Last April, I was in China for a short tea sourcing trip. The main purpose of this trip was to visit my father in law in Huangshan. He happens to own a tea garden and factory in the middle of one of the mythical tea terroirs of China. You might have heard of Huang Shan Mao Feng Green Tea? Yet, this not tea that he makes at his garden. You see, my father in law is Taiwanese and a pioneer in his own discreet but original way. He chose to plant Taiwanese cultivars to make Taiwanese style teas right in the middle of China. And to add to the challenge, he decided to go organic right from the start, over 12 years ago. Now that’s what I call a true pioneering spirit! And very often, pioneers don’t have it so easy. This is even more the case when you’re a Taiwanese tea maker making tea in China. This blog entry is my humble way to pay homage to him and his oeuvre.
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As we travel around our beautiful island visiting tea producing friends, we always make a point of stopping by interesting shops for a cup and chat here and there. Last time we were in Pinglin, right in the heart of the famous Bao Zhong tea producing area of the Wen Shans, we visited a shop that has been there for 3 generations now, and is a must stop when in Pinglin. There is so much history inside these walls, and very friendly people as well! How can you find this shop? Simple. As you arrive in Pinglin from the old road that twists through the mountains from Taipei, make your way to the central plaza where the most recognizable landmark of the perpetually pouring Big Teapot will signal you to look to your left. Move in the direction the spout is pointing, and there they are! Read more
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