Dong Ding Light

Dong Ding is one of Taiwan’s oldest oolong traditions, rooted in the foothills around Luku in the island’s central mountain range. Tea makers there have been producing it since the mid-1800s, drawing on techniques brought over from southern Fujian Province, China, where ball-rolling oolongs first took hold. The name “Dong Ding” refers to the mountain where the style originated, and the Luku foothills remain its heartland. This version is lightly oxidized, which places it at the greener, fresher end of the Dong Ding range, distinct from the more heavily roasted styles also produced in the region. We visited our source, Mr. Shen, in 2024 and were confident enough in what we tasted to bring it back into the lineup. The leaves re-steep well, opening gradually with each round.