Introduction to Taiwan's Major High-Mountain Tea Regions
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*Dayuling Tea*
Generally, Dayuling Tea refers to tea grown in the plantations located along the 105.5k-98k section of Taiwan Provincial Highway 8, near Bilu River and Shuiyuantou.
Grown at altitudes between 2,300 and 2,600 meters, Dayuling Tea thrives in a high-mountain environment surrounded by forests. This area is shrouded in mist year-round, with significant temperature differences between day and night, creating cool conditions that slow down the growth of tea plants. The tea leaves are thick and rich, handpicked, and lightly fermented to preserve the tea’s natural, forest-like aroma.
Characteristics: Smooth and fragrant, with a sweet and refreshing flavor. The tea soup is golden with a greenish hue, crystal clear, and exudes a clean, natural aroma. Each sip refreshes the palate, leaving a lingering fragrance.
*Lishan Tea*
Known as Lishan Tea, this tea is cultivated in plantations located at altitudes of over 2,000 meters in areas like Cuifeng, Huagang, and Xinjuyang.
With high altitudes, significant temperature differences between day and night, and mist enveloping the region during the transition from spring to summer, the Lishan area provides an ideal environment for tea cultivation.
Characteristics: Lishan Tea leaves are soft and thick with a high pectin content. The tea has a delicate aroma, a honey-green to yellow hue, and a smooth, sweet flavor. It is resistant to over-brewing and develops a concentrated sweetness as the tea cools. Harvested only two to three times a year, the tea leaves are large and robust, producing a soft tea soup with a long-lasting aftertaste.
*Fushou Changchun Tea (Presidential Tea)*
Grown at an altitude of around 2,500 meters, the tea plantations benefit from acidic soil, ample sunlight, and afternoon mist. Years of expert refinement have resulted in tea leaves that are tender and flavorful, with a deep, lingering aftertaste. This tea has been chosen as the official tea for entertaining foreign dignitaries by successive presidents.
Available varieties include Qingxin Oolong, Wuyi, and Tieguanyin, with Qingxin Oolong being the most common. Packaged in green tins adorned with the Tienchi Pavilion and bearing the "Rong" emblem of the Veterans Affairs Council, this tea is a hallmark of premium quality.
Characteristics: Aromatic and flavorful, with an exceptionally lingering aftertaste.
*Shanlinxi Tea*
Shanlinxi, located at the border of Nantou, Yunlin, and Chiayi counties, lies upstream of Jiazhouliao Creek at altitudes between 1,100 and 2,200 meters. This area is characterized by year-round mist, cool weather, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil, making it ideal for tea cultivation.
Shanlinxi Oolong Tea benefits from its high-altitude environment, where wide temperature variations between day and night slow leaf growth. The leaves are thick, tender, and nutrient-rich.
Characteristics: Exhibits the unique qualities of high-mountain tea. Its appearance is uniform and glossy, and the tea soup is golden with a bright, clear luster. The aroma is elegant and persistent, whether hot or cold. Its flavor is sweet, rich, and smooth, leaving a lasting fragrance and a refreshing feeling.
*Alishan Tea*
Alishan’s Shizuo tea region is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters, where low-level clouds gather, creating an ideal environment for tea cultivation.
In Chiayi County, tea plantations stretch from Meishan Township to Zhuqi Township, Fanlu Township, and Alishan Township, supported by government promotion.
Characteristics: The tea grows under the blanket of morning and evening mist, with short daily sunlight and slow leaf growth. The leaves are plump, tender, and rich. The brewed tea is soft, with a honey-green color and a fresh, delicate aroma.
*Dongding Oolong Tea*
Dongding Oolong Tea has a long-standing reputation and is mainly grown in Lugu Township, Nantou County. Narrowly defined, it refers to semi-ball-shaped Oolong tea from this region. Broadly, it includes medium-fermented, medium-roasted Oolong tea regardless of altitude. In general markets, it is called Dongding Oolong Tea or "ripe fragrance" Oolong Tea.
Characteristics: A medium-fermented tea with a curled appearance, golden tea soup, rich aroma, and a sweet, smooth, and robust taste with a strong, lingering aftertaste.
