Morning Dew GABA

Morning Dew GABA leans into comfort and clarity. Late-spring warmth and cool evenings shaped this calm, fruit-forward tea. Picked in May 2025 from Mr. Yu’s family garden in Mingjian at 350 m, it is unroasted, ball-rolled, and easy to enjoy. The liquor glows amber-gold with notes of dried apricot and sugarcane on the nose, a soft grainy line underneath, and a tidy, mineral finish. Nature-farming practices — including hand-weeding, ground cover, and no synthetic sprays, as stated by the maker — keep the leaf transparent. This is GABA oolong tea for drinkers who prefer steadiness and gentle fruit notes over intensity.

GABA beginnings

GABA tea was first created in Japan in the 1980s. Researchers found that resting fresh leaves in sealed, low-oxygen tanks built high levels of γ-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. Taiwan makers refined the method by pairing it with oolong craft. In this lot, leaves wither briefly, then cycle between anaerobic rest and short airings. Enzyme pathways shift, steering grassy edges toward dried fruit, golden raisin, and cane sweetness. Oxidation levels are high, at approximately 70–80%, to enhance aroma and mitigate bitterness. Rolled into tight spheres and dried at a low temperature with minimal roast, the tea emphasizes fruit clarity and a smooth feel.

Bai Lu explained

Morning Dew is made from Bai Lu, also known as TTES 17, a tea plant variety bred in Taiwan. Bai Lu means “white dew,” a name that hints at its bright and delicate character. This cultivar is prized for its clean fruit, soft grain, and gentle floral notes. In GABA style, Bai Lu becomes even rounder and softer. The high oxidation used here draws out apricot, golden raisin, and cane sweetness, while maintaining a satin-like texture. Compared with other GABA teas, Bai Lu reads plush and fruit-first, leaning toward comfort over spice or depth.

How it compares

Among our GABA oolongs, Morning Dew is the most approachable. Resonance GABA, made from Qi Yun, sits darker with a cocoa tone and a grounded base. Red Jade GABA, crafted from TTES 18, offers a cooler and more defined profile, with discreet notes of cinnamon, camphor, and a minty finish. Morning Dew is soft, fruity, and steady. Resonance is resonant and anchoring. Red Jade is precise and lifted. All share the hallmarks of GABA processing — smooth feel, low astringency, calm finish — yet Bai Lu makes Morning Dew the one most shaped by fruit and ease.

FAQ

What is Bai Lu GABA oolong tea?
Bai Lu, also known as TTES 17, is a Taiwanese tea plant variety recognized for its clean fruit and gentle florals. In its GABA form, it exhibits apricot, raisin, and cane sweetness, along with a satin texture.

What does the GABA process do?
Fresh leaves rest in low-oxygen tanks between short airings. This anaerobic step produces γ-aminobutyric acid and shifts grassy flavors toward those of dried fruit and soft grain.

How is Morning Dew different from your other GABA oolongs?
Morning Dew (Bai Lu) is fruit-forward and smooth. Resonance (Qi Yun) is more profound with a deeper cocoa flavor. Red Jade (TTES 18) is cooler, spice-tinged, and more defined.