Our Favorite Teas
Although Taiwan produces black, green, oolong and white teas, it is particularly known for its amazing high mountain oolongs. These teas are grown at elevations of over 1000 meters, and the cool, wet weather combines with the high altitude to imbue the leaves with a rich, complex flavor which is unmatched anywhere in the world.
There are dozens of varieties available, but we here at 8 Fold Tea focus on only a few. Some of our favorites are listed below, but each season our selection will depend on the best teas available. Sign up for notification here.
Shan Ling Shi
Shan Ling Shi is a mountainous area in Nantou county in the south of the island. Some of the best tea in all of Taiwan is produced here, due to high elevations and foggy, cool weather year round. Mostly hand picked, this tea can be fantastic, with a richness and sweetly floral quality which differentiate it from other the teas from other areas in Taiwan.
Long Feng Sha
Long Feng Sha oolong is the finest tea grown in the Shan Ling Shi mountain area. Taking it's name from the Long Feng Sha canyon where it grows at an elevation of nearly 2000 meters, the tea is entirely hand picked and hand processed in small quantities. It has a rich, lightly floral fragrance, and the flavor is unmatched. Long Feng Sha is currently our favorite tea.
Jin Xuan
Jin Xuan (Mandarin for "Golden Lily") is an oolong varietal developed in the early 1980s in Taiwan. Renowned for its creamy, almost buttery flavor, the best types of this tea can be delicious. Although some types of Jin Xuan are flavored by being steamed with actual milk, we prefer the natural, unflavored type. The tea is produced in several areas of Taiwan, with some of the best Jin Xuan coming from Ali Shan and Mei Shan mountains.
Bi Lou Chuen
This famous green tea whose name means "Green Spring Snail" is originally from Dongting mountain in Jiangsu, China. Bi Lou Chuen is easily recognized by its delicate white hairs and light, fruity taste. In the early 20th century cutting of the plant were brought to Taiwan where it has been cultivated ever since. It is usually picked as a single leaf with a bud.
There are dozens of varieties available, but we here at 8 Fold Tea focus on only a few. Some of our favorites are listed below, but each season our selection will depend on the best teas available. Sign up for notification here.
Shan Ling Shi
Shan Ling Shi is a mountainous area in Nantou county in the south of the island. Some of the best tea in all of Taiwan is produced here, due to high elevations and foggy, cool weather year round. Mostly hand picked, this tea can be fantastic, with a richness and sweetly floral quality which differentiate it from other the teas from other areas in Taiwan.
Long Feng Sha
Long Feng Sha oolong is the finest tea grown in the Shan Ling Shi mountain area. Taking it's name from the Long Feng Sha canyon where it grows at an elevation of nearly 2000 meters, the tea is entirely hand picked and hand processed in small quantities. It has a rich, lightly floral fragrance, and the flavor is unmatched. Long Feng Sha is currently our favorite tea.
Jin Xuan
Jin Xuan (Mandarin for "Golden Lily") is an oolong varietal developed in the early 1980s in Taiwan. Renowned for its creamy, almost buttery flavor, the best types of this tea can be delicious. Although some types of Jin Xuan are flavored by being steamed with actual milk, we prefer the natural, unflavored type. The tea is produced in several areas of Taiwan, with some of the best Jin Xuan coming from Ali Shan and Mei Shan mountains.
Bi Lou Chuen
This famous green tea whose name means "Green Spring Snail" is originally from Dongting mountain in Jiangsu, China. Bi Lou Chuen is easily recognized by its delicate white hairs and light, fruity taste. In the early 20th century cutting of the plant were brought to Taiwan where it has been cultivated ever since. It is usually picked as a single leaf with a bud.