Ting-zai Tea has a pretty unique name, doesn’t it? What kind of tea is it? It’s a specialty tea from Taiwan made from tender leaves nibbled on by small insects in the tea gardens—the green leafhopper. Today, let’s take a quick one-minute dive into the secrets of Ting-zai Tea!
What is Ting-zai Tea?
“Thiann-á” is the Taiwanese term for the small green leafhopper. These tiny insects nibble on the tender leaves of the tea plants, triggering a special chemical reaction in the tea leaves. During the tea-making fermentation process, these compounds transform into a rich, ripe-fruit aroma—this is the defining characteristic of leafhopper tea! Building on this unique trait and applying different processing methods, leafhopper tea can be crafted into Oriental Beauty Tea (also known as Pengfeng tea), black tea, white tea, and even ball-shaped oolong. This means these teas gain an extra layer of “honey/ripe-fruit aroma” on top of their original flavor profile, transforming into exceptionally unique Honey Black Tea, honey white tea, and honey oolong. (The insect in the middle of the upper image is the leafhopper. The lower image shows tea leaves that have been bitten and curled up as a result)
How to Brew Leafhopper Tea
Brewing methods vary slightly depending on the type of leafhopper tea, but it doesn’t have to be complicated! Let’s take the most common Oriental Beauty and Honey Black Tea as examples:
Use 3 g of Oriental Beauty or Honey Black Tea in a teapot or cup. Pour in 100 ml of hot water at around 90°C, let it steep for 60 seconds, then pour out the tea and enjoy. For subsequent infusions, extend the steeping time by 20–30 seconds each time. A premium cup of leafhopper tea carries a distinct “leafhopper aroma”—a delicate blend of fruit and honey notes that keeps you coming back for sip after sip.
What is the Best Season for Leafhopper Tea?
Every year from May to June (around the Dragon Boat Festival) is the peak season for the small green leafhopper population, which is why leafhopper tea harvested during this time is of the highest quality. The finest Oriental Beauty and Honey Black Tea typically emerge in May and June, with prices potentially exceeding NT$4,000 per 600 g! Teas harvested in the secondary season from July to September are slightly lower in price, and while their “leafhopper aroma” is usually not as pronounced as the May-June harvest, the flavor remains exceptional.
Leafhopper tea is a perfect harmony of nature and Taiwanese tea-making craftsmanship. Whether it’s the elegant fruit notes of Oriental Beauty or the rich, sweet finish of Honey Black Tea, every single sip lets you taste the bounty of nature and the land. If you haven’t tried leafhopper tea yet, treat yourself to a cup today!