What is Oriental tea?

A look at the origin story of Pongfong Tea, which the Queen of England has praised
In the history of Taiwan's tea development, there is a tea that is not only one of Taiwan's top ten famous teas, but its development process has opened up the possibility of exporting Taiwan's tea all over the world, and this tea is the 「Oriental Beauty」
What is Oriental Beauty tea?
Oriental beauty, also known as Pongfong tea, Pengfeng tea, or Yanzai tea, is mainly produced in Beipu, Hsinchu. It is made from the Qingxin Damao cultivar and is also known as Baihao Oolong due to its prominent white hairs on the leaves.
Origin of Oriental Beauty Tea
The origin of oriental beauty tea is quite interesting. It was born during the Japanese colonial era when Taiwan's agriculture, especially the tea industry, was highly valued. Under government subsidies, the tea industry in Taiwan grew rapidly, and even small-scale tea farmers received free tea processing machinery. It is said that one of the pioneers of Baihao Oolong, Mr. Jiang Ruichang, was the village chief of Beipu at that time and benefited from these subsidies.

In the summer of 1932, Jiang Ruichang's tea garden was attacked by small green leafhoppers, causing the tea leaves to lose their vibrant green color. Instead of wasting the damaged leaves, Jiang Ruichang decided to process them using the traditional method for making green tea. During the oxidation process, the tea leaves turned darker, similar to black tea, and when brewed, the tea had a beautiful fruity and honey-like aroma. Jiang Ruichang took this unique tea to a competition and surprisingly sold it at a high price.
Origin of the name 「Oriental Beauty」
The story of oriental beauty tea's creation spread, and it gained popularity. It was even said that the tea was named "Oriental Beauty Tea" by the Queen of England after it was introduced to the country. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Nevertheless, the name "Dongfang Meiren" has become widely known and associated with this beautiful tea.
jsytea
Is Oriental Beauty black tea or oolong tea?
As for whether oriental beauty tea is black tea or oolong tea, it is actually an oolong tea. Although its appearance may resemble black tea due to its higher level of oxidation (60-80%), it falls in the category of oolong tea. Regular oolong tea typically has an oxidation level of around 30-40%. Oriental beauty tea's unique characteristics, including the influence of the small green leafhopper, give it a rich and natural fruity aroma, making it a beloved tea worldwide.

So, if you enjoy the flavor profile of black tea, you might want to try this classic Taiwanese tea with its unique story and characteristics.
jsytea
jsytea
JSY's Oriental Beauty
The reason why Oriental Beauty has a fruity and honey flavor is because the tea tree is bitten by the small green leafhopper during the growing process, which makes the tea leaves carry its own fruity and honey flavor. Since the small green leafhopper bites the tea leaves irregularly, the aroma is not only the highly fermented fruity and honey flavor, but also the slightly fermented floral flavor with a lower level of salivation or the medium level of fermentation of the green fragrance flavor can be found in the tea. Jing Sheng Yu carefully selects the green heart Da Nai Oolong from Beipu, Hsinchu to make Eastern Beauty, with a delicate honey flavor in the aroma of ripe fruit honey, which is not to be missed by those who love Taiwan teas.
You have successfully subscribed!
This email has been registered
Close