Taiwanese tea shines at Great Taste Awards with unique honey flavor

In recent years, Taiwan has gained recognition for its unique tea varieties, particularly a special oolong known for its natural honey flavor. This honey flavor originates from endemic insects, specifically Jacobiasca formosana, commonly called tea jassids. Farmers in Taiwan had historically viewed these insects as pests, leading to losses in tea harvests. In an effort to adapt, some farmers began to harvest and roast tea leaves infested with jassids, a process that has allowed them to produce high-quality honey-flavored teas. In 2023, tea master Junjie Lin's honey-fragrance black tea, harvested on Sixty Stone Mountain, was nominated for the esteemed Great Taste Awards in the UK, showcasing a complex flavor profile that includes ripe mango and grilled pineapple notes. The production of honey-flavored tea is a relatively new venture, as the traditional Taiwanese tea industry has been established for over 400 years. With the introduction of mixiang tea specifically associated with jassid infestation, awareness of this product is still developing. Local guides like Clint Liang emphasize that although the jassids can significantly impact harvests, the unique flavor profile they contribute has sparked interest in guifei tea, leading to an emerging market. Tea master Lee has witnessed the evolution of tea farming on his family's land in Lugu, Nantou. His family has traditionally produced Dong Ding Oolong tea but has now embraced the challenge posed by this newer variety. It requires skilled crafting to ensure the honey flavor emerges without leaving the tea bitter or musty, which can occur if the oxidizing and roasting processes are not executed perfectly. The unpredictability of the jassids complicates this process further, with some years seeing the production of tea drops to as low as 20% due to infestation. Despite these challenges, enthusiasm for honey-flavored teas continues to grow. Kuo, a devoted producer of mixiang teas, believes that they have turned a disadvantage into an advantage, capturing the attention of both local and international customers. Her family's commitment to promoting Gui Fei tea reflects a love for this unique variety, with her sons involved in the business and enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge. The rising popularity of bug-bitten oolong highlights the potential for Taiwanese tea on the global stage, driving both local tourism and culinary innovation.