Orange-gold cup of Namche Oolong Tea on loose Nepali oolong leaves
Close-up of loose leaf Namche Oolong Tea from Nepal

Nepali Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Namche, Single-Origin Ilam

Nectarine · toasted walnut · wildflower. Smooth, lightly sweet. Micro-lot, re-steeps 2 to 3x.

Caffeine

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$ 21.00
$ 21.00
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🚚 Ships 1–2 days from Saugus, MA · 🌾 Single-Origin Ilam · 🌸 Limited Micro-Lot

  • Free shipping on orders over $60, contiguous US

About This Tea

★★★★★ Loved by verified buyers

A smooth, lightly oxidized micro-lot oolong with nectarine, toasted walnut, and wildflower notes.

💰 Less than $0.60 per cup — the best per-cup value in our oolong line. Re-steep 2–3 times to draw out every layer of nectarine, walnut, and wildflower.
👉 Limited-release micro-lot. Namche is hand-rolled in small artisan batches from Ilam's late spring flush. Once the lot's gone, the next one waits until next spring. The 3.2 oz bag yields ~36 cups.
🚚
Ships 1–2 days
Saugus, MA
🌾
Single-Origin
Ilam, Nepal
🌸
Micro-Lot
Late Spring Harvest

Quick Facts

  • Origin: Ilam, Nepal · late spring harvest
  • Type: Light-medium oxidation oolong · whole leaf · hand-rolled · micro-lot
  • Caffeine: Medium (~25–45 mg per 8 oz cup, about a third of coffee)
  • Brew: 185–195°F · 2–3 minutes · re-steeps 2–3 times
  • Certifications: Single-origin · direct-trade
  • Specialty: Limited-release micro-batch from late spring harvest
  • Taste: Nectarine, toasted walnut, wildflower · smooth, sweet finish, orange-gold liquor

Handpicked from Ilam's late spring flush and artisan-rolled in micro-batches, Namche is a smooth, lightly oxidized Nepal oolong with an orange-gold cup and layered notes of nectarine, toasted walnut, and wildflower. Each batch is small enough to taste the season, as late spring's cool nights and warming days produce a sweeter, more floral leaf than autumn harvests.

A great choice for drinkers who lean toward lighter, floral oolongs and prefer micro-lot character over standard production. Where Dragon Claw brings hazelnut-warm depth and Ruby brings stone-fruit-honey richness, Namche is brighter and more spring-floral, with a clean wildflower finish. Explore our oolong tea collection for the rest of our Ilam range, from medium-oxidation darks like Annapurna Amber to our oak-smoked Tihar specialty.
Type icon
Tea Type
Oolong Tea
Origin icon
Origin
Ilam, Nepal
Harvest Date icon
Harvest
2024
Season icon
Season
Late Spring
Brewing Temp icon
Brewing Temp
195°
Steeping Time icon
Steeping Time
2 - 3 Minutes
Caffeine Strength icon
Caffeine Strength
3 of 5
Elevation icon
Elevation
7000ft
Direct-Trade · Single-Origin

A Limited Micro-Lot from the Ilam Highlands

Namche is hand-picked from Ilam's late spring flush and rolled by artisan tea makers in small, limited batches. Late spring's cool nights and warming days produce a sweeter, more floral leaf than autumn harvests, giving this single-origin Nepali oolong its bright, spring-floral character. Because each lot is tiny, it is a true micro-lot tea, and once a season's batch sells out the next waits until the following spring.

ELEVATION

~7,000 ft (High-Mountain)

HARVEST

Late Spring Flush

REGION

Ilam, Nepal

A Lighter, Spring-Floral Nepal Oolong

Namche is a light to medium oxidation oolong, which keeps it on the brighter, more aromatic end of the oolong spectrum. The cup pours orange-gold with layered notes of nectarine, toasted walnut, and wildflower, finishing smooth and lightly sweet. It is a great pick if you find darker oolongs too heavy and want something fresh, floral, and easy to drink across the day.

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 match a tea to your taste. You can also see how the harvest season changes flavor in our guide to Nepalese tea flavors through the seasons. Browse the full Nepal oolong tea collection for more single-origin Ilam oolongs.

Tasting Notes

  • Aroma: Nectarine, toasted walnut, wildflower
  • Body: Light to medium, smooth and silky
  • Finish: Clean and lightly sweet, gently floral
  • Liquor: Bright orange-gold
  • Pairs well with: Fresh fruit, light pastries, almond cookies, soft cheeses, salads

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 Namche

  1. Heat the water: Heat fresh, filtered water to 185 to 195°F.
  2. Measure the leaf: Use 1 heaping teaspoon of Namche per 8 oz cup.
  3. Steep: Steep 2 to 3 minutes for the first infusion, then taste and adjust.
  4. Re-steep: Infuse the same leaves 2 to 3 more times, adding 15 to 30 seconds each round. For a more ceremonial approach, see our gong fu vs western brewing guide.

