Tea, Tea Knowledge
Top 5 Taiwan High Mountain Tea Ranking
“Taiwanese High Mountain Tea” and “Taiwanese Flat Tea” are distinguished by the altitude of the tea tree harvesting areas. The tea produced in tea gardens above 1,000 metres above sea level is called “Taiwanese High Mountain Tea”. Taiwan is an island long and narrow from north to south, and densely covered with mountains.
The Central Mountain Range, Snow Mountain Range, Yushan Mountain Range, Alishan Mountain Range and Coastal Mountain Range are the five majors, almost all of which have tea tree footprints. The characteristics of Taiwanese mountainous terrain, coupled with the traditional Chinese emphasis on tea drinking culture, have created Taiwan’s excellent high mountain tea industry.Taiwan’s high-mountain tea areas are dotted between Lala Mountain, Taoyuan in the north, Shanlinxi, Nantou in the centre, Lishan, Taichung to Alishan, Chiayi in the south, and Hualien in the east. A key factor that makes Taiwanese High Mountain Tea fresh and sweet is the average ambient temperature in the alpine tea area is more than 6°C lower than on flat land, and the temperature difference between day and night is wide.
In addition, surrounded by dense clouds and mist, the direct sunlight is blocked which helps lower the content of bitter and astringent substances such as catechin, theophylline, and caffeine in tea. It is no wonder that tea grown in the mountainous regions of Taiwan are naturally superior in taste and quality.
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2024 Taiwanese High Mountain Tea Rank
1.Alishan High Mountain Tea – Taiwan High Mountain Tea Ranking
Alishan high mountain tea can be said to be one that represents the Taiwanese tea industry, and it is often given as a a welcome gift to important foreign guests. The Alishan high mountain tea area is located in a temperate forest at an altitude spanning 1000 to 1600 metres.
It is centred on Fenchi Lake and surrounded by several well-known tea-producing areas, such as: Longan Forest, Shidao, Tefuye, and Chading. Most of the tea trees planted are Qingxin Oolong, amongst a small number of Jinxuan tea trees. Because the alpine tea leaves in Alishan are harvested manually by hand, the price is far from cheap.
Alishan high mountain tea is characterised by its golden and transparent tea brew, which is smooth and absent of astringent tastes. Among them, the “Alishan Pearl Dew Tea” produced in Alishan is one of the classics.
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2.Hsinchu Jianshi Alpine Tea – Taiwan High Mountain Tea Ranking
In recent years, the high mountain tea from Jianshi Township in Hsinchu can be said to be an emerging high mountain tea area in Taiwan. The production areas of high mountain tea were relatively well-known in the early days in the central and southern regions, and there were relatively few high mountain teas in northern Taiwan.
It wasn’t until the high mountain tea from Jianshi won the special prize “Tea King” in 2019 that Jianshi’s high mountain tea became famous. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that Hsinchu Jianshi Wufeng is the last territory for the development of high mountain tea in Taiwan.
The Taigang tribe in Jianshi, Hsinchu has fertile soil and a unique environment, famous for growing high-quality peaches. In recent years, they have progressively started to learn how to grow tea ecologically, and produce the final product. In terms of geographical location, Taigang Oolong Tea is currently the most northerly planted alpine oolong tea. The 1500-1700 metre altitude differences in temperature is what creates the fruity-aromatic “Taigang Alpine Oolong”.
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In the emerald heart of Taiwan’s misty peaks, where heavens kiss the earth, high mountain teas unfold like an orchestra of flavors, each leaf composing a sonnet in the symphony of nature’s grand ranking.
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3.Yùshān High Mountain Tea – Taiwan High Mountain Tea Ranking
Yushan has the highest peak in Taiwan, reaching an altitude of 3952 metres. The Yushan high mountain tea production area is located between 1300 and 1500 metres above sea level, located in Xinyi Township, Nantou, mainly distributed in Shalixian, Tataga, Luona, Tongfu, and Shenmu.
The Yushan tea area has a natural and rich environment, suitable climate, and sufficient water supply. The tea produced from this peak has the characteristics of high mountain tea.
Yushan High Mountain tea is famous for its lightly fermented oolong, which is particularly fragrant, mellow, sweet and smooth when brewed. Most Yushan High Mountain teas are cultivated with organic fertilisers, and the tea greens produced are of very high quality!
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4.Líshān High Mountain Tea – Taiwan High Mountain Tea Ranking
Lishan, Taichung, a pioneering high mountain tea area, has a high altitude, cool environment, and large temperature gap between day and night, which is conducive to the cultivation of tea trees.
The altitude of the Lishan high mountain tea area ranges from 1,800 to 2,500 metres, including Qilai Mountain, Jiayang, Cuifeng, Lishan, Wuling Farm, Dayuling and Fushou Mountain. Most of these are located in the Heping District of Taichung and the Dayuling tea area has the highest average altitude in Taiwan. The Lishan tea area has up to 3 harvest seasons annually, and Qingxin Oolong is the primary variety.
Due to the low night temperature and humidity, the tea leaves do not easily ferment, so careful monitoring is essential to avoid over-stirring during the tea making process. The appearance of Lishan High Mountain tea is emerald green, though the tea brew shares transparent honey, green, and yellow tones, with a light floral fruity aroma, and strong aftertaste.
5.Shanlinxi High Mountain Tea – Taiwan High Mountain Tea Ranking
Shanlinxi High Mountain Tea Area is mainly located in Zhushan and Lugu Township, Nantou County, with tea gardens at altitudes of 1000-1900 metres. Famous alpine tea areas include Yangziwan, Longfengxia, Dayan, Ruianan, Sanlouping, and Fanzitian.
There are large fir forests in Zhushan, surrounded by clouds and mist, with abundant annual rainfall and rich soil nutrients, so the cultivated tea leaves are thick, and have a unique fragrance of bamboo flowers. Next to the Shanlinxi high mountain tea area, there is another special tea – “Dongding Oolong Tea“.
Although it is located at an altitude of about 800 metres, which is not officially enough to be regarded as high mountain tea, Dongding Mountain in Nantou was already an early tea before the rise of high mountain tea!
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Advantages of High Mountain Oolong Tea
Why is it so that high mountain tea is praised by all tea-loving gourmets? The main reason is that high mountain instinctively lacks bitterness and prides a sweet aftertaste. Because the clouds and fog in the mountains help minimise sunlight, the caffeine content of high mountain tea is relatively low, well suited for afternoon and evening sessions.
“Shennong Ben Cao Jin” mentioned: “Shennong tasted a hundred herbs, encountered seventy-two poisons one day, and got one tea to solve them.” In terms of catechins in tea leaves, oolong tea is second only to green tea. If you are a person who feels uncomfortable in the stomach after drinking tea, try high mountain oolong tea as it will not cause any discomfort.
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Amidst the ethereal mist-kissed peaks of Taiwan, where emerald tea gardens touch the heavens, the High Mountain Tea Ranking is a whispered sonnet, a testament to nature’s artistry, where teas, like stars, gleam with unparalleled brilliance in this celestial realm.
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ABoxTik’s Taiwanese High Mountain Tea recommendation:
High mountain tea has always been the pride of Taiwan, an island with many mountains, growing excellent tea with high latitude temperature differences and a unique environment. ABoxTik carefully selects high mountain teas from several Taiwanese tea farms, each of which has its own precious and rare characteristics. Through the certification of the country of origin and the strict selection of brands, it is our mission and passion to introduce the best specialty products in Taiwan to everyone.