Masters of Tea's Essence: Tea Sommeliers—Revitalizing Taiwan's Tea Culture
In Eastern culture, tea is woven into the very fabric of daily life, yet Taiwan's remarkable tea culture has flourished for just over a century. When Han Chinese immigrants first planted tea seeds during the Ming and Qing dynasties, they could hardly have imagined the aromatic empire they were creating. Under Japanese colonial rule, oolong tea emerged as Taiwan's star export, establishing the island's reputation as a producer of world-class leaves that would captivate palates across the globe. The post-war era ushered in the golden age of competition teas, with legendary varieties like Dong Ding Oolong, Wenshan Baozhong, and Alishan High Mountain Tea claiming their place as Taiwan's ambassadors of flavor. Today, as a new generation of tea masters—known as tea sommeliers—breathes fresh life into ancient traditions, Taiwan's tea culture is experiencing a renaissance that marries time-honored craftsmanship with innovative artistry. (Photo source: iStock)