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March, 1, 2024

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Traditional vs. Roasted Dong Ding Oolong Tea

We did a side by side tasting of our Traditional Dong Ding Oolong Tea and our Dong Ding Oolong Tea. We now procure both of these selections from the same source. Currently, our Traditional Dong Ding Oolong Tea is from spring 2023 harvest and our Dong Ding Oolong Tea is from winter 2023 harvest. So they are two different seasonal harvests from the same farm and made in the same way by the same craftsman. So, other than the difference in seasonal harvests, the only significant difference between them is that the traditional version is left unroasted, whereas the standard Dong Ding Oolong is roasted. Continue reading
February, 23, 2024

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Central Taiwan Lantern Festival 2024

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuan Xiao Festival (元宵節), is a highly anticipated and celebrated event in Taiwan. This festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations and is observed on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This year, the Lantern Festival will be celebrated on February 24 and we wanted to share with you some of the festivities on the ground. Read more to find out! Continue reading
November, 6, 2023

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How To Use A Professional Tea Judging Set

The Professional Tea Judging Set is essential teaware for being able to assess whole leaf tea efficiently and thoroughly. Let's take a look at what's included, and how it can be used to enhance your experience and understanding of tea. Continue reading
October, 26, 2023

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Muzha Tie Guan Yin Oolong

We just recently put our spring 2023 batch of Tie Guan Yin Oolong on the shelf. We purposely allowed it to rest for more than four months before packaging it up to put in the store. This allows the roast to settle and mellow, bringing forth a more complex and refined flavor profile. We are always impressed at how this tea brews a luminescent rich copper-toned brew — portraying the skill and finesse of how it was roasted several times for a total of about 50 hours. Continue reading
September, 26, 2023

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Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong Tea | Fall 2023

Although there was a light, wispy fog up at the tea garden by 10 a.m. on the day of harvest, the leaves were transported down the mountain — from 1500m on the farm to about 700m elevation at the factory. It was a warm and sunny day in the village where the leaves were processed, offering optimal withering conditions. The character of the brewed tea is a classic fall batch — not overly fragrant, but substantial in both its aromatic and flavor profile. A smooth, balanced brew that results from tender leaf material and skillful processing.  Continue reading
September, 13, 2023

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Alishan High Mountain Jin Xuan Oolong Tea Fall 2023

Alishan High Mountain Jin Xuan Oolong was the first of three different types of tea we cupped last week on our fall 2023 sourcing trip to Alishan Tea Country. Of the three batches of Alishan Jin Xuan being brewed above, we chose the one with the most pronounced buttery/creamy note that is characteristic of the Jin Xuan/Tai Cha #12 cultivar — also known as "milk oolong". This batch was also the most oxidized — resulting in a full bodied, balanced brew. Continue reading
September, 12, 2023

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Alishan High Mountain Oolong Tea Fall 2023

It was quite the tea cupping when we visited our source of both Alishan and Li Shan High Mountain Oolong to taste the recent fall harvest. We cupped three different types of tea overall, drinking tea for about three hours straight! But for now, we'll focus on Alishan High Mountain Oolong Tea — fall harvest. Continue reading
September, 9, 2023

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Ghost Festival in Taiwan: A Spectacular Display of Customs and Traditions

Taiwan, a land of vibrant culture and rich traditions, is no stranger to unique customs and celebrations. One such captivating event is the Ghost Festival, known as 中元節 (Zhongyuan Festival), which takes place during the seventh month of the lunar calendar. This month-long celebration culminates on the 15th day when the gates of hell are believed to be thrown open, allowing restless spirits to roam freely on the earthly plane. Continue reading
July, 17, 2023

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Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong Tea Summer 2023

The tea garden that produced our summer 2023 batch of Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong is an especially foresty plot of tea — especially in its current state! The owner of this plot of tea initially planted a lot of trees that have grown to nearly full size. The tea trees themselves have also been allowed to grow taller than usual, and were not trimmed after spring harvest.

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July, 5, 2023

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Alishan High Mountain Oolong Summer 2023

We are excited to present a fine batch of Alishan High Mountain Oolong Tea — summer 2023! Taiwan has had much better weather during the second flush growing season, following drought conditions in early spring. And the weather during summer harvest has been auspiciously sunny! Continue reading
May, 31, 2023

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Li Shan High Mountain Oolong Spring Tea 2023

Spring harvest of Li Shan High Mountain Oolong Tea produced better results than perhaps anywhere else on Taiwan this year. This is due to the fact that the Li Shan tea producing region is at the highest elevation, making it the latest harvest in spring and the earliest harvest in winter. Continue reading
May, 12, 2023

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Traditional Dong Ding Oolong Spring 2023

We snapped the photo above as we finally sat down after our work was done, and watched the sun rise over the ridge below Phoenix Mountain in Lugu, Taiwan. The third and final shift of processing the spring crop of Traditional Dong Ding Oolong Tea began at midnight and was completed as the sun rose. Continue reading
May, 3, 2023

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Alishan High Mountain Oolong Spring Tea 2023

Our Alishan High Mountain Oolong Tea is cultivated on a residential farm, run by a husband and wife team, with their own factory, and surrounded by forest. This couple is most closely aligned with Eco-Cha's premise of sustainability in their farming and tea production practice. We are excited to put their Oolong Tea back on our menu this spring!

