High Mountain Taiwan Oolong Tea

Taiwanese High Mountain tea refers to oolong tea harvested from plantations more than 1000 meters in elevation. Higher elevations have become synonymous with higher-quality tea. Nowadays, the most famous high-mountain growing regions are Yu Shan (1400m), Ali Shan (1600m), Shan Lin Xi (1700m) and Li Shan (2500m).

The majority of Taiwanese oolong tea is produced from Qing xin trees, which are very sensitive trees and get sick easily. As Taiwan started to prosper in the 1970s, tea culture grew in popularity, farming started to increase and production was moved into higher altitudes where Qing xin trees thrive. Higher altitude farms receive less sunlight and the tea leaves therefore respond well to light oxidation.