A history of our exceptional single origin tea

Famous as the birthplace of tea in Taiwan, once known as Formosa, Nantou is steeped in tea-producing history. Tea cultivation in the region dates back to the early 1700s, and the high mountain teas harvested here are today considered the best in the country. As well as benefitting from a rich heritage of agricultural production, teas grown in Nantou county are influenced by the area's high altitude and considerable cloud cover, which prevents the leaves from becoming bitter and contributes to their smooth and gently sweet taste.

Five generations of the Cheng family have worked the estate that produces this fine black tea. Located in the Yuchi municipality of Nantou, close to Sun Moon Lake, the plantation was first planted to tea bushes in 1860. Leaves are picked year-round from 180-year-old trees using traditional methods for a native mountain tea that's as authentic as it is delicious.

Quality control is part of the heritage at the Chengs' tea garden. Rules and records of tea farming have been maintained since the family's plantation was established, set out in a precious handwritten tea-making book that has been passed down through the generations. At one point, the tea garden fell under the auspices of the ruling Japanese, with its teas supplying the royal courts. However, to ensure their ancestors' legacy lives through their teas, the farm is today run to high organic, sustainable, and ethical cultivation standards. The result is this beautiful Native Mountain Tea.

What are Formosan Farms?

Founded by Dr Yvonne Han, Formosan Farms produces premium, single-origin teas organically grown by select family-run tea farms in Taiwan. The sustainably grown teas are 100% pure, with no added chemicals or pesticides, and are supplied to various grades, all of the high quality. Each contributing farm has a sustainable ethos that ensures the methods used in cultivation are eco-friendly and place the environment front and centre. The farmers' love for their work is reflected in their teas, and we are very proud to launch our new range of teas with them.

Other related loose leaf teas

If you love the complex flavours of our Taiwanese Native Mountain Tea, try a caddy of Sun Moon Lake, another organic black tea from the same region. It has the same recognisable hint of caramel and a rich, ruby-red infusion. For more caramel flavours plus some cocoa notes, look to our Dian Hong Chinese black tea. Or try an oolong: our Wuyi Shui Xian Chinese and Oriental Beauty Taiwanese teas are exceptional styles that combine those sweet yet aromatic characters.

Discover more about the history of Taiwanese tea culture in our Tea Journal.

The climate range from humid subtropical (CFA) in the lower areas to temperate oceanic (CFB) on the peaks. In the valleys and lower hills, the temperatures typically range from 12°C to 22°C in the winter, and from 25°C to 33°C in the summer. Summer days are wet, oppressive and overcast, whilst the winter days are mild and mostly clear, with a calm breeze throughout the year.

The higher peaks experience much stronger winds, high humidity with steady precipitation throughout the year, and lower temperatures, with snow between December and April. Fog is common, with peaks dramatically emerging from behind clouds and mist. Due to the variety of climates and elevation, the region offers vary diverse habitats, rich in plant and animal species ranging from tropical to alpine.