Huagang Oolong Tea is produced in Cuihua Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, located in the Huagang tea region on the back mountains of Lishan. With altitudes ranging from 1800 to 2520 meters, it is the highest tea-producing area in Taiwan. Due to its high altitude and unique climatic conditions, Huagang Oolong Tea is the most precious and expensive variety in the Lishan tea system.
Quality and Altitude of Huagang Oolong Tea
The high altitude of the Huagang tea region endows its tea leaves with exceptional quality. The highest point in the tea region, the Huagang Shuuyantou Tea Garden, reaches an altitude of 2520 meters, making it the highest tea garden in Taiwan. The high-altitude environment causes the tea leaves to grow slowly, allowing them to accumulate more nutrients and develop a unique flavor. The tea leaves have a fresh and elegant aroma, a mellow taste, and a long-lasting sweet aftertaste. Due to the harsh growing conditions, the yield of Huagang tea is very limited. The maximum production in spring is 3600 kilograms, while the winter yield is about half of that.
Market Price and Consumer Advice
The market price of Huagang High Mountain Oolong Tea is extremely high. Tea leaves from the high-altitude gardens (2350-2520 meters) retail for nearly NT$10,000 per jin (600 grams), with those from the 2520-meter gardens costing even more. Tea leaves from lower altitudes (1800-2200 meters) are slightly cheaper, priced at around NT$3,200 to NT$4,000 per 600 grams. Due to the high price and limited production, the market is flooded with counterfeit products. Consumers should purchase from reputable tea merchants and verify the authenticity of the tea leaves.
Reputation of Huagang Oolong Tea
Huagang High Mountain Oolong Tea is recognized as one of the highest quality high mountain teas in Taiwan. Thanks to its exceptional altitude and ideal high mountain environment, the tea leaves are perfectly suited for producing fragrant Oolong tea. The finished tea from Huagang has a high yield and top-notch quality, earning it the reputation of being one of the best high mountain tea-producing areas in Taiwan. When purchasing Huagang Oolong Tea, consumers should be cautious and ensure they are buying genuine high-quality tea leaves.