Teas of Taiwan
Popular Taiwanese Tea: Dong Ding Oolong
Recently I attended an event that I believe was a first of its kind here in Taiwan. The Nantou County Government sponsored the Lugu Farmers’ Association to host a public forum on the local specialized industry of Dong Ding Oolong Tea.
The History of Tea in Taiwan
If tea drinkers were asked to list their favorite teas and then told afterward that their tea choices provided a peek into their personalities, many would concede that there are plausible connections.
Using the Term “Oriental” in Tea Names
It’s only a matter of time until “Oriental Beauty” (Taiwanese oolong) is no longer an acceptable tea name.
Tuesdays With Norwood, Re-Steeped: Teas of Taiwan
We’re going back into the archives to revisit these classic posts by James Norwood Pratt. This post includes all three posts about Teas from Taiwan: “Teas of Taiwan”, “Jade and Amber Oolong”, and “Formosa Oolong”. We have added a link to the end of each one to take...
Taiwan’s Black Tea Renaissance
Black tea production in Taiwan has always been a tremendous part of its tea culture. Although it shadows oolong tea, black tea has made some amazing strides as more farmers, in different growing regions, make it their mission to experiment and process it on an annual...
Taiwan tea competitions
Recently I’ve had the recurring thought that part of my personal mission related to tea is to let the world know that Taiwan is the heart of specialty Oolong Tea in the 21st century. This is not a new idea, but it somehow it has felt particularly poignant lately.
Taiwan tea drink culture
This is the take-out drink store that is just next door to my apartment in Taichung, Taiwan. It also happens to be my favorite of its kind. The main
Global Tea Hut: Taiwan state of mind
I would venture a guess that many T Ching readers would list personal growth pretty high up on their list of life priorities. Serious tea drinkers just tend to be ‘that way.’ The leafy path of Cha Dao has many resting places along its way for activities
Tea Sage Hut: Global Tea Hut’s center in Miao Li, Taiwan
Baisao was an eighteenth century tea sage whose bright spirit illuminates our tradition in more than name alone. A Zen monk for most of his life,
Artisan tea: a closer look at tea production in Taiwan
In our previous post, What Is ‘Artisan’ About Artisan Tea?, a discussion was initiated about what actually is involved in the making of tea that qualifies as artisan. This post will continue exploring that question by taking a more detailed look at recent trends in...
Modern Taiwanese teaware
Seldom have I enjoyed a tea-related exhibit as much as the Colors of Tea: Taiwanese Teaware and Tea Settings at the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles.
Wulong, the treasure of Taiwan
Last month, World Tea News published a fascinating article about Taiwanese tea.
Interview with Mr Lee, a tea farmer in Lugu, Taiwan
On a summer afternoon, I stepped into Lee's Tea Estate to interview its owner, Mr. Lee, an experienced tea artisan in Lugu, Taiwan. When the interview was finished, it was dark outside. Only then did I realize how long we had been talking. It is really amazing that...
Interview with Taiwanese tea farmer Kevin Liang
The story of Kevin reflected the recent tea development in Taiwan. Young people abandoned tea farming business and left for big cities for an easier job.
A Taiwanese tea workshop in Singapore
Just a few weeks ago, I attended a Taiwanese Tea Workshop. It was run by two tea-loving friends, Hongyuan and Jacquelyn, who recently set up a little tea education outfit called Pekoe & Imp. They’d been regaling me with lovely tales of their Taiwan tea…
Atmospheric teahouses in Taiwan
You have only one day in Taiwan and you face the ultimate traveller’s dilemma – how should you spend it and where should you go? Yes, you can shop and eat until you literally drop, but why should you when you can,,,
The history of tea in Taiwan: A fractured fairytale
If tea drinkers were asked to list their favorite teas and then told afterward that their tea choices provided a peek into their personalities, many would concede that there are plausible connections. Personal in nature, our choices might reflect taste…
A tea delegation to Taiwan
At the end of June 2012, Indian Tea Board Chairman Bhanu led a high-powered tea delegation, comprised of members of the ITA, UPASI, DTA, and Exporters Association, to Taiwan. I was lucky enough to be a part of this…
Teas of Taiwan
First in a series on the teas of Taiwan. Formosa Oolong is so called for the same reason Sri Lanka’s tea is called Ceylon—by any other name it would not sell as well. The word formosa is Latin for “shapely, beautiful” and this is the name Portuguese explorers gave...
PingLin Tea Museum in Taiwan
Image courtesy of Wikipedia In recent years, Taiwan seems to have become an island of museums. During my five-month stay, in addition to the renowned National Palace Museum and National Museum of History, I visited many others, including the Taipei 228 Memorial...