ORIGIN
Yuchi Township, in the heart of Taiwan, is famously known for its stunning Sun Moon Lake, but it also boasts a rich tea heritage that often goes unnoticed. The area is home to the oldest Taiwanese black tea plantation and the longest-operating Ceylon tea factory in the country, highlighting a significant yet lesser-known aspect of Taiwan's agricultural history. The roots of black tea cultivation in Taiwan trace back to around 1923 during the Japanese colonial era. The Japanese introduced new tea varieties and began experimenting with cultivation in several regions, including Taipei, Taitung, and Hualien. In their explorations, the Japanese colonists discovered Yuchi Township, characterized by its gentle, low hills well-suited for agricultural pursuits. Here, they introduced the Assam tea variety, which has roots in India. With favorable cultivation conditions, black tea production soared, predominantly aimed at international markets rather than the local populace. The aromatic beverage was largely accessible only to the upper class.
The Yuchi Branch of the Tea Research and Extension Station, established in 1936 on Maolan Mountain, played a pivotal role in reviving the region's struggling tea industry. Their mission was to preserve and promote the Indian Assam variety, a task they accomplished through the concerted efforts of both local and central government. This collaborative approach bore fruit, and Yuchi's black tea began to flourish once more, eventually becoming a symbol of the region. Today, Nantou black tea, especially the rich Assam black tea and the distinctive No. 18 Formosa black tea, is celebrated domestically and internationally for its unique flavors.
The history of this tea started in 1999 when Taiwan Tea Research and Extension Station (TRES) created a special cultivar, a hybrid of Taiwanese wild and Burmese Assamica varietals. During the next few years, red tea from this cultivar earned a lot of attention and became Taiwan's most successful red tea. Red Jade from Nantou county, also known as 'Sun Moon Lake,' has a more full-bodied and robust flavor than other areas. This tea is famous for its complex honey-like and spicy taste with a menthol hint. Highest mastery of red tea and, without a doubt, one of the most unique red teas on the planet.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry tea leaves exude a delicate, sweet fragrance with hints of honey, fruit, and baked goods. Upon warming, the aroma transforms into a medley of raspberry, marmalade, and honey, with subtle undertones of dried apple and cinnamon. Rinsing the tea leaves further enhances their character, releasing a sweet, berry-like scent with notes of ice cream and bubble gum. The taste is robust and full-bodied, with a unique spicy aftertaste reminiscent of pepper and eucalyptus. The infusion takes on a rich brown hue with red undertones, a visual testament to the tea's complex flavors.