Taiwanese black tea is famous worldwide for its unique flavors, diverse varieties, and numerous health benefits.
From the cinnamon and mint notes of Taiwan Tea No. 18 to the floral and wild notes of Taiwanese Mountain Tea, each type has its own story and distinct taste that captivates tea lovers.
The history of Taiwanese black tea dates back to 1926 when Mitsui & Co. imported large-leaf tea plants from India and successfully cultivated them in Yuchi, Nantou.
The government then actively promoted the production and export of black tea, making Taiwanese black tea renowned on the international stage.
This article will dive deep into the history of Taiwanese black tea and introduce seven of the main varieties, exploring their unique characteristics and charm.
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| Photographed by Nao |
History and Origins of Taiwanese Black Tea
The large-scale production of Taiwanese black tea began in 1926 when Mitsui & Co. imported large-leaf tea plants from India and successfully cultivated them in Yuchi, Nantou.
With government support for tea production, Yuchi and Puli gradually became the production centers of Taiwanese black tea, earning the title of the "hometown of black tea."
The main varieties of Taiwanese black tea come from imported large-leaf plants and native mountain tea trees. Through cultivation and breeding, these tea plants have led to the diverse and high-quality Taiwanese black tea we know today.
Production and Fermentation of Taiwanese Black Tea
Tea leaves can be classified into three main types based on their fermentation level: non-fermented tea, partially fermented tea, and fully fermented tea.
Black tea is a fully fermented tea, where the polyphenols in the tea leaves are fully oxidized during the production process, forming theaflavins and thearubigins.
This gives black tea its characteristic reddish color and rich aroma. In the production of Taiwanese black tea, skilled craftsmanship fully brings out the components of the tea leaves, resulting in a rich flavor and mouthfeel.
>> Read more: Complete Guide to Tea Fermentation: Definition, Process, and Impact
Best Black Tea Types in Taiwan
#1. Taiwan Tea #18 / Ruby Black Tea
Taiwan Tea No. 18, also known as "Ruby Black Tea," is one of Taiwan's most famous black teas, prized for its unique health benefits and rich flavor profile.
It is a hybrid of wild Taiwanese tea and Burmese large-leaf tea, mainly grown in Yuchi, Nantou.
This tea has a naturally aromatic cinnamon and light mint flavor, with a delightful fragrance and sweet taste.
It is particularly suitable for drinking plain, allowing its aroma and taste to be fully appreciated.
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Flavor Profile: Natural cinnamon and mint aroma
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Best Enjoyed: Plain
#2. Taiwan Assamica #8 Black Tea
Taiwanese Assamica #8 Black Tea is derived from the Indian Assam variety and is often referred to as Assam black tea.
Compared to Taiwan Tea #18, its tea liquor is thicker, with a strong malt aroma and a rich, mellow taste.
It has a slightly astringent note, making it perfect for both plain drinking and milk tea.
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Flavor Profile: Strong malt aroma, rich and mellow
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Best Enjoyed: Flavored tea, milk tea
#3. Taiwanese Mountain Tea
Taiwanese Mountain Tea is a rare native wild tea from Taiwan's mountainous regions. The tea liquor is golden-red, with a delicate floral fragrance and a mellow, thick taste.
It has a natural wild character and a sweet, lingering aftertaste.
Taiwanese Mountain Tea offers a particularly refined aroma and a warm mouthfeel, making it one of the finest black teas.
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Flavor Profile: Delicate floral fragrance, mellow taste
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Best Enjoyed: Plain
#4. Taiwan Tea #12 / Jin Xuan
Taiwan Tea No. 12, also known as "Jin Xuan," is a versatile tea that can be made into black tea, oolong tea, or Pouchong tea.
When processed as black tea, it has a distinctive milk fragrance and honey aroma.
The tea liquor starts off slightly bitter but quickly turns sweet, with a lasting aftertaste.
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Flavor Profile: Milk fragrance, honey aroma
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Best Enjoyed: Plain
#5. Taiwan Tea #21 / Hong Yun
Taiwan Tea No. 21, also known as "Hong Yun" (meaning "Red Luck"), is named to symbolize good fortune.
It has a strong floral and fruity aroma, with hints of citrus. The tea liquor is bright golden-red, with a sweet and refreshing taste, making it a great choice for plain drinking.
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Flavor Profile: Floral and fruity, citrus aroma
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Best Enjoyed: Plain
#6. Large-Leaf Oolong
Large-Leaf Oolong was widely cultivated during the Japanese colonial period and is now mainly grown in the Hualien and Taitung regions.
This black tea has a unique honey fragrance, formed by the interaction of the green leafhopper with the tea leaves.
In recent years, this honey-scented black tea has gained immense popularity. It is characterized by its rich aroma and a sweet aftertaste.
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Flavor Profile: Honey aroma, rich and sweet
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Best Enjoyed: Plain, honey-scented tea
#7. Qingxin Gan Zai
Qingxin Gan Zai is a unique tea variety from Sanxia, New Taipei City, also known as "Gan Zai."
