Honey tea is a uniquely Taiwanese tea. It gets its signature honeyed aroma from the bites of the little green leafhopper. It is not only a masterpiece of tea artisans’ craftsmanship, but also a tea-making method that reflects the harmonious coexistence between Taiwanese farmers and nature. Loved by locals, honey tea is equally popular among tea enthusiasts overseas. (The little green leafhopper is shown in the center of the image below)
What is Honey Tea? Characteristics of Honey Tea
Honey tea is harvested from tea leaves that have been bitten by the little green leafhopper. The leaves bitten by this insect secrete a special substance that infuses the finished tea with a natural honey aroma. This fragrance is not only rich and natural, but also carries subtle hints of ripe fruit, offering a sweet and smooth taste.
Aside from tasting great, another key feature of honey tea is that because it relies on the little green leafhopper bites, no pesticides can be used during production. This all-natural production method makes honey tea especially favored by health-conscious tea lovers.
4 Unique Varieties of Taiwanese Honey Tea
| Tea Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Oriental Beauty Tea | Oriental Beauty Tea is a representative honey-scented tea. As a heavily fermented oolong tea, it combines the fresh fragrance of oolong, the richness of black tea, and the unique honey aroma characteristic of honey-scented teas, making it one of Taiwan’s most iconic oolongs. (Pictured above: Oriental Beauty) |
| Honey Black Tea | Honey Black Tea is a fully fermented black tea with a bright red liquor, featuring a rich honeyed aroma and sweet ripe fruit notes. Building upon the classic flavor of black tea with an added layer of honey fragrance, it is one of Taiwan’s most distinctive black teas. (Pictured below: Honey Black Tea) |
| Honey White Tea | A popular modern Taiwanese style combining white tea craftsmanship with honey-scented tea. Handpicked from May to July using tea leaves with natural bite marks, they are left to rest for 48 to 72 hours before drying, preserving the purest original tea aroma and natural honey sweetness. |
| Honey Guifei Tea | A heavily fermented ball-shaped oolong tea that blends the lingering throat feel of Dongding Oolong with the mellow richness of Oriental Beauty, complemented by the signature honey aroma of honey-scented teas. It stands as one of Nantou’s finest honey-scented teas. |
Honey-scented teas are not only a specialty of Taiwan, but also a precious treasure born from the harmony of nature and human craftsmanship. Whether it is the elegance of Oriental Beauty, the richness of Honey Black Tea, the freshness of Honey White Tea, or the mellow depth of Honey Guifei, each one showcases the unique charm of Taiwanese tea. The next time you spot honey-scented tea at a tea shop, be sure to give it a try!