Caffeine & Calm Energy

An 8 oz cup of Namche 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 an easy all-day cup. For a deeper look, see our guide on how much caffeine is in oolong tea.

How Namche Compares to Our Other Nepali Oolongs

OolongFlavor ProfileCaffeineBest For
Namche (this tea)Nectarine, toasted walnut, wildflower; light, bright, spring-floralMediumLighter, floral oolong lovers; micro-lot character
Green PearlsLightly oxidized; orchid, taro, wheat; light and floralMediumGreen-to-oolong crossover, hand-rolled pearls
RubyToasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, oak; smooth and silkyMediumToasty daily organic oolong, multiple steeps
Dragon ClawGolden liquor, candied hazelnut, nutmeg, apricot jamMediumGongfu sessions and warmer, nuttier profiles
Black YetiStewed apricot, roasted barley, honey, plum, caramel; autumn harvestMediumRoasted, fruit-forward, deeper autumn cup

Browse all our Nepal oolong teas →

Related Oolong Tea Resources

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Common Questions

FAQ about Nepali Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Namche, Single-Origin Ilam

Everything you need to know before your first cup.

What is Namche oolong tea?
Namche is a single-origin, late-spring micro-lot oolong from the highlands of Ilam, Nepal. It is a light to medium oxidation whole leaf oolong, hand-rolled in small artisan batches. The cup is orange-gold and smooth, with bright, spring-floral notes of nectarine, toasted walnut, and wildflower.
What does Namche oolong taste like?
Namche pours a bright orange-gold cup with layered notes of nectarine, toasted walnut, and wildflower, finishing smooth and lightly sweet. It is lighter and more floral than darker oolongs, with a clean, gentle character that makes it easy to drink on its own throughout the day.
What is a micro-lot oolong?
A micro-lot is a very small, single-batch production from one harvest and one place. Namche is hand-rolled in limited quantities from Ilam's late spring flush, so each lot has its own seasonal character. When a season's batch sells out, the next one is not available until the following spring.
How do I brew Namche oolong?
Use 1 heaping teaspoon of Namche per 8 ounces of filtered water heated to 185 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Steep 2 to 3 minutes for the first cup, then re-steep the same leaves 2 to 3 more times, adding 15 to 30 seconds with each infusion to draw out new layers of fruit and flower.
Does Namche oolong have caffeine?
Yes. An 8 ounce cup of Namche contains roughly 25 to 45 milligrams of caffeine, a medium level for a lightly oxidized oolong. Combined with the L-theanine in the leaf, it offers a calm, steady lift without the jitters, which makes it a smooth all-day tea.
Where is Namche oolong grown?
Namche is grown in the high highlands of Ilam in eastern Nepal and harvested during the late spring flush. The cool nights and warming days of late spring produce a sweeter, more floral leaf, which gives this single-origin oolong its bright, spring-floral character.
How many times can I re-steep Namche?
Namche is a whole leaf oolong made for multiple infusions. You can re-steep the same leaves 2 to 3 times, adding 15 to 30 seconds each round. Each infusion brings out new layers of nectarine, walnut, and wildflower, which makes it one of the best per-cup values in our oolong line.
How is Namche different from Ruby and Black Yeti?
All three are single-origin Nepali oolongs. Namche is a light, spring-floral micro-lot with nectarine and wildflower. Ruby is toasty and honeyed with pecan and oak. Black Yeti is a deeper autumn lot with stewed apricot and roasted barley. Each captures a different season and oxidation level.
Is Namche single-origin?
Yes. Namche is a single-origin oolong from one region and one harvest in Ilam, Nepal. Nepali Tea Traders works directly with smallholder tea makers, so the tea is fully traceable from garden to cup, with no blending across origins and a farmer-first sourcing model.
Where does Namche ship from?
Namche ships from our facility in Saugus, Massachusetts. Orders over $60 ship free within the contiguous United States, and most orders arrive within 2 to 5 business days. Ordering directly from Nepali Tea Traders ensures you receive fresh, single-origin loose leaf straight from the source.
How should I store Namche to keep it fresh?
Store Namche in a cool, dry place away from light, heat, moisture, and strong odors, and keep the bag sealed between uses. Avoid the refrigerator, since humidity damages the leaves, and keep tea away from spices and coffee, which it can absorb. Properly stored, it stays fresh for 18 to 24 months.