Ruby Black Tea refers to black tea made from the TTES No. 18 tea tree cultivar. Its primary producing region is Yuchi Township in Nantou, centered around SunMoon Lake. The defining characteristics of this black tea lie in its unique aroma and flavor profile, featuring notes of mint and cinnamon backed by a rich, robust black tea body. Its refreshing fragrance and sweet, smooth finish make it immensely popular on the market.
The Origins of Ruby Black Tea
Ruby, also known as TTES No. 18, is a tea cultivar bred by the Yuchi Branch of the Tea Research and Extension Station, developed by cross-breeding a large-leaf variety from Burma with native Taiwanese wild tea trees. Taiwan’s black tea enjoyed a glorious history during the Japanese colonial era, but rising costs led to a steady decline in exports after the 1970s, culminating in a complete market collapse in the 1980s. At that time, nearly all tea plantations around SunMoon Lake were cleared to make way for other crops. Fortunately, TTES No. 18 Ruby was officially introduced in 1999, reigniting tea-farming culture around SunMoon Lake. It is no exaggeration to say that Ruby single-handedly turned the tide for Taiwan’s black tea industry. Today, Ruby has become Taiwan’s most representative and highest-yielding black tea variety.
Why Ruby Black Tea Is So Popular
After decades of research and development, Ruby Black Tea features a very distinct varietal aroma. Its unique profile includes natural minty notes, complemented by ripe fruit and cinnamon undertones, delivering a multi-layered and rich taste. These characteristics make Ruby Black Tea immensely popular in the market and a top choice among tea enthusiasts. Furthermore, the humidity and sunlight around SunMoon Lake create ideal growing conditions, making SunMoon Lake Ruby Black Tea Taiwan’s most representative and sought-after black tea.
Expert Guide: How to Buy Good Ruby Black Tea
Ruby Black Tea can be produced from March to October. Spring tea is refreshing with high sweetness, though its characteristic varietal aroma is less pronounced. Summer tea harvested between May and June offers great astringency while being prone to bitterness, yet its mint and cinnamon notes shine brightly; summer is widely considered the prime harvesting season for Ruby. When summer Ruby leaves are bitten by green leafhoppers, they develop the honeyed notes characteristic of Honey Black Tea, known as Honey Ruby Black Tea—the ultimate, highly coveted grade of Ruby Black Tea among tea merchants.