1998 bestea (壹玖玖捌) is a Taiwanese loose-leaf tea brand built on one thing: 100% Taiwanese-grown high-mountain oolong, with no artificial flavoring. The range runs from bright, floral Lishan and Alishan oolongs to a mellow, ripe-fruit Red Oolong, all sold as whole loose leaf for hot or cold brewing. If you want to taste what Taiwan's mountains actually do to a tea leaf — without additives — this is a clean, single-origin place to start. Ding-go ships it across the US.
What is 1998 bestea?
1998 bestea specializes in Taiwanese high-mountain (gāoshān) oolong — tea grown at elevation, where cool air and mist slow the leaves and concentrate aroma. Every tea is made with 100% Taiwanese leaves and no artificial flavoring, so the floral, honeyed, and ripe-fruit notes come from the leaf and the roast, not from added scent. The Chinese name 壹玖玖捌 spells out the numerals 1-9-9-8. Teas come as loose leaf, which gives a fuller, more forgiving brew than dust-filled bags.
What kinds of tea does 1998 bestea make?
The lineup spans the classic Taiwanese oolong spectrum — light and floral through to roasted and fruity — plus a high-mountain black tea:
| Tea | Style | Tastes like |
|---|---|---|
| Jinyun Lishan Oolong | High-mountain oolong | Bright floral, honey-green liquor, delicate |
| Alishan Jin Xuan Oolong | High-mountain oolong | Creamy, milky-floral Jin Xuan character |
| Jinyun Four Seasons Spring | Light oolong | Fresh floral aroma, clean finish |
| Fresh Jade Oolong | Green-style oolong | Light, jade-green, fresh |
| Jinyun Red Oolong | Oxidized oolong | Ripe fruit, warm, mellow, full-bodied |
| Fresh Red Oolong | Oxidized oolong | Rounded, fruity, everyday |
| Jinyun Alishan Black Tea | High-mountain black | Malty, smooth, mountain-grown |
For gifting, the Chun Qiu Yun (Spring & Autumn) Gift Box pairs Four Seasons Spring Oolong with Red Oolong — light and floral like spring, warm and mellow like autumn — in one set.
How do you brew it?
Loose leaf rewards a little attention and repays it with multiple infusions:
- Hot brew: about 3g of leaf to 250–300ml hot water, steeped 3–5 minutes; re-steep the same leaves several times.
- Cold brew: about 3g to 500ml cold water, refrigerated 6–8 hours for a smooth, low-bitterness cup.
Lighter oolongs (Four Seasons Spring, Fresh Jade) run floral and clean; Red Oolong and the Alishan black go warmer and fruitier. New to Taiwanese tea? The wider Taiwanese tea guides go deeper, and for evenings there's the low-caffeine tea guide.
1998 bestea at Ding-go
Ding-go ships the 1998 bestea range from a US warehouse — a direct line to single-origin Taiwanese oolong without a trip to Taiwan. Start light with Four Seasons Spring, go classic high-mountain with Lishan Oolong, or gift the Spring & Autumn Box.
FAQ
What is 1998 bestea?
A Taiwanese loose-leaf tea brand focused on 100% Taiwanese high-mountain oolong with no artificial flavoring, spanning light floral oolongs, roasted Red Oolong, and a high-mountain black tea.
Is 1998 bestea flavored or natural?
Natural. The teas are made with 100% Taiwanese leaves and no artificial flavoring — the floral, honey, and ripe-fruit notes come from the leaf and processing.
How do you brew 1998 bestea oolong?
Hot: ~3g leaf to 250–300ml hot water, 3–5 minutes, and re-steep. Cold: ~3g to 500ml cold water, refrigerated 6–8 hours.
What's the difference between the green oolongs and Red Oolong?
The lighter oolongs (Four Seasons Spring, Fresh Jade, Lishan) are floral and fresh; Red Oolong is more oxidized, with ripe-fruit aroma and a warm, mellow, full body.
Which 1998 bestea tea is best for a gift?
The Chun Qiu Yun (Spring & Autumn) Gift Box, which pairs Four Seasons Spring Oolong and Red Oolong for a light-to-mellow tasting journey.
Where can I buy 1998 bestea in the US?
Ding-go stocks the range and ships nationwide from a US warehouse.
