With its rich culture and unique geography, Taiwan is one of the world’s premier tea-producing regions. Among these renowned tea lands, LongFengXia tea stands out for its distinctive flavor and exceptional quality, making it a true jewel among Taiwanese high-mountain teas. Located in the mountain area of Zhushan Township in central Taiwan, LongFengXia’s exceptional geographic location and special climatic conditions make this mist-shrouded land the ideal setting for cultivating top-tier tea leaves.
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The Development of ShanLinXi LongFengXia Tea
Taiwan has a long history of tea production, but the development of the LongFengXia tea region came relatively late. Before the 1980s, the area was primarily used for bamboo cultivation and logging, with only two farming families growing tea. Around 2000, as Taiwan’s tea culture shifted from roasted teas toward lightly fermented high-mountain teas, LongFengXia’s unique geography led to its gradual development as a tea-growing region. Situated at elevations between 1,400 and 1,800 meters, the area features a cool climate, year-round mists, and wide diurnal temperature variations. These conditions favor tea growth, resulting in an aromatic profile and rich palate. As cultivation techniques advanced, local farmers mastered the skills needed to produce high-grade tea, establishing LongFengXia tea as one of the finest high-mountain teas in Taiwan.
Read more: Introduction to the LongFengXia Tea Region
Growing Advantages of ShanLinXi LongFengXia
The unique microclimatic conditions of high-elevation regions—including lower temperatures, frequent mists, and high humidity—slow down the growth rate of the tea plants, making the leaves more tender and the flavor more concentrated. Additionally, the organic-rich soil in these areas provides abundant nutrients for the tea trees.
In LongFengXia in particular, frequent afternoon mists significantly slow down the growth of the tea leaves. While tea elsewhere might mature in just over 40 days, LongFengXia tea takes 55 to 65 days. This extended growing period allows the leaves to grow thicker and develop deeper, more layered flavors.
Types of LongFengXia Tea
After the 1980s, Taiwanese tea shifted toward lightly fermented high-mountain teas. As a benchmark region for high-mountain tea, 99% of LongFengXia’s tea production consists of lightly fermented, floral-scented Oolong, with only a very small portion dedicated to black tea and red Oolong. Categorized by season, spring tea yields the highest volume, followed by winter tea, and autumn tea slightly less than winter. Summer tea is mainly used to make black tea and heavily fermented Oolong. Below is a table of LongFengXia tea varieties:
| Tea Cultivars | 99% Qingxin Oolong, small amounts of JinXuan, CuiYu | |||
| Harvest Seasons | Spring tea, Winter tea, Autumn tea, Summer tea (small amount), Winter Sprout Oolong (small amount) | |||
| Processing Methods | 99% lightly fermented Oolong, small amounts of black tea and heavily fermented Oolong | |||
| Available Products | Lightly fermented Oolong, black tea, red Oolong, Oriental Beauty | |||
LongFengXia Tea Prices
Prices vary each season depending on the harvest season, tea cultivar, yield, and quality. Below are the recent prices for Liao Chang Xing’s LongFengXia tea:
| Item | Variety | Price/600 g | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Spring Tea | High-Mountain Oolong | NT$2,800 | 2024 Bountiful Harvest Year |
| 2023 Winter Tea | High-Mountain Oolong | NT$3,000 | |
| 2020 Autumn Tea | High-Mountain Oolong | NT$1,400 | |
| 2021 Spring Tea | High-Mountain Oolong | NT$2,500 | Lower Elevation |
| 2021 Spring Tea | High-Mountain Oolong | NT$3,000 | High Elevation |
Characteristic Flavor Profile of LongFengXia Tea
The aroma of LongFengXia tea features natural forest woody undertones, renowned for its bright color and clear, honey-green liquor. Tea harvested from elevations between 1,700 and 1,800 meters offers the highest quality, characterized by a cool mineral note and subtle pine-like forest undertones. Its flavor is grounded and steady, with a lingering finish accompanied by restrained floral notes that transport you straight into the woods.