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Organic Nepali Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Ruby
Toasted pecan · brown sugar · honey · oak · stone fruit. Silky, low astringency. Re-steeps 2 to 3x.
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Free shipping on orders over $60
About This Tea
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.
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
- 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.
- Measure the leaf: Use 1 to 1.5 teaspoons (2 to 3 grams) of Ruby loose leaf per 8 oz cup.
- Steep: Steep 2 to 3 minutes, taste, and adjust to your liking.
- 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
| Oolong | Flavor Profile | Caffeine | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby (this tea) | Toasted pecan, brown sugar, honey, oak, ripe nectarine; silky and smooth | Medium | Slow afternoons, multiple steeps, daily organic oolong |
| Annapurna Amber | Sweet, earthy, robust dark oolong; award-winning depth | Medium | Showcasing a NATC award-winning Nepali 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 Organic Nepali Oolong Tea Loose Leaf – Ruby
Everything you need to know before your first cup.
