Alishan JinXuan tea is typically grown at altitudes between 800 and 1,200 meters. Due to varying origins and altitudes, as well as differences in quality among spring, summer, autumn, winter, and Winter Sprout Oolong teas, prices vary significantly. Generally, spring and winter teas are the most expensive, while summer and autumn teas are the most affordable.
Alishan JinXuan tea is primarily produced in Meishan Township and Zhuqi Township, where the quality is also the finest. For hand-picked teas, wholesale prices generally range from NT$1,200 to NT$2,000 per 600 g. Other factors include harvest season and altitude—winter tea tends to be more expensive than spring tea, and high-altitude tea costs more than low-altitude tea. If the annual yield is low, prices may increase by about 20%.
Autumn and summer teas are considerably more budget-friendly. Because summer and autumn teas grow faster, their quality and flavor profile fall short of spring and winter teas, resulting in lower price points. To cut production costs, many farmers use machine harvesting for summer and autumn crops, allowing for even greater flexibility in pricing. More affordable machine-harvested summer tea has a wholesale price of just NT$500 to NT$700 per 600 g, while autumn tea is slightly pricier, available for under NT$900 per 600 g.
In addition to the four standard seasons, milder winters in recent years have also led to the production of Winter Sprout Oolong for Alishan JinXuan tea. JinXuan tea bushes are exceptionally robust; if November weather remains warm enough, an extra harvest cycle can occur, producing Winter Sprout Oolong. Alishan JinXuan Winter Sprout Oolong offers delightful aroma and a smooth finish, making it very popular, with wholesale prices generally ranging between NT$1,200 and NT$1,500 per 600 g.