News
Spring Harvest 2014 Report #3 - First Sips, Jin Xuan Oolong
Last week, we tasted samples of two different batches Jin Xuan Oolong grown at 1000 plus meters elevation in Meishan, Chiayi County that were harvested and processed last week.
Spring Harvest 2014 Report #2 - Mid-Harvest
Lower elevation areas (Mingjian, Nantou) and southern areas (Meishan, Chiayi) have already been harvesting for the last 2-3 weeks.
Spring Harvest 2014 Report #1 - Winter into Spring
The weather this spring started out cold and dry – basically an extended winter season. This delayed the growing season of spring tea, particularly at higher elevations and in more northern areas.
Seasonal Shifts And Their Effects On Our Brew
The challenges of farming tea are similar to farm challenges everywhere, but how do those variables affect the brew in my cup?
Top 5 Reasons Why Eco-Cha Is Committed To Sharing Tea
1. We are in a life-long love affair with tea and tea culture.
What's Your Experience Of A Fine Brew? Lu Tong Says - Immortality
I took this photos some years ago on my way to one of my favorite mountain getaways, Dong Pu Hot Springs in Nantou County, Taiwan.
Review: Eco-Cha Intro to Oolong 3 Pack Reviewed by An International Tea Moment
An International Tea Moment has a very interesting review up on 'The Implications of Roasting'. The Eco-Cha 3 Pack comes with an unroasted, a lightly roasted, and a heavily roasted tea.
The Quest for Oriental Beauty
For many years I’ve wanted to venture north, out of my familiar playground of Dong Ding and High Mountain Oolong Country in Central Taiwan, to explore the heart of the famous and ever more popular Oriental Beauty Oolong Tea in Emei, Hsinchu County.
Jin Xuan Oolong: Naturally Buttery Tea
This spring crop has the classic buttery notes of a Jin Xuan Oolong with underlying sweet vegetal and woody qualities. The flavor is buttery, nutty, and savory - balanced by the smooth astringent "original Oolong" qualities that offer a clean, fragrant finish.
Returning From Heaven: Phoenix Mountain Offerings
Last week, in the first days of the Chinese New Year, I didn’t have a chance to visit my friend who provides us with our Dong Ding Oolong Tea. So today, I made a point of making it to his home during these final days of the holiday. When I arrived, my friend – who chose the English name Young, was holding the first draft of his English translation of a poem that a friend posted on his FB page. This poem was written by a friend in response to a photo that Young had taken on the ninth day of the Chinese New Year when he went to the local temple to make traditional offerings.
New Year's Blessings On The Newly Planted Garden
We took this photo on New Year's Day last week, when we visited this newly planted garden that will be harvested for the first time this spring.
This farmer first showed us how Dong Ding Oolong Tea was made about 18 years ago.
We plan to procure tea from this new young crop that is surrounded by forest and cultivated sustainably.