There are two main types of Taiwanese black tea: Honey Black Tea and SunMoon Lake Black Tea. Honey Black Tea is grown in Hualien, New Taipei City, and Nantou, while SunMoon Lake Black Tea is produced around the SunMoon Lake area in Nantou. The tea cultivars used include Qingxin Oolong and TTES No. 12 JinXuan for Honey Black Tea, and Assam and TTES No. 18 Ruby for SunMoon Lake Black Tea.
Introduction to Taiwanese Black Tea
In the early days, Taiwan’s tea industry focused primarily on exports, with black tea being the most popular and accounting for over half of total tea production. Although exports and overall production subsequently declined, SunMoon Lake Black Tea and Honey Black Tea remain highly popular. Honey Black Tea has a wider growing region and larger output, whereas SunMoon Lake Black Tea, cultivated in a traditional black tea region, is renowned for its consistent quality and remains a favorite among visitors.
Origins and Cultivars of Taiwanese Black Tea
SunMoon Lake Black Tea: Primarily produced in Yuchi Township, Nantou, around the SunMoon Lake Scenic Area. The main cultivar is the Assam large-leaf variety, though TTES No. 18 Ruby has been actively promoted in recent years and is now the most widely produced and popular tea cultivar in the area.
Honey Black Tea: Produced across Hualien, Pinglin in New Taipei City, Nantou, Taichung, and Chiayi. The primary tea cultivars are Qingxin Oolong, TTES No. 12 JinXuan, TTES No. 13 CuiYu, and Sijichun. Unlike SunMoon Lake Black Tea, Honey Black Tea requires insect bites—specifically from the tea green leafhopper—which triggers the leaves to release a natural sweet aroma. This is the defining characteristic of Taiwanese Honey Black Tea.
▲Pinglin District in New Taipei City is a major production area for Honey Black Tea.