The 2026 high mountain winter tea harvest has begun! Here’s an update on this year’s winter crop～
It was a bit cooler this September, so the full harvest started 2 to 3 days later than usual. But starting a bit later is actually good news! Based on past experience, cooler weather means the tea trees grow slower, allowing the leaves to accumulate more nutrients. The resulting tea is usually much richer and fuller. I’ve been chatting with several tea farmers and masters over the last few days, and everyone is quite optimistic about this season.
That said, there is one minor downside: September saw very little rain, with bright sunshine almost every single day after September 8th. With a lack of moisture, fertilizers don’t break down easily, and the tea trees can’t absorb them properly. Tea plantations with less adequate irrigation systems will have a tougher time this season, and quality might vary.
High mountain tea plantations around Lishan and Renai Township have started harvesting over the past few days, and the freshly picked tea leaves (cha-ching) are looking fantastic! Ultimately, though, whether the tea is truly great depends on the finished product. We’ll be tasting batch by batch, hoping to secure some exceptional teas. Once we confirm we have the good stuff, we’ll let you know right away!
That’s all for now. Thank you for your continued support, tea lovers～