Taiwanese High Mountain Tea

Tea (Camellia sinensis)Oolongstyle

Taiwanese high-mountain tea, or gaoshan tea, is a group of oolongs associated with elevated growing areas such as Alishan, Lishan and other central mountain regions. It is a growing identity rather than one cultivar.

How taiwanese high mountain tea is prepared

Infused as a leaf tea, often over repeated steepings. The specific growing area and processing offer more useful brewing guidance than altitude alone.

Cold Brewing

Beverages using this technique · 1
Royal Blue Tea
Fall in Love
Still amber0% ABV
prepared as Cold-Brewed Taiwanese High Mountain Tea

Royal Blue Tea uses Cold-Brewed Taiwanese High Mountain Tea in Fall in Love: taiwanese High Mountain Tea infused in cold water.[5][6][7][8]

In depth

A family of mountain teas

Gaoshan means high mountain. The term covers several Taiwanese growing areas, commonly described as about 1,000 metres or higher. Alishan, Lishan and other mountain names make that identity more specific. High-mountain tea is therefore a useful umbrella, and includes several distinct regional tea identities.[1][2]

Cultivar and landscape together

Taiwan’s high mountain gardens grow multiple cultivars, including Qingxin Oolong and Jin Xuan. Temperature changes, mist and the pace of leaf growth contribute to the tea’s character alongside the plant and processing. A shared mountain category does not mean every tea uses the same cultivar or tastes the same.[3][2]

Processing still makes a difference

High-mountain oolongs can be lightly oxidized and lightly roasted, or given more substantial roasting. The result can range from fresh and floral to warmer roasted styles. The geographic name alone therefore does not tell us the complete production method; that detail belongs with the actual tea.[2][4]

Infusion and comparison

Repeated steepings are common in oolong preparation and allow a tea’s aroma and texture to change across pours. Comparing named mountain teas can make differences in cultivar and processing easier to notice. The mountain name, cultivar and processing together give a fuller picture of the tea than altitude alone.[4][3]

Part of Oolong Tea

References

  1. [1]EncyclopediaHigh-mountain tea — Wikipedia↑§1
  2. [2]EncyclopediaTaiwanese tea — Wikipedia↑§1↑§2↑§3
  3. [3]governmentSavoring Taiwan: A Journey Along the Tea Trail — Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, Taiwan↑§2↑§4
  4. [4]EncyclopediaOolong — Wikipedia↑§3↑§4
  5. [5]Produceronline.royalbluetea.com↑prepared
  6. [6]Instagram@royalbluetea.japan — Mar 14, 2017↑prepared
  7. [7]Instagram@royalbluetea.japan — Feb 8, 2019↑prepared
  8. [8]Instagram@royalbluetea.japan — Oct 28, 2019↑prepared