The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Nishane launched Wulong Cha in 2015 as an olfactory visit to tea gardens in the Far East, where oolong leaves and Mediterranean fig filled the air. The original was a statement choice, bold enough to announce itself in any room. Eight years later, the house sought a different direction. Enter Wulong Cha X, composed by Julien Rasquinet with a fresh set of priorities. Where the original challenged wearers, this version invites them closer. The citrus and green tea narrative replaces oolong depth, the presentation stayed true to Nishane's signature high-concentration extrait format but the emotional register shifted entirely from declaration to conversation.
The note selection for Wulong Cha X reflects a philosophy centered on clarity and green coherence over impact. Litsea cubeba and bergamot establish a citrus foundation with enough complexity to reward attention without demanding it. Green tea serves as the thematic bridge, connecting the citrus opening to the fig base while establishing the green, meditative quality that distinguishes this from other tea-approach fragrances. Magnolia's placement in the heart provides the necessary sweetness to balance green tea's bitterness, while thyme adds an herbal dimension that connects East and West, botanically speaking.
The evolution
The composition opens with a citrus burst that immediately signals a departure from expectation. Litsea cubeba, bergamot, and yuzu create a three-dimensional opening where each note has room to register, the litsea cubeba providing a peppery bite that recalls the original's spirit without matching its force. Mandarin orange smooths the transition as the heart develops. Green tea arrives with botanical clarity, its slightly bitter quality creating space for magnolia and thyme to enter with purpose. Magnolia's sweet creaminess and thyme's herbal grounding keep the heart from feeling austere while maintaining the meditative quality the house wanted to preserve. The drydown brings fig and musk, and it is here that the emotional shift becomes most clear. This is not the bold fig statement of the original but something quieter, more personal, lingering on skin like an afterthought that refuses to leave entirely.
Cultural impact
Wulong Cha X arrived in 2023, a significant year for the brand. The original Wulong Cha from 2015 established Nishane's citrus-green tea signature, and the 2023 iteration represents a refined evolution of that core concept. Magnolia, added as the key development from the original, brings a delicate floral dimension to the green tea structure, softening the composition while maintaining its essential character. The fragrance offers a transparent, tea-inflected character that feels considered and nuanced rather than aggressive, appealing to those who appreciate subtle olfactory experiences.
