Tea Lover’s Inquiry: I’ve seen online sellers offering Hehuanshan Stream tea, but where is it actually produced? Where can I buy authentic Hehuanshan Stream tea, and how can I tell if it’s the real deal? Also, is NT$1,200 per 600 g a reasonable price for Hehuanshan Stream tea?
Hehuanshan Stream Tea Leaves
As the name suggests, Hehuanshan Stream tea is produced in the tea gardens along the slopes of the Hehuanshan Stream. The tea region spans Heping District in Taichung City and Ren’ai Township in Nantou County. The stream originates from Hehuanshan, flows past HuaGung, follows the Central Cross-Island Highway, and eventually flows into the Nanhu Stream and Dajia River near Qingquan Bridge close to the Huanshan Tribe. The tea-producing areas along this route are mainly limited to the upper reaches of HuaGung, the Lishan urban area, sections 82-90K of the Central Cross-Island Highway, Songmao Tribe, Tianfu Farm, and just above Qingquan Bridge. These are the only spots along the Hehuanshan Stream where tea is cultivated.
Reasonable Pricing for Hehuanshan Stream Tea
However, all of these locations fall into the “ultra-premium price tea category.” Wholesale prices for spring and winter teas start at NT$4,000 for the upper reaches of HuaGung, and from NT$2,500 for areas like Lishan, Central Cross-Island Highway 82-90K, Songmao Tribe, Tianfu Farm, and above Qingquan Bridge. Keep in mind these are wholesale prices for tea merchants; retail prices generally start around NT$3,500, with the most expensive upper HuaGung and water source areas reaching close to NT$10,000 retail. Even lower-quality autumn teas retail for upwards of NT$1,500. No matter how you look at it, tea selling at NT$1,200 per 600 g is unlikely to be genuine Hehuanshan Stream tea.
If you’re looking to buy authentic Hehuanshan Stream tea, you can visit the tea regions mentioned above and purchase directly from the tea factories. Alternatively, you can buy from Liao Chang Xing, as both Biluxi tea and upper HuaGung tea belong to the Hehuanshan Stream tea family.
