Between Us - Li Shan GABA

€14,00

Taxes included.

Sweet fruit • Baked apples • Honey • Ripe grapes • Delicate mountain florals

There is something beautiful about not needing to think of the next thing to say. The mind softens. Conversation slows. Eye contact lasts a little longer. Nothing needs to be performed, explained, or filled.

about 10 mugs or 5 gongfu sessions

Harvested from the misty peaks of Taiwan, Li Shan GABA is a tea that opens space for authentic human connection. It bridges the distance between two people, transforming quiet shared moments into a comfortable, unspoken sanctuary.

The ritual (Gongfu Cha):
Measure 5 to 6 grams of tea for every 100 ml of water. Pour over water heated to 90–95°C. Let your first infusion rest for 20 seconds to wake up the tightly rolled leaves. For the subsequent rounds, brew for 25 to 30 seconds, and extend to 40 to 50 seconds for the later steepings. With each pour, the leaves release waves of sweet fruit, offering 5 to 6 slow, evolving steepings.

The cozy mug (Western Style):
For an effortless cup that keeps you company during a long chat, use 3 grams of tea leaves for a standard 250 ml mug. Fill with water at 90–95°C and let it steep quietly for 3 to 4 minutes.

Taste: a sweet, comforting medley of ripe fruits, warm baked pastry, and honeyed grapes.
Body & Infusion: medium-to-full-bodied, rich, and distinctly thick. The liquor pours a deep, luminous golden-amber that smoothly coats the palate.
The Finish: a long, lingering finish that feels naturally soothing.

In short, it is a classic high-mountain oolong that takes a secret detour through an oxygen-free chamber to gain its deep warmth and relaxing energy.

Sun-withering & tossing: the hand-picked leaves are withered under the sun and gently tossed. This triggers a light, traditional partial oxidation (around 15–25%), which is typical for a high-mountain oolong. This step unlocks those delicate mountain florals and crisp fruit notes.

The oxygen-free transformation (the GABA magic):iInstead of continuing normal oxidation in the air, the leaves are placed inside a completely sealed, oxygen-free chamber filled with nitrogen gas. Resting in this oxygen-free environment for several hours completely changes the chemistry of the leaf.

The tea’s natural amino acids transform into GABA, the compound responsible for the tea's deeply calming effect on the nervous system.

Rolling and roasting: finally, the leaves are tightly rolled into small, characteristic tea pearls and gently roasted.

Origin: Li Shan (Pear Mountain), Taiwan.
Terroir: hand-picked at extreme high altitudes between 1,600 and 2,000 meters, where cool mountain mists and rich soils impart a refined, pristine energy to the leaves of the Camellia sinensis bushes.

While it begins as a premium high-mountain oolong, its unique magic happens in the processing: anaerobic fermentation in an oxygen-free chamber transforms the leaf’s natural glutamate into high levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).

Then the tea is traditionally rolled and lightly roasted, beautifully blending a classic oolong profile with the distinct, calming "GABA depth."

We always recommend sipping all our teas solo to appreciate its pure, unmasked character. But if you wish to pair it with a bite, choose mindfully :)

If you’re pairing, try these:
- Light fruit tarts
- Warm apple pastries
- Buttery shortbread
- Mild creamy cheeses