I will have to admit, I love top 10 lists. I also love this time of the year for all the retrospective TV shows that look back on the events of the last year. I think it is healthy to take a moment and look back into the rear view mirror. It gives us a better perspective of where we are now, what we’ve accomplished, and if we wish, move on to the next step: plan the route ahead (some call this resolutions). At least, it’s a process that can justify the infusion of some good leaves to help in the process of reviewing your notes and, most certainly, re-validate your selection! Now, of course, we do this for fun. And, of course, this a purely subjective list, and the comments are very personal as they reflect some of the highlights of my past year’s experience in Taiwan. Nonetheless, the comments are genuine and well thought out. Read more

 Today, Taiwan Tea Crafts proposes a short historical chronology to explain the presence, and rebirth, of Black Tea in Taiwan. There’s nothing like a good story to make us further appreciate the tea we are sipping, especially if you are drinking a superb black tea from Taiwan!
 

It may come as a surprise to many tea enthusiasts that only consider Taiwan as a source of magnificent oolongs, but Taiwan has also a long history of producing black teas that date back to the early 1920’s. Then under Japanese rule, Taiwan was chosen as the territory to launch an economic offensive to compete against the rule, if not the monopoly, of the British Empire over black tea. Why such a venture you may ask? We are not sure to be quite frank (in fact, we will research this further and get back to you on it). Nevertheless, Yuchi township, situated on the shores of the scenic Sun Moon Lake of central Taiwan, was chosen for it’s perfect climate and soil for the growing of Assamica tea bushes and build a successful black tea industry. Read more

 

It’s a grey foggy Sunday over the tea fields surrounding us at Taiwan Tea Crafts. What to do, what to do?… Well baking of course!… of tea, that is! Mmmm, the buttery caramelized aroma of roasted oolongs. To taste what comes out of our ovens try our Organic Dong Ding Oolong, Lot 134. Divine!