Nepali Green Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Green Pearls, Hand-Rolled
Orchid aroma · taro · wheat. Silky, lightly sweet. Hand-rolled pearls, re-steeps 2 to 3x.
Caffeine
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About This Tea
A rare hand-rolled green oolong with orchid aroma, taro and wheat notes, and a silky, lightly sweet finish.
Quick Facts
- Origin: Jasbirey, Sandakphu (Ilam district), Nepal · late-autumn pre-winter pick
- Type: Green oolong (lightly oxidized, not green tea) · hand-rolled pearls · whole leaf
- Caffeine: Medium (~25–45 mg per 8 oz cup, about a third of coffee)
- Brew: 180–185°F · 2–3 minutes · re-steeps 2–3 times
- Certifications: Single-origin · direct-trade
- Specialty: Green oolong style, lighter than typical oolong, more aromatic than green tea
- Taste: Orchid aroma · taro and wheat notes · smooth, lightly sweet finish · amber liquor
Hand-picked just before winter dormancy in the Jasbirey valley below Sandakphu in Nepal's Ilam district, and rolled into compact pearls by small-batch tea makers, Green Pearls is a rare green oolong, lightly oxidized so it keeps the freshness of green tea while gaining the orchid-floral aroma and silky mouthfeel of partial-oxidation oolong. The pearls unfurl slowly in your cup, releasing layered notes of orchid, taro, and wheat against a clean, lightly sweet finish.
A natural fit for drinkers who want something between green tea and traditional oolong, more aromatic than green, lighter and brighter than medium-oxidation oolongs like Annapurna Amber. The pearl form rewards multiple infusions; many customers get three quality brewings from a single pour. Browse all our Nepal oolongs to compare across styles, from lightly oxidized pearls to medium-oxidation darks and our oak-smoked Tihar specialty.
Hand-Rolled in the Jasbirey Valley of Sandakphu, Ilam
Green Pearls is hand-picked just before winter dormancy in the Jasbirey valley below Sandakphu, in Nepal's Ilam district, then shaped by hand into compact pearls by small-batch tea makers. This single-origin Nepali green oolong is lightly oxidized, so it keeps the fresh character of a green tea while gaining the orchid-floral aroma and silky body of a partial-oxidation oolong. You can read more about this elevated growing region in our guide to Sandakphu tea origins.
ELEVATION
~7,000 ft (High-Mountain)
HARVEST
Late Autumn (Pre-Winter)
REGION
Jasbirey, Sandakphu, Ilam
What Is a Green Oolong?
A green oolong is a lightly oxidized oolong tea that sits closer to the green end of the spectrum. It is oxidized just enough to develop the aromatic, floral complexity that defines oolong, while keeping the bright, fresh quality of a green tea. Green Pearls is rolled into tight pearls that unfurl slowly in the cup, releasing layered notes of orchid, taro, and wheat over several infusions.
If you are deciding where to start, our complete guide to Nepal oolong tea explains how oxidation shapes flavor, and our oolong picker's guide helps you match a style to your taste. Browse the full Nepal oolong tea collection to compare lightly oxidized pearls against medium and dark oolongs.
Tasting Notes
- Aroma: Fragrant orchid, floral and fresh
- Body: Light to medium, silky and smooth
- Finish: Clean and lightly sweet, with taro and wheat notes
- Liquor: Clear amber, bright
- Pairs well with: Steamed dumplings, light pastries, fruit, mild cheeses, rice dishes
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 Green Pearls
- Heat the water: Heat fresh, filtered water to 180 to 185°F. Green oolong prefers cooler water than darker oolongs.
- Measure the leaf: Use 1 heaping teaspoon of pearls per 8 oz cup. The pearls expand as they open.
- Steep: Steep 2 to 3 minutes for the first infusion, then taste and adjust.
- Re-steep: Infuse the same pearls 2 to 3 more times as they unfurl. For a more ceremonial approach, see our gong fu vs western brewing guide.
Caffeine & Calm Energy
An 8 oz cup of Green Pearls contains roughly 25 to 45 mg of caffeine, a medium level for a lightly 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 daytime cup. For a deeper look, see our guide on how much caffeine is in oolong tea.
How Green Pearls Compares to Our Other Nepali Oolongs
| Oolong | Flavor Profile | Caffeine | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Pearls (this tea) | Lightly oxidized; orchid, taro, wheat; light, floral, fresh | Medium | Green-to-oolong crossover, light floral sessions |
| Ruby | Toasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, oak; smooth and silky | Medium | Toasty daily organic oolong, multiple steeps |
| Annapurna Amber | Sweet, earthy, robust dark oolong; award-winning depth | Medium | A NATC award-winning darker oolong |
| Dragon Claw | Golden liquor, candied hazelnut, nutmeg, apricot jam | Medium | Gongfu sessions and brighter, nuttier profiles |
| 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 Green Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Green Pearls, Hand-Rolled
Everything you need to know before your first cup.
