What is Jin Xuan Tea? What Does It Smell Like?

Jin Xuan was developed in the 1980s by Taiwan’s Tea Research and Extension Station. It was created as a high-mountain oolong that could grow well in cool, misty climates.

It’s now one of the most loved teas from Taiwan.

Grown at altitudes above 1,000 metres, Jin Xuan develops a rich aroma thanks to slow-growing leaves and mineral-rich soil.

So what does it taste and smell like?

• A naturally buttery texture

• Soft floral notes like orchid and magnolia

• A smooth, creamy scent that comes entirely from the tea leaf itself

No milk. No sugar. Just a gentle, comforting aroma that’s earned it the nickname milk oolong.

Jin Xuan smells warm, floral, and slightly milky, perfect for a soft, soothing base in fragrance.

 

How Airy Fragrance Used Jin Xuan in Home Fragrance (Sweet Infusion 幻 Reed Diffuser)

When we created Sweet Infusion 幻, we didn’t want a typical citrus-tea blend. We wanted something that felt personal.

Something like arriving at a mountain onsen in Hakone. You’ve just stepped out of the steam, and someone brings you tea and wagashi (dessert). The room is warm, the air is still, and everything slows down for a moment.

That’s the feeling we wanted to bottle.

幻 (Maboroshi) means illusion, something fleeting, beautiful, and hard to describe. This scent isn’t loud. It’s the pause between moments. Steam on glass. Tea cooling in porcelain.

To capture that mood, we started with Jin Xuan. Its creamy, floral note became the heart of the blend. Then we added:

• Bergamot for gentle warmth

• Cardamom and rosemary for a fresh, clean opening

• Magnolia and tuberose to finish, soft florals that bloom in the background

The result is a floral-tea fragrance with just the right amount of sweetness.
Not sugary. Just delicate, calming, and easy to live with.

Even though it’s called Sweet Infusion, it’s not sweet in the way people expect.
It’s soft. Creamy. A little citrusy. More like a memory than a dessert.

 

What People Say About Sweet Infusion 幻

People often say Sweet Infusion reminds them of things that feel gentle and elevated, 
a boutique hotel spa, the warmth of soft linen, or even a citrusy marshmallow.

One press review from Kuzu, Eikoku News Digest, described it perfectly:

“It’s gentle and sweet, but also has a refreshing citrus scent that makes it very pleasant.
It makes you want to take a deep breath, releasing the tension in your brain and heart, making you feel lighter.”

The first thing Kuzu, the writer, noticed was how balanced the scent felt,  not overpowering, not overly floral. Just clean, comforting, and well-composed.

Kuzu placed the diffuser in her London flat, unsure how it would go down with her British housemates.

But their reactions were lovely: 

“What is this? It smells so good!”

“I thought it was flowers from the garden!”

Even her 70-year-old father was amazed:

“What is this stick?! How does it work? It smells so good! I want this!”

The blend was a crowd-pleaser. Fresh, subtle, elegant.

Even people who “don’t like fragrance” were drawn to it.

Kuzu noted that it’s become her go-to gift:

“The design is so minimalist and elegant, Japanese but not cliché. It’s perfect for friends I never know what to get. Especially when I’ve run out of ideas.”

“I’m going to buy one for my father now.”

 

Bringing the Charm of Mountain Tea Into Everyday Life

I’m so glad to hear thoughtful reviews like this for Sweet Infusion.
If you’ve ever wondered what Jin Xuan tea might smell like in a home fragrance, this is it.

There’s something about it you can’t quite explain until you try it. You really do have to feel the charm of high mountain tea for yourself.

I love diffusing it in the bedroom or bathroom. The scent settles in and softens the space.
How about you?

Let us know where Sweet Infusion belongs in your home. And if you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the time.

You can order now at airyfragrances.com.
We ship to the UK in 48 hours, and worldwide as well.