For further reference, you may consult maps showing the locations and altitudes of these tea regions.
Generally, Dayuling Tea refers to tea grown in the plantations located along the 105.5k-98k section of Taiwan Provincial Highway 8, near Bilu River and Shuiyuantou.
Grown at altitudes between 2,300 and 2,600 meters, Dayuling Tea thrives in a high-mountain environment surrounded by forests. This area is shrouded in mist year-round, with significant temperature differences between day and night, creating cool conditions that slow down the growth of tea plants. The tea leaves are thick and rich, handpicked, and lightly fermented to preserve the tea’s natural, forest-like aroma.
Characteristics: Smooth and fragrant, with a sweet and refreshing flavor. The tea soup is golden with a greenish hue, crystal clear, and exudes a clean, natural aroma. Each sip refreshes the palate, leaving a lingering fragrance.
*Lishan Tea*
Known as Lishan Tea, this tea is cultivated in plantations located at altitudes of over 2,000 meters in areas like Cuifeng, Huagang, and Xinjuyang.
With high altitudes, significant temperature differences between day and night, and mist enveloping the region during the transition from spring to summer, the Lishan area provides an ideal environment for tea cultivation.
Characteristics: Lishan Tea leaves are soft and thick with a high pectin content. The tea has a delicate aroma, a honey-green to yellow hue, and a smooth, sweet flavor. It is resistant to over-brewing and develops a concentrated sweetness as the tea cools. Harvested only two to three times a year, the tea leaves are large and robust, producing a soft tea soup with a long-lasting aftertaste.
*Fushou Changchun Tea (Presidential Tea)*
Grown at an altitude of around 2,500 meters, the tea plantations benefit from acidic soil, ample sunlight, and afternoon mist. Years of expert refinement have resulted in tea leaves that are tender and flavorful, with a deep, lingering aftertaste. This tea has been chosen as the official tea for entertaining foreign dignitaries by successive presidents.
Available varieties include Qingxin Oolong, Wuyi, and Tieguanyin, with Qingxin Oolong being the most common. Packaged in green tins adorned with the Tienchi Pavilion and bearing the "Rong" emblem of the Veterans Affairs Council, this tea is a hallmark of premium quality.
Characteristics: Aromatic and flavorful, with an exceptionally lingering aftertaste.
*Shanlinxi Tea*
Shanlinxi, located at the border of Nantou, Yunlin, and Chiayi counties, lies upstream of Jiazhouliao Creek at altitudes between 1,100 and 2,200 meters. This area is characterized by year-round mist, cool weather, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil, making it ideal for tea cultivation.
Shanlinxi Oolong Tea benefits from its high-altitude environment, where wide temperature variations between day and night slow leaf growth. The leaves are thick, tender, and nutrient-rich.
Characteristics: Exhibits the unique qualities of high-mountain tea. Its appearance is uniform and glossy, and the tea soup is golden with a bright, clear luster. The aroma is elegant and persistent, whether hot or cold. Its flavor is sweet, rich, and smooth, leaving a lasting fragrance and a refreshing feeling.
*Alishan Tea*
Alishan’s Shizuo tea region is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters, where low-level clouds gather, creating an ideal environment for tea cultivation.
In Chiayi County, tea plantations stretch from Meishan Township to Zhuqi Township, Fanlu Township, and Alishan Township, supported by government promotion.
Characteristics: The tea grows under the blanket of morning and evening mist, with short daily sunlight and slow leaf growth. The leaves are plump, tender, and rich. The brewed tea is soft, with a honey-green color and a fresh, delicate aroma.
*Dongding Oolong Tea*
Dongding Oolong Tea has a long-standing reputation and is mainly grown in Lugu Township, Nantou County. Narrowly defined, it refers to semi-ball-shaped Oolong tea from this region. Broadly, it includes medium-fermented, medium-roasted Oolong tea regardless of altitude. In general markets, it is called Dongding Oolong Tea or "ripe fragrance" Oolong Tea.
Characteristics: A medium-fermented tea with a curled appearance, golden tea soup, rich aroma, and a sweet, smooth, and robust taste with a strong, lingering aftertaste.
For further reference, you may consult maps showing the locations and altitudes of these tea regions.