Resonance GABA
Resonance GABA was chosen for its gentle effect. This oolong tea from Mingjian, Nantou, exemplifies why GABA has become a modern Taiwanese specialty — it boasts a smooth texture, low astringency, and a calm, steady finish. Picked in May 2025 at 350 m from Mr. Yu’s single garden, it is unroasted and shaped to higher oxidation. The liquor glows amber-gold with ripe fruit and soft grain, then lifts into mint-cool spice before clearing clean and mineral. It is a small spring lot guided for comfort with clarity.
The GABA story
GABA tea began in Japan in the 1980s, when researchers discovered that resting fresh leaves in sealed, low-oxygen tanks raised their natural levels of γ-aminobutyric acid. Taiwan producers soon refined the process, pairing it with ball-rolled oolong craft. The result was a style unlike any other tea: smoother, easier on the palate, and consistently calming. In Resonance, leaves wither briefly, then cycle between low-oxygen rests and short airings. Enzyme pathways shift, grassy edges fade, and flavors move toward dried fruit and cane. Oxidation runs high — around 70–80 % — for depth without harshness. With no roast, the cup remains transparent and bright. What began as research has grown into one of Taiwan’s most distinctive tea traditions.
Benefits and feel
People often choose GABA oolong for its unique flavor. The cup lands smoothly, with very little bite, making it easy to drink on an empty stomach. Flavors lean toward fruit and soft grain instead of sharp, green notes. Many describe the effect as quietly settling, with a steadier pace than standard oolong. Small studies support this impression, noting a reduction in perceived stress and signs of a calmer heart rhythm after consuming GABA tea. Taiwan’s own standard requires at least 150 mg of GABA per 100 g dry leaf, and market tests often show more. Individual experiences vary, but a consistent trait is a calm, composed session that feels gentle yet sustaining.
Character in the cup
Resonance GABA opens with notes of dried apricot and golden raisin, supported by a soft, cereal-like sweetness. Mid-steeps add a cool line of cinnamon bark, camphor, or wintergreen. Later rounds hold shape rather than dissolving into sugar, finishing neat and mineral. Compared to our other GABA oolongs, Morning Dew (Bai Lu) is softer and fruit-forward, Red Jade (TTES 18) is brighter with sharper spice notes, while Resonance carries more grain depth and balance. It is the most grounded of the three — calm, clear, and steady across many short infusions.
FAQ
What makes a tea a GABA oolong?
Fresh leaves rest in sealed, low-oxygen tanks. This builds γ-aminobutyric acid and shifts grassy notes toward fruit and cane sweetness.
What effects do drinkers notice?
Many describe a smoother cup with less bite and a steady, calm pace. Small studies suggest reduced perceived stress and gentler heart rhythm, but effects vary by person.
How is Resonance different from your other GABA oolongs?
Morning Dew is the soft, fruit-first option. Red Jade is brighter, with a spicy and minty lift. Resonance is deeper through the grain, steady, and very tidy at the finish.