Lishan tea is grown at altitudes between 1,600 and 2,500 meters, making it one of the highest tea-producing regions in Taiwan. The production area includes Lishan, Tianfu Farm, Singjiayang, HuaGung, Cuiluan, Hongxiang, and Cuifeng. Lishan tea is well-loved for its limited harvest, rich aroma, and distinctive “mountain character” flavor.
The Lishan area is renowned for its high-cold vegetables and fruits. Due to the high altitude and cold climate—frequently seeing snow and frost in winter and spring—along with wide temperature swings between day and night, the produce here develops exceptional sweetness. Lishan tea is no different. The chilly weather and significant temperature differences slow down the tea’s growth, resulting in thick leaves with reduced bitterness. The resulting Lishan high mountain tea offers fantastic sweet aftertastes, vibrant aromas, and a cool, refreshing profile, making it the most popular Taiwanese high mountain tea in recent years.
Lishan tea has an annual yield of about 78,000 kg. While that might sound like a lot, tea merchants from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the US are constantly competing for it, meaning supply falls far short of demand. As a result, the price of Lishan tea has been climbing steadily, making it the most expensive high mountain tea on the market. Because of its high price, counterfeit teas have appeared on the market. Some merchants pass off tea from other regions as Lishan tea, while others blend in cheaper teas to cut costs. Authentic Lishan tea starts at a wholesale price of NT$1,600 or more, and teas from origins above 2,000 meters can even start at NT$3,000 upwards.
▲ Lishan tea produced at Fushoushan Farm. Fushoushan’s Lishan tea is top-tier merchandise, retailing between NT$6,000 and NT$10,000 per 600 g. It is extremely popular when exported across the strait.
Because there are so many fakes out there, the next time you shop for Lishan tea at a tea shop, it is best to ask for details about the origin and processing methods to avoid buying poor-quality or even imported foreign tea. If you’re having trouble finding the right Lishan tea, feel free to contact Chang Hsing Tea. We carry tea from various Lishan origins, including Songmao and Singjiayang, as well as batches from Lishan Tea Production and Marketing Group No. 1 and No. 4. For bulk purchases, we offer genuine Lishan tea with minimal markup.
▲ Lishan tea from the Tianchi area, home to the highest altitude tea plantation locally.