This black tea is created by allowing the green leafhopper to feed on the tea leaves, resulting in a natural honey fragrance.
The tea liquor is sweet without any astringency, making it perfect for drinking plain, without adding sugar or honey.
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Flavor Profile: Subtle honey aroma, sweet aftertaste
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Best Enjoyed: Plain
#8. Taiwan Tea #7 / Shan
Taiwan Tea No. 7 traces its origins back to 1938 when it was introduced from Thailand's "Shan" variety by the Eastern Tea Company and cultivated in Yuchi, Nantou.
The tea liquor is golden, with plenty of white trichomes, and has a refreshing, gentle aroma.
It has a fresh and rich taste, and its high polyphenol oxidation rate produces a bright red tea liquor even from spring leaves.
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Flavor Profile: Refreshing, gentle, bright red liquor
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Best Enjoyed: Plain
#9. Taiwan Tea #23 / Qi Yun
Taiwan Tea No. 23, known as "Qi Yun," is derived from the breeding process of the Qimen tea variety.
The tea liquor is vibrant orange-red, with a rich, mellow flavor and a slight astringency.
It has a citrusy, floral-fruity aroma, making it one of the high-aroma and flavorful small-leaf black teas.
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Flavor Profile: Citrus floral-fruity aroma, rich taste
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Best Enjoyed: Plain
Regions and Characteristics of Taiwanese Black Tea
The quality of Taiwanese black tea comes from its unique geographic environment and the exceptional craftsmanship involved in its production.
From high mountain tea in Yuchi, Nantou, to honey-scented black tea in the Huadong region, each production area gives its tea a unique terroir, contributing to the diversity and richness of Taiwanese black tea.
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Yuchi, Nantou: Main production area for Taiwan Tea No. 18, known for high-quality black tea.
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Huadong Region: Main production area for large-leaf oolong honey-scented black tea.
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Sanxia Area: Production area for Qingxin Gan Zai, known for its honey-scented black tea.
How to Choose and Enjoy Taiwanese Black Tea
When choosing Taiwanese black tea, you can select based on your preference for aroma and taste.
If you enjoy a delicate floral fragrance, try Taiwanese Mountain Tea.
If you prefer a strong malt aroma, Taiwan Tea No. 8 might be ideal.
Additionally, different teas can be enjoyed in various ways; for instance, Taiwan Tea No. 8 is a great choice for brewing milk tea.
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Recommended for Plain Drinking: Taiwan Tea No. 18, Taiwan Tea No. 21, Taiwanese Mountain Tea, Taiwan Tea No. 7
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Recommended for Milk Tea: Taiwan Tea No. 8
Health Benefits of Taiwanese Black Tea
Taiwanese black tea not only has a unique flavor but also offers numerous health benefits, such as promoting cardiovascular health, enhancing focus, and providing antioxidants.
Regularly drinking moderate amounts of black tea can improve overall health and provide a soothing experience for both body and mind.
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Antioxidants: Polyphenols in black tea help combat free radicals.
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Cardiovascular Health: Moderate consumption may reduce the risk of heart disease.
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Enhances Focus: The caffeine in black tea can help improve focus and alertness.
>> Read more: 10+ Proven Health Benefits of Black Tea: Heart Health, Antioxidants, and More
Future Trends and Market of Taiwanese Black Tea
With the growing pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and renewed appreciation for tea culture, the future of Taiwanese black tea is full of opportunities.
Tea farmers are not only committed to improving the quality of tea leaves but are also exploring more diverse varieties and production methods to make Taiwanese black tea more competitive in the international market.
Moreover, the cultural value of Taiwanese black tea is gradually being recognized, with many tea gardens integrating tourism by offering visitors tea-tasting and tea-making experiences, allowing more people to discover the charm of Taiwanese black tea.
Conclusion: Benefits and Possibilities of Taiwanese Black Tea
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Wide Variety of Flavors: From cinnamon and mint notes to rich honey scents, Taiwanese black tea offers a broad spectrum of flavors.
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Unique Cultural Heritage: Each tea variety carries its own story and history, reflecting Taiwan's rich cultural background.
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Health Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, promotes cardiovascular health, and enhances focus.
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Versatile Enjoyment: Suitable for both plain drinking and flavored preparations, offering options for all tastes.
Taiwanese black tea offers a wide variety of flavors, each with its own unique story and background, making you want to savor each one.
Whether it's the distinctive cinnamon and mint aroma or the rich honey scent, every cup of Taiwanese black tea brings a different surprise.
We hope this article helps you find your favorite Taiwanese black tea and enjoy the tranquility and beauty that tea brings.
Taiwanese black tea is not just a beverage but also a historical and cultural heritage. By understanding the background and production of each tea, we can better appreciate the vitality that the land imparts to the tea leaves.
Whether you are a tea enthusiast or just beginning to explore the world of black tea, you can find your perfect cup among the diverse offerings of Taiwanese black tea.
