Tea Lover’s Inquiry: I received a package of Dayuling tea a few days ago. The dry leaves look greenish, the brewed tea liquor is a yellowish-green, and the taste is somewhat similar to green tea. Is Dayuling tea a green tea? Or did I receive a fake product?
Liao Chang Xing's Reply: "Is Dayuling Tea Green Tea?"
Dayuling tea refers to tea grown and processed in the tea region along the Central Cross-Island Highway between the 100km and 105km markers. Theoretically, tea leaves can be made into black tea, white tea, green tea, or oolong tea; however, in practice, almost all Dayuling tea is crafted as a lightly fermented oolong tea. Therefore, Dayuling tea belongs to oolong tea, not green tea.
As for why the appearance and tea liquor have a greenish hue, and the taste is reminiscent of green tea, this is done to preserve the unique high-mountain character (“Shan Qi”). High-mountain teas are kept at a low oxidation level, generally around 15% to 25%. If the oxidation level is too high, it will overpower the high-mountain notes, making it taste just like regular lowland oolong tea. Because the oxidation is low, the leaves retain a greenish appearance, and the brewed liquor and flavor lean closer to green tea.
Based on your description, the appearance matches the traditional processing methods used in Dayuling. As for whether the tea is genuine, only the seller truly knows. Currently, the yield of Dayuling tea is extremely low, with less than 3,000 kg produced per season. 99% of the Dayuling tea on the market is not authentic.