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April, 28, 2023

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Oolong Tea Roasted Over 3 Weeks vs. 3 Years

What's the difference between an Oolong tea that's been roasted for over three weeks versus one roasted over three years? We did a taste test of two of our roasted Taiwanese teas to find out! Continue reading to find out what we discovered! Continue reading
March, 30, 2023

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Qing Ming Festival Weather Update

Normally, this holiday also marks the beginning of spring harvest in central Taiwan's largest tea producing regions. Due to the lack of rain thus far in 2023, the spring tea growing season has been delayed. The tea growing areas in northern Taiwan seem to be getting enough rain however, and spring harvest is on schedule for Sanxia's Bi Luo Chun, Pinglin's Wenshan Baozhong, and Muzha's Tie Guan Yin Oolong.

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March, 3, 2023

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Eco-Cha Tea Club: Your Specialty Taiwanese Tea Source

The Eco-Cha Tea Club is not just about the rare batches of specialty tea we find and share. It's an ongoing story of Taiwan's tea culture and professional tea industry. The blogs we publish with each batch of tea, along with a tasting video, tell the story of where the tea was grown, the terroir, the tea makers, and more. The Tea Club offers tea lovers around the world an ongoing education and virtual tour of the world of Taiwanese tea. Continue reading
February, 23, 2023

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Tea Friends In Taiwan | Eco-Cha Teas

Yesterday, while drinking tea in the home of our source of Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong Tea in Lugu, we came up with a plan for an outing the following day. We called our friends who produce our Eco-Farmed High Mountain Oolong Tea, to ask if we could visit for tea the following day. They readily welcomed us, suggesting that we have a soak in their family-owned hot spring along the way. We thought that was a splendid idea!

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February, 15, 2023

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Innovative Ways to Use Oolong Tea in Your Cocktails and Kitchen | Eco-Cha Teas

Oolong tea is known for its rich, complex flavors, and aromas, and it is increasingly being used in cocktails and other creative recipes. If you are a fan of Oolong tea and are looking for new and interesting ways to enjoy it, here are some ideas for incorporating it into your culinary experience.

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January, 31, 2023

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Roasted Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong Fall 2022 | Eco-Cha Teas

The above garden is our ongoing source of Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong. In July of last year, we began offering a roasted version of our all-time favorite High Mountain Oolong in our limited edition tea series. Read the blogpost here. We initially shared that batch of tea with the Eco-Cha Tea Club, then offered the remaining amount as a limited edition. Continue reading
January, 20, 2023

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Top 10 Most Popular Taiwanese Teas in 2022 | Eco-Cha Teas

In 2022, our most popular teas represented a diverse selection that showcase the range of flavors and aromas available within the world of Taiwanese Tea. From heavy roast oolongs to a light green tea, there is something for every tea lover in this list. Read on to see what were our top 10 most popular teas for 2022! Continue reading
January, 5, 2023

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Li Shan High Mountain Oolong Winter 2022 | Eco-Cha Teas

The photo above shows all three Li Shan High Mountain Oolong harvests of 2022. Our spring batch is on the left, late summer in the middle, and winter on the right. It was an educational as much as an enjoyable experience to brew each of our Li Shan 2022 batches side by side. Tasting each one brought to mind the growing seasons and harvest conditions of each, and simultaneously brewing them distinguished their differences. Continue reading
December, 17, 2022

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Bi Luo Chun and Baozhong Winter 2022 | Eco-Cha Teas

We procured our winter 2022 batches of Sanxia Bi Luo Chun and Wenshan Baozhong Teas at about the same time. Since these teas are produced in close geographical proximity, and share a deep cultural history, we decided to brew them simultaneously to offer a perspective on how they compare and contrast with each other. Continue reading
September, 26, 2022

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High Mountain Oolong Summer/Fall Harvests 2022 | Eco-Cha Teas

Taiwan High Mountain Oolong Teas are typically harvested 3 or 4 times a year. Between the most popular spring and winter harvests, there are usually summer and/or fall crops. In recent years, we've been dedicated to sourcing these "in between" harvests as much as possible. We do this for two reasons. Continue reading
September, 13, 2022

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Taiwan Oolong Tea vs. Coffee: Which Has Less Caffeine?

Many people start their day with a cup of coffee or tea. Most folks do this for the instant jolt of energy that caffeine brings. Caffeine is a great for a quick pick up, but too much can be bad for you. Looking for the drink with a little less caffeine? In this article, we compare Taiwan Oolong teas with coffee to see which has less caffeine. Continue reading
September, 8, 2022

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Limited Edition Tea Series | Eco-Cha Teas

We proudly announce our Limited Edition series of Eco-Cha Teas! This exclusive selection is comprised of teas that are both top quality and limited in supply. Some are teas that we've offered previously and some are new additions to our in-store menu. All of them represent Taiwan's tea culture and world class professionalism.

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