|
Taiwanese Tea Culture
Taiwan, often referred to as Formosa in the tea world, has carved a distinct niche for itself as the producer of the choicest oolong teas in all the world. Many tea enthusiasts consider oolong tea superior to black tea and green tea, and so consider Formosa oolong tea to be not only the best oolong tea in the world, but also the best tea in general.
Over 90% of the tea Taiwan produces is oolong, and it is its oolong tea for which it is famous. The Taiwanese consume almost 100% of this amount, and unfortunately for the rest of us have a strong preference for the very best of the best oolong tea. Still, the oolong tea that makes its way even to the U.S. really blows me away. Oolong tea is mild and delicious. Its delicate nuances almost force the tea drinker to calm down and enjoy the moment.
The two elements in Taiwan that make its oolong tea better than that grown anywhere else is due to two factors; the seriousness with which its oolong producers take their craft, and the unusual environmental conditions in the northern tip of the island, where the vast majority of Taiwan's oolong tea is grown. The oolong tea industry in Taiwan is made up mostly of small farmers who pass down oolong farming and manufacturing skills, as well the great cultural value placed making the best oolong tea that one can make, on down through the generations. High-end oolong tea producers in other countries, notably China, are able to duplicate the challenging oolong processing methodology used in Taiwan, they cannot duplicate the soil of the Northern Taiwanese teela, which translates to "broken lands". All of the best oolong tea grown in Taiwan is grown on the teela. These lands are near sea level (below 300 ft). The soil is made of yellow clay, produced from broken down rock. This is the last secret of the Taiwanese oolong tea dynasty, and the reason why Taiwan's unique oolong tea won't be challenged anytime soon.
|
|
|