool autumn highlands of Ilam, Nepal, and finished by artisan tea makers during the season's crisp days and long cool nights. Those conditions slow the leaf and concentrate sugars, giving this single-origin Nepali oolong its signature barley-roast depth and stewed-fruit richness. To learn how the harvest season shapes flavor, see our guide to Nepalese tea flavors through the seasons.
ELEVATION
~7,500 ft (High-Mountain)
HARVEST
Autumn Flush
REGION
Ilam, Nepal
What Is an Autumn Oolong?
Autumn oolongs are prized for their depth. Picked in the cool, dry weeks before winter, the leaves develop concentrated sugars and a rounder, roastier character than spring or summer lots. Black Yeti is a medium-oxidation oolong, which means it is oxidized enough to build a deep amber liquor and layered flavor while keeping the aromatic lift that defines oolong. The result is stewed apricot, roasted barley, golden honey, plum, and caramel.
If you are choosing among styles, our complete guide to Nepal oolong tea explains how oxidation shapes the cup, and our oolong picker's guide helps you match a tea to your taste. Browse the full Nepal oolong tea collection for more single-origin Ilam oolongs.
Tasting Notes
- Aroma: Stewed apricot, roasted barley, golden honey
- Body: Medium to full, smooth and layered
- Finish: Long and sweet, with stewed plum and caramel
- Liquor: Deep amber, bright and clear
- Pairs well with: Dark chocolate, roasted nuts, baked apple, aged cheese, autumn desserts
Buy Nepali Oolong Online
Our direct-trade model keeps more value at origin and lets us ship fresher, better-traced loose leaf tea to customers across the United States. Orders leave our Saugus, Massachusetts facility, so it is easy to buy single-origin Nepali oolong online with fast U.S. fulfillment and free shipping over $60.
How to Brew Black Yeti
- Heat the water: Heat fresh, filtered water to 190 to 195°F, just under a rolling boil.
- Measure the leaf: Use 1 heaping teaspoon (about 2.5 grams) of Black Yeti per 8 oz cup.
- Steep: Steep about 3 minutes for the first infusion, then taste and adjust.
- Re-steep: Infuse the same leaves 2 to 3 more times, adding 30 to 60 seconds each round. For a more ceremonial approach, see our gong fu vs western brewing guide.
Caffeine & Calm Energy
An 8 oz cup of Black Yeti contains roughly 25 to 45 mg of caffeine, a medium level for a partially oxidized oolong. Paired with the L-theanine naturally present in the leaf, it delivers calm, focused energy without the jitters or crash, which makes it a smooth afternoon cup. For a deeper look, see our guide on how much caffeine is in oolong tea.
How Black Yeti Compares to Our Other Nepali Oolongs
| Oolong | Flavor Profile | Caffeine | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Yeti (this tea) | Stewed apricot, roasted barley, honey, plum, caramel; autumn harvest | Medium | Roasted, fruit-forward oolong lovers; seasonal and rare |
| Ruby | Toasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, oak; smooth and silky | Medium | Toasty daily organic oolong, multiple steeps |
| Green Pearls | Lightly oxidized; orchid, taro, wheat; light and floral | Medium | Green-to-oolong crossover, light floral sessions |
| Annapurna Amber | Sweet, earthy, robust dark oolong; award-winning depth | Medium | A NATC award-winning darker oolong |
| Tihar Smoked | Bold, oak-smoked, campfire character; rare small batch | Medium | Smoky-tea lovers and adventurous palates |
Why Our Customers Love Our Teas
FAQ about Nepali Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Black Yeti, Apricot & Honey
Everything you need to know before your first cup.