Taiwanese tea: Difference between revisions
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This tea, most notably grown in the mountains of Nantou County, was brought to Taiwan during the 19th century from the mainland's Wuyi Mountains. Its special qualities have been attributed to an almost continuous fog. Teas harvested in the spring are entered in a competition and the winners are quickly bespoken at premium prices, fetching US $2,000 for a 600-gram package during the 1990s. It undergoes less fermentation than most oolongs. A 40-minute roasting over charcoal contributes to its flavor, which also has "nutty, caramel, and chestnut" elements. | This tea, most notably grown in the mountains of Nantou County, was brought to Taiwan during the 19th century from the mainland's Wuyi Mountains. Its special qualities have been attributed to an almost continuous fog. Teas harvested in the spring are entered in a competition and the winners are quickly bespoken at premium prices, fetching US $2,000 for a 600-gram package during the 1990s. It undergoes less fermentation than most oolongs. A 40-minute roasting over charcoal contributes to its flavor, which also has "nutty, caramel, and chestnut" elements. | ||
== Pouchong | == Pouchong == | ||
Pouchong oolong, also called light oolong, is a lightly fermented tea, twist shape, with floral notes, and usually not roasted, somewhere between green tea and what is usually considered Oolong tea (Chinese: 烏龍; pinyin: Wulong, 'Black Dragon'), though often classified with the latter due to its lack of the sharper green tea flavors. 'Pouchong' refers to its paper wrapping. | Pouchong oolong, also called light oolong, is a lightly fermented tea, twist shape, with floral notes, and usually not roasted, somewhere between green tea and what is usually considered Oolong tea (Chinese: 烏龍; pinyin: Wulong, 'Black Dragon'), though often classified with the latter due to its lack of the sharper green tea flavors. 'Pouchong' refers to its paper wrapping. | ||
== Oriental Beauty | == Oriental Beauty == | ||
White Tip Oolong is very fruity in taste and got the name "Oriental Beauty" from Queen Elizabeth II in the 1960s, thus "Formosa Oolong" became popular in the western world for "Oriental Beauty" (東方美人茶). Along with Lishan Oolong, it was one of the most costly exported Taiwanese teas during the 2000s. Its unique flavor originates in part from the inclusion of insect eggs and egg sacs during harvesting, contributing an element that has been described as "earthier and more robust" than Earl Grey tea. The acceptance of this flavor has led to tolerance of the insects and organic growing practices for this tea. | White Tip Oolong is very fruity in taste and got the name "Oriental Beauty" from Queen Elizabeth II in the 1960s, thus "Formosa Oolong" became popular in the western world for "Oriental Beauty" (東方美人茶). Along with Lishan Oolong, it was one of the most costly exported Taiwanese teas during the 2000s. Its unique flavor originates in part from the inclusion of insect eggs and egg sacs during harvesting, contributing an element that has been described as "earthier and more robust" than Earl Grey tea. The acceptance of this flavor has led to tolerance of the insects and organic growing practices for this tea. | ||
== | == Tie Guan Yin == | ||
This variety originated on the mainland, and is associated with a legend in which a tea grower found a unique tea plant near an iron statue of Kuan Yin. Taiwan Mucha Iron Goddess tea (木柵鉄観音), also known as Tie Guanyin, is a traditional oolong. It is roasted and has a stronger taste and a roast nutty character, the tea liquid is reddish-brown. Different from the Anxi Iron Goddess, which is not roasted and green in character. | This variety originated on the mainland, and is associated with a legend in which a tea grower found a unique tea plant near an iron statue of Kuan Yin. Taiwan Mucha Iron Goddess tea (木柵鉄観音), also known as Tie Guanyin, is a traditional oolong. It is roasted and has a stronger taste and a roast nutty character, the tea liquid is reddish-brown. Different from the Anxi Iron Goddess, which is not roasted and green in character. | ||
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Also called Alpine oolong, grown in altitudes of 1,000 meters or above. | Also called Alpine oolong, grown in altitudes of 1,000 meters or above. | ||
* | * Li Shan(梨山) oolong | ||
Grown at altitudes above 2,200 meters, was the costliest Taiwanese tea during the 2000s, commanding prices of over $200 US dollars per 600 grams. | Grown at altitudes above 2,200 meters, was the costliest Taiwanese tea during the 2000s, commanding prices of over $200 US dollars per 600 grams. | ||
* Dayulin (大禹嶺) oolong | * Dayulin (大禹嶺) oolong | ||
Grown at altitudes above 2,500 meters | Grown at altitudes above 2,500 meters. | ||
*Ali | *Ali Shan (阿里山), or other high mountains. | ||
This is the most widely known general name for lightly oxidized oolong tea, much of it picked in winter and therefore termed “Winter tea”. Among the oolongs grown on Ali Mountain, tea merchants tend to stress the special qualities of | This is the most widely known general name for lightly oxidized oolong tea, much of it picked in winter and therefore termed “Winter tea”. Among the oolongs grown on Ali Mountain, tea merchants tend to stress the special qualities of [[Jin Xuan]] oolong( 金萱). The oolong tea made with it has a particularly deep flavor. | ||
== Osmanthus Oolong == | == Osmanthus Oolong == | ||
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== Green tea == | == Green tea == | ||
Green tea, such as | Green tea, such as [[Longjing]] (Dragonwell) and [[Biluochun]], are grown in Taipei County’s Sanhsia area. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||