Ruby Organic Oolong Tea – USDA Organic loose leaf from Nepal with deep red brewed liquor in a white cup on tea leaves
Ruby Organic Oolong Tea from Nepali Tea Traders—two clear mugs of brewed oolong beside the product pouch, with a glass teapot in the background.
Close-up of Ruby Organic Oolong Tea loose leaves, high-mountain organic oolong from Ilam, Nepal

Organic Nepali Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Ruby

Toasted pecan · brown sugar · honey · oak · stone fruit. Silky, low astringency. Re-steeps 2 to 3x.

Caffeine

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$ 24.00
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🚚 Ships 1–2 days from Saugus, MA · 🌱 USDA Organic · ⛰️ High-Altitude Ilam Oolong

  • Free shipping on orders over $60, contiguous US

About This Tea

★★★★★ Loved by verified buyers

A small-batch, high-mountain organic oolong with a toasty, honeyed character.

Quick Facts

  • Origin: Ilam, Nepal · ~6,500 ft elevation
  • Type: Summer-flush oolong · hand-rolled · medium oxidation · whole leaf
  • Caffeine: ~30–45 mg per 8 oz cup (medium, gentle steady energy)
  • Brew: 185°F–195°F · 2–3 minutes · re-steeps 2–3 times
  • Certifications: USDA Organic · single-origin · direct-trade
  • Taste: Toasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, oak, ripe nectarine; silky, low astringency, long finish

Ruby is a rare, single-origin USDA Organic oolong from the Ilam highlands of eastern Nepal, hand-rolled at around 6,500 feet and slowly oxidized to sit right between black and green tea. It brews a deep amber cup with toasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, and oak, finishing on ripe stone fruit. The body is silky, smooth, and low in astringency.

A natural choice for fans of darker, roasted oolongs and anyone exploring high-mountain Nepal oolong tea. It re-steeps 2–3 times, each infusion drawing out new honey and stone-fruit layers. A small-batch organic loose leaf made for slow, mindful afternoons.
Type icon
Tea Type
Organic Oolong Tea
Origin icon
Origin
Ilam, Nepal
Harvest Date icon
Harvest
2025
Season icon
Season
Summer Flush
Brewing Temp icon
Brewing Temp
185°
Steeping Time icon
Steeping Time
3 - 4 Minutes
Caffeine Strength icon
Caffeine Strength
4 of 5
Elevation icon
Elevation
6500ft
Direct-Trade · Single-Origin

Hand-Rolled in the High-Altitude Gardens of Ilam, Nepal

Ruby Organic Oolong Tea is hand-plucked and hand-rolled in the Ilam highlands of eastern Nepal, then slowly oxidized to a medium level that sits between black and green tea. This single-origin Nepali oolong is grown at around 6,500 feet, where cool Himalayan air and slow leaf growth build the toasty, honeyed depth that defines a premium high-mountain oolong.

ELEVATION

~6,500 ft (High-Mountain)

HARVEST

Summer Flush

REGION

Ilam, Nepal

What Makes Ruby a Rare Nepal Oolong

Oolong is the most labor-intensive tea to craft, and Ruby is made in small batches by smallholder farmers who wither, hand-roll, and oxidize each lot with care. Its medium oxidation captures the best of both worlds: the smooth body and malt of a black tea with the bright, aromatic lift of a green. The result is a layered, organic loose leaf oolong with toasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, and oak.

Because it is genuinely single-origin and USDA Organic, every cup traces back to one place and one season in Ilam. If you are new to the category, our complete guide to Nepal oolong tea and our roundup of rare and unique small-batch teas are great places to start. Browse the full Nepal oolong tea collection for more single-origin Ilam oolongs.

Tasting Notes

  • Aroma: Toasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, oak
  • Body: Medium to full, silky, low astringency
  • Finish: Long and warming, with lingering stone-fruit sweetness
  • Liquor: Deep amber, bright and clear
  • Pairs well with: Almond biscotti, shortbread, honey cake, soft cheeses, roasted nuts

Buy Organic 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 USDA Organic Nepali tea online with fast U.S. fulfillment and free shipping over $60.

