Taitung Red Oolong Tea, a creative combination of Oolong Tea and Black Tea

The suitable weather conditions, special terrain, humidity and the huge temperature difference between day and night all make Taitung a perfect place to grow tea trees. Fulu area is the biggest tea plantation area in Hualien and Taitung. Taitung District Tea Research and Extension Station helps farmers to upgrade this production site and develop a knowledge-based tea industry. Since tea cultivation areas at lower altitudes can’t produce fragrant type oolong tea, summer tea and autumn tea from these areas can undergo a higher degree of fermentation comparing to normal oolong tea. There are two phrases of fermentation, tossing fermentation (for oolong tea) and full fermentation (for black tea). Such unique fermentation process explains why the liquid color is orange red and wins the name Red Oolong Tea.

Red Oolong Tea is made from leaves from the whole tree. Red Oolong Tea undergoes a higher degree of fermentation, which is very different from the partially fermentation of normal oolong tea. The cultivar of Red Oolong Tea is very resistant to diseases and pests. Seasonal changes do not really have great impact on the cultivation. Farmers can plant this cultivar on different terrains, from small hills to mountains. Organic farming doesn’t lower the production and can increase farmers’ income.

Red Oolong tea is produced with fresh leaves bit by smaller green leafhoppers and has a strong aroma with fruity sweetness. Its taste is a combination of black tea’s caramel flavor and oolong tea’s rich body and tail notes. This tea is suitable for hot and cold brew and has a great potential for the market of cold drinks and canned drinks.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

參考引用文章：
農委會，台東紅烏龍
https://www.coa.gov.tw/ws.php?id=2444926
鹿野鄉農會，花東縱谷鹿野鄉，是花東線上的一顆閃亮明珠
http://oolon.luye.tw/home/