Customer Inquiry: What is a reasonable price for Dayuling tea? I’ve seen some very cheap options on the market—hand-picked 150g packages for just NT$230, and 300g or 600g for only NT$400 and NT$700, respectively, with guarantees that it’s authentic Dayuling tea. Is this kind of pricing even possible?
Chang-Hsing Tea: Dayuling tea is known for its exceptional quality, limited yield, and distinct mountain aroma. Because it’s so popular, Dayuling tea isn’t cheap. Taking the 2013 spring harvest as an example, the wholesale price for entry-level Dayuling tea was around NT$4,000, while the highest-grade wholesale price reached about NT$8,000. Due to tea garden reclamation policies, Dayuling tea prices are likely to continue rising in the future.
Dayuling tea wholesale prices range from NT$4,000 to NT$8,000 per 18 kg (30 jin). Based on this, a reasonable market price should be between NT$5,500 and NT$12,000. If a tea shop is selling it for less than NT$5,500, it’s likely not authentic. Those prices you see on the market—NT$230 for 150g, NT$400 for 300g, and NT$700 for 600g—won’t even buy you standard hand-picked tea from the lowlands, let alone Dayuling tea.
▲ Dayuling tea has a low yield and high demand, with wholesale prices starting above NT$4,000. A reasonable market retail price should fall between NT$5,500 and NT$12,000.
Currently, much of the Dayuling tea on the market is inauthentic or blended with teas from other regions. Before buying Dayuling tea, consumers should clearly inquire about the origin and harvest season, and then judge authenticity based on the price. It is best to go with someone experienced in drinking it and purchase from a reputable tea merchant to avoid buying fake Dayuling tea.
2022 Update: Due to shrinking tea-growing areas and reduced yields, the wholesale price for Dayuling tea is NT$5,000–$7,000. Single-origin pure Dayuling tea retails for over NT$10,000.