Alishan High Mountain Tea is one of Taiwan’s three major high mountain teas. Its primary production areas are located in Meishan Township, Zhuqi Township, and Alishan Township within Chiayi County. Famous tea regions include Zhangshuhu, Fenqihu, Dabang, Shizhuo, Xiding, Taihe, Ruili, and Lijia, at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,700 meters. The main tea varietals grown here are Qingxin Oolong, JinXuan, and CuiYu.
▲ Qingxin Oolong is the primary tea varietal of Alishan High Mountain Tea.
Tea cultivation was introduced to Alishan in the 1980s, beginning in Longyan Village, Meishan Township. What started as small-scale farming yielded unexpectedly exceptional quality, gaining popularity both domestically and internationally. Consequently, cultivation gradually expanded to high mountain areas throughout the county. Today, tea is the most representative agricultural product of the Alishan region. Alishan High Mountain Tea can be harvested up to five times a year, with the spring and winter harvests offering the finest quality. While spring and winter harvests are typically crafted into oolong tea, the summer and autumn harvests are often made into high mountain black tea.
▲ Alishan High Mountain JinXuan Tea boasts exceptional quality.
The Alishan region lies within 50 kilometers north and south of the Tropic of Cancer, creating an ideal environment for growing tea. Above 1,000 meters, the Alishan area features frequent mists, ample rainfall, a warm climate, and soil rich in organic matter. The resulting tea leaves are thick and rich in pectin, producing an Alishan High Mountain Tea with a smooth liquor and a lingering aroma. Thanks to these superb natural conditions and the continuous refinement of techniques by local tea makers, the quality of Alishan High Mountain Tea has steadily improved. In recent years, it has become one of Taiwan’s most renowned teas, attracting enthusiasts in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea, Europe, and North America.
Due to its immense popularity, Alishan High Mountain Tea is unfortunately targeted by counterfeit foreign teas. To combat this, local producers and the government continuously promote origin certification to help consumers purchase authentic Alishan High Mountain Tea. Additionally, the Chiayi County Government has developed a “DNA anti-counterfeiting label” for Alishan High Mountain Tea. Shoppers can confidently look for and purchase teas bearing this label.