Located in New Taipei City’s Shimen District, the Shimen tea region is renowned for its Tieguanyin tea. It is one of only two Tieguanyin-producing areas in Taiwan and by far the largest. With 130 hectares of cultivation and an annual output of about 60,000 kg, Shimen Tieguanyin is exceptionally popular in Taiwan and exported to overseas markets such as Japan and the United States.
Although situated near the coast, the Shimen area benefits from being on the leeward side, making it ideal for tea cultivation. In 1919 (the 8th year of the Republic era), the “Yingzhi Hongxin” (Hard-Stemmed Red Heart) cultivar was introduced to produce Baozhong tea. However, due to its sturdy branches and low bud yield, the Baozhong tea lacked market competitiveness. In 1981, working in collaboration with the Tea Research and Extension Station, local farmers introduced the Tieguanyin processing method and tailored it to the local climate. The resulting Shimen Tieguanyin yields a rich, smooth, and sweet liquor with subtle fruity acidity, making it a favorite among consumers. Today, Shimen District stands as Taiwan’s largest Tieguanyin production region.