Tea culture in Taiwan
In Taiwan, tea is not just a beverage, but also an important part of culture and daily life. Traditional tea ceremonies have been around since the 19th century, when tea culture was introduced to Taiwan and customs and practices were passed down from generation to generation. These ceremonies are not simply about making and enjoying tea, but also symbolize a unique lifestyle, philosophy and art.
One of the most important elements of the traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony is the way the tea is brewed. It is not simply a matter of pouring hot water over tea leaves, but a meticulous and deliberate process that requires precision and skill. The first step is to wash the tea leaves to remove impurities. Then, the tea leaves are carefully placed in a teapot or gaiwan, and hot water is poured over them. The tea is steeped for a few seconds, before being poured into small porcelain cups, each cup being rinsed with hot water several times. This both cleans and prevents the flavors from the previous tea from mixing, and keeps the tea hot.
Why is spring the ideal time to enjoy tea?
According to Eastern culture, a year has 24 solar terms, each term lasts for 15 days, and each season has 6 different solar terms. In Spring, the 6 solar terms include:
- Lap Xuan (beginning of Spring): February 4-5
- Vu Thuy (wet rain): February 18-19
- Kinh Trap (hatchling): March 5-6
- Spring Equinox (mid-Spring): March 20-21
- Qingming (clear sky): April 4-5
- Gu Yu (showers): April 20-21
For tea growers, the period from Jing Trap to Gu Yu is the ideal time to harvest spring tea. After the dormant period, the tea plants accumulate nutrients, allowing the young buds to grow vigorously. These buds contain many nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins and proteins, making spring tea the highest quality harvest of the year.
Spring is also an ideal time for tea tasting, associated with festivals and unique cultural experiences. The Pinglin Tea Festival, where visitors can participate in tea picking, tea roasting and tea brewing using traditional methods, and famous tea farms such as Alishan and Sun Moon Lake, offer tea tours that help visitors gain an in-depth understanding of the tea processing process. The Maokong area in Taipei also attracts tea lovers with its mountain teahouses, where cultural exchanges and tea tasting are held in a beautiful natural space. This combination not only enriches the experience but also helps visitors fully feel the spirit of Taiwanese tea ceremony.
Famous Taiwanese Spring Teas
Alishan tea is renowned for its buttery, smooth and easy-drinking taste – making it the most famous name in Taiwan’s world-famous high-mountain oolong teas. Alishan is a high-mountain tea growing region and the first of the three spring tea harvests. It also has the warmest and sunniest climate, which gives Alishan tea its distinctive character.
Four Seasons Oolong, also known as Four Seasons of Spring, is a rather interesting variety of oolong tea from Taiwan. It is grown for harvest all year round (most Taiwanese teas are only harvested in the spring), hence the name. Although Four Seasons Oolong is popular in Taiwan and is available in every tea shop, it is not really popular in the West. It is also classified as a high mountain tea and is usually grown in the Alishan region or Nantou County. Its flavor is light, sweet and creamy, with a floral aroma reminiscent of jasmine.
Pinglin, a picturesque rural area in the southeast of New Taipei City, is one of Taiwan's top tea-producing areas and the center of the region's renowned Baozhong tea. Pinglin's tea harvest season takes place in the spring, when the area's terraced plantations are lush green, creating stunning views. The tea is also known as "flower tea" because of its distinctive aroma.
Teahouses worth visiting in Taiwan
To fully experience Taiwanese tea culture from traditional to modern, below are some outstanding tea shops that you should not miss when coming to Taiwan:
Hermit's Hut (Taipei)
Address: No. 15, Alley 46, Lane 553, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei 110, Taiwan
Modern tea house with minimalist design, creating a peaceful space ideal for tea drinking. The shop serves special white teas from its own collection, along with organic and local teas. Especially in the evening, you can enjoy cocktails made with tea. The staff is ready to guide you through the traditional tea ceremony.
Zhao Zhao Tea Lounge (Taichung)
Address: No. 22, Alley 66, Lane 79, Section 1, Xiangshang Rd, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan
The tea shop is located in a 1950s apartment, renovated in a minimalist style with concrete, wood and glass, creating an airy space. Visitors can enjoy tea and feel the aroma right in the central tea roasting area.
Jiufen Tea House (New Taipei)
Address: No. 142, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City 22448, Taiwan
Housed in a building over 100 years old, Jiufen Tea House has a unique space with an outdoor courtyard and an octagonal glass tea room. This is an ideal destination for those who love tea, historical architecture and travel.
South Street Delight Tea House (Taipei)
Address: No. 67, 2nd Floor, Section 1, Dihua Street, Datong District, Taipei City 103, Taiwan
A cozy tea house with a blend of history and art. Refined interiors, antique furniture and handcrafted tea sets from Taiwan and Japan create a special tea-drinking space, perfect for those who love sophistication and tranquility.
Enjoying spring tea in Taiwan is not only an opportunity to discover the delicate flavors of tea, but also a journey to immerse yourself in the slow pace of life, enjoy the fresh spring colors and fresh air. Each cup of tea, whether in a traditional or modern teahouse, carries within it the story of Taiwan's land and sky, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste in the heart of the tea drinker.