How to Brew Ruby Oolong

  1. Heat the water: Heat fresh, filtered water to 185 to 195°F. Stay near 185°F for a softer cup, or closer to 195°F for a richer, toastier profile.
  2. Measure the leaf: Use 1 to 1.5 teaspoons (2 to 3 grams) of Ruby loose leaf per 8 oz cup.
  3. Steep: Steep 2 to 3 minutes, taste, and adjust to your liking.
  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 Ruby Organic Oolong contains roughly 30 to 45 mg of caffeine, a medium level that sits between green and black tea. Paired with the L-theanine naturally present in the leaf, it delivers calm, focused energy without the jitters or crash, which makes Ruby a popular late-morning or afternoon cup. For a deeper look, see our guide on how much caffeine is in oolong tea.

How Ruby Compares to Our Other Nepali Oolongs

OolongFlavor ProfileCaffeineBest For
Ruby (this tea)Toasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, oak, ripe nectarine; silky and smoothMediumSlow afternoons, multiple steeps, daily organic oolong
Annapurna AmberSweet, earthy, robust dark oolong; award-winning depthMediumShowcasing a NATC award-winning Nepali oolong
Dragon ClawGolden liquor, candied hazelnut, nutmeg, apricot jamMediumGongfu sessions and brighter, nuttier profiles
Tihar SmokedBold, oak-smoked, campfire character; rare small batchMediumSmoky-tea lovers and adventurous palates

Browse all our Nepal oolong teas →

Related Oolong Tea Resources

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Common Questions

FAQ about Organic Nepali Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Ruby

Everything you need to know before your first cup.

What makes Ruby Organic Oolong a high-mountain Nepal oolong?
Ruby Organic Oolong is grown at around 6,500 feet in Nepal's Ilam highlands, where cool mountain air and slow leaf growth concentrate flavor. The leaves are USDA Organic, single-origin, and hand-rolled in small batches, producing a smooth, layered cup with naturally sweet, nutty, and honeyed notes.
How do I brew Ruby Organic Oolong loose leaf tea?
Use 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of Ruby loose leaf per 8 ounces of filtered water heated to 185 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Stay closer to 185 for a softer cup or nearer 195 for a richer, toastier profile. Steep 2 to 3 minutes, then re-steep the leaves 2 to 3 times.
Does Ruby Organic Oolong Tea have caffeine?
Yes. An 8 ounce cup of Ruby Organic Oolong contains roughly 30 to 45 milligrams of caffeine, a medium level that sits between green and black tea. Combined with the L-theanine in the leaf, it offers calm, focused energy, which makes it a great late-morning or afternoon cup.
What does Ruby Organic Oolong Tea taste like?
Ruby brews a deep amber cup with a toasty aroma and flavors of toasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, oak, and ripe stone fruit such as nectarine. The body is medium to full and silky with low astringency, and the flavor deepens over multiple steeps into a long, warming finish.
Is Ruby Organic Oolong Tea USDA Organic and single-origin?
Yes. Ruby is a single-origin, USDA Organic oolong grown in the Ilam region of eastern Nepal. Nepali Tea Traders works directly with smallholder farmers, so every batch traces back to one place and one harvest, with no blending across origins and no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
How many times can I re-steep Ruby Organic Oolong?
Ruby is a whole leaf oolong that rewards multiple infusions. You can re-steep the same leaves 2 to 3 times, adding 15 to 30 seconds to each successive steep. Each infusion reveals new layers of honey, toasted nut, and stone fruit, so a single measure of leaf makes several satisfying cups.
How is Ruby different from Annapurna Amber and Dragon Claw?
All three are organic Nepali oolongs from Ilam. Ruby leans toasty and honeyed with pecan and oak. Annapurna Amber is a sweeter, earthier, award-winning dark oolong. Dragon Claw is brighter and nuttier with candied hazelnut and apricot notes. Trying all three is the best way to find your favorite.
Is oolong tea closer to black tea or green tea?
Oolong sits between the two. It is partially oxidized, so it shares the smooth body and malt of black tea and the bright, aromatic freshness of green tea. Ruby has a medium oxidation level, which gives it a balanced profile that works well for both new and experienced tea drinkers.
Where does Ruby Organic Oolong ship from?
Ruby 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 oolong tea to keep it fresh?
Store Ruby in a cool, dry place away from light, heat, moisture, and strong odors, and keep the bag or tin 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.
What are the health benefits of Ruby Organic Oolong Tea?
Like other quality organic oolong teas, Ruby naturally contains antioxidants and polyphenols that may support digestion, metabolism, heart health, and overall wellness. Enjoying it in place of sugary drinks adds a comforting, low-calorie ritual to your day, with gentle caffeine for steady focus.