Oolong stands as Taiwan's flagship tea, the variety most recognized internationally as quintessentially Taiwanese. From north to south, distinct tea-making techniques, craftsmanship, history, and culture have given birth to different tea varieties and flavor profiles: the elongated baozhong teas of Keelung and Taipei's rolling hills, the prized Oriental Beauty (white-tip oolong) in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli counties, the tightly rolled oolongs of central and southern regions, and the black teas and red oolongs of the eastern counties.

While Taiwan's tea heritage traces back to ancient Chinese drinking culture, many varieties arrived through cross-strait migration. In 1860, Scottish merchant John Dodd arrived in Taiwan for the first time, bringing oolong seedlings from Fujian province. His "Formosa Oolong" became a sensation in Western markets, and exported it in large quantities to Europe and America.

"Formosa Oolong" Claims International Premium Status

The 1894 publication Tea and Tea Blending lavished praise on Formosa oolong, declaring its flavor profile had surpassed even the renowned oolongs of Xiamen and Fuzhou—earning recognition as the era's finest tea and the title "prince of flavoring teas."

Taiwan tea's modernization journey began during the Japanese colonial period. Starting in 1899, authorities intensified cultivation and promotion, establishing scientific research institutions including tea experimentation stations and breeding units. Today, oolong competitions have become fierce battlegrounds—champion teas command over one million Taiwan dollars (New Taiwan dollars) per jin (600 grams), with buyers literally arriving cash-in-hand to secure their prize.

While Japan adapted Chinese traditions into its distinctive tea ceremony culture, Taiwan has continued refining its own uniquely Taiwanese tea culture. Recent trends include elaborate tea settings and tea-paired dining experiences—featuring premium teas worth hundreds of thousands of NT dollars, with each tea thoughtfully matched to a single dish, emphasizing refined taste and sophistication. Taiwan tea is now striding boldly toward the world's luxury market pinnacle.