Taiwan strikes a rare balance between tradition and technology in the production of tea. This results in a beautiful and clean finish that combines the passion of artisanal craft with the precision of modern manufacturing techniques.
While Taiwan is known for its famous bubble tea, oolong and black teas are also cultivated here. Throughout the island, you’ll find tea gardens and farm-owned shops where you can sample the country’s unique tea.
Origin
Tea is a crucial part of Taiwanese culture. The country emphasizes quality over quantity, and tea is considered more of a social event than just a drink.
This is evident in their unique tea processing traditions. They have a rare balance between traditional withering techniques and incredibly precise, semi-automated processes for rolling and drying the leaves.
The Taiwanese tea industry has adapted to local conditions and produces some of the finest tea in the world. These include high mountain oolongs such as Alishan and Lishan.
These are also known for a unique high oxidized wulong known as Bai Hao or Oriental Beauty, which is bug-bitten by the Leafhopper (Jacobiasca formosana). This results in a unique flavor with notes of honey and grapes.
Taste
Taiwan is known around the world for its oolong teas, and they’re certainly worth trying. Depending on the region and growing season, they can range from light to dark in color and vary in their flavor and aroma.
There are many specialty tea stores throughout the country and most of them will let you try a cup before you buy. In some places, you’ll even find tea-making machinery on display.
Nantou County is a land-locked area in south-central Taiwan and has become famous for its black tea production. Its black tea possesses a rich, complex aroma and is incredibly sweet.
Another popular oolong in Taiwan is tieguanyin, a cultivar that originated from Fujian Province in China and now makes up most of the oolong production in Nantou County. Tieguanyin is oxidized to medium levels and is often roasted for additional flavor. Its aroma ranges from ripe fruit and toasted nuttiness in a light roast to leather and charcoal tobacco in a dark roast.
Health benefits
台灣茶 has been shown to have many health benefits, including reduced risk of certain cancers. This is particularly true of oolong tea, which has been linked to decreased risks of ovarian cancer and neck and throat cancer.
It is believed that the antioxidants in tea have beneficial effects on your health. Antioxidants help your body fight free radicals that may cause diseases and premature aging, among other things.
Another benefit of drinking tea is its ability to help your immune system function at peak capacity. It can also stimulate mental clarity and help balance emotions.
If you are new to drinking tea, Taiwan is an excellent place to start. The island is known for its terroir and varied climates, which make it an ideal place to grow tea.
Production
Taiwan’s climate and geography make it a paradise for tea trees. The island boasts tropical & subtropical areas with plenty of rain and sunshine, as well as rich, well-draining soil.
During the 17th century, Fujian tea merchants sent some of their best tea tree seeds to Taiwan. These trees adapted to the Taiwan climate and began producing some of the finest Oolong teas in the world today.
Oolong tea is produced throughout the island, from the sunny, fertile valleys of northern Taiwan to misty, high mountain gardens over 1400 meters in elevation. The quality of oolongs varies significantly from season to season, with spring flavors being particularly robust and flowery, while winter teas are lighter in flavor.
Oolongs are processed using a variety of methods. For pearl-shaped oolongs, such as Dong Ding, the leaves are often rolled into the shape of a pearl and dried; for twisted-leaf oolongs, such as Bao Zhong, they are more delicately shaped and then twisted sideways into long strips before being dried.
