Taiwan Wild Black Tea - Shan Cha

What's so special about this tea?

This wild tea comes from trees that grow in the mountains of Yuchi Township, Nantou County. In Taiwan, it's known as Shan cha, meaning "mountain tea." This batch comes from one of the most iconic locations for this rarity, with wild trees that are between 60 and 100 years old.

The peculiarity of the trees is that they grow spontaneously according to the terrain and nature, compared to the typical rows of a plantation.

The harvest took place on July 21, 2024. The trees are located in an area 850 meters above sea level, and the leaves are hand-picked, selecting the shoots up to the third leaf at most. The entire area is pesticide-free, and the growth is completely natural, resulting in a small yield.

Our friends at the plantation told us that with this type of tea, you never know exactly how it will turn out, since everything depends on nature, like insects, heat, and rain. That is precisely the magic of these teas: feeling the energy of nature in every sip.

This is a full-bodied, very satisfying, and robust tea. Its long, dark, whole leaves unfurl upon infusion, releasing an aroma of chocolate, tropical fruit, exotic wood, and vanilla. The liquor is distinguished by a very clean, coppery orange hue. On the palate, notes of honey and spices are evident, with a fresh and fruity touch of mangosteen and persimmon. The aftertaste is long, sweet, and saline.

We recommend preparing it in a clay teapot or gaiwan to enjoy it to the fullest.