Customer Inquiry: A friend asked me to buy some semi-spherical Pouchong tea, but I really couldn’t find it anywhere, and it doesn’t seem to be the same as Wenshan Pouchong tea. Could you tell me what semi-spherical Pouchong tea is, what its characteristics are, and where I can buy it?
Chang-Hsing Tea: Hello. Semi-spherical Pouchong tea is actually what Taiwanese commonly refer to as Oolong tea. In fact, semi-spherical Pouchong tea is its correct name; it’s just that over time, locals have gotten used to calling it Oolong tea. Both semi-spherical Pouchong tea and strip-style Pouchong tea (commonly known simply as Pouchong tea) are semi-fermented teas, with the only difference being that one is rolled into a spherical shape and the other into strips.
The main characteristic of semi-spherical Pouchong tea is that its fermentation is slightly heavier than that of strip-style tea. Its production process also includes a cloth-ball rolling step, which shapes the leaves into semi-spheres. Originating in the Lugu area of Nantou, it is now produced all across Taiwan from north to south. Famous varieties like Dongding Oolong tea, High Mountain tea, Lishan tea, and Alishan tea all belong to semi-spherical Pouchong tea. If you’d like to buy some, just ask for Oolong tea at any tea shop. Alternatively, you can purchase it right here on the Chang-Hsing Tea website—our tea is of exceptional quality.
▲ Semi-spherical Pouchong tea is commonly known as Oolong tea. Dongding tea and High Mountain tea both fall into this category.
▲ Strip-style Pouchong tea is commonly known simply as Pouchong tea. It features a strip-like appearance.