2011 TOST - Visit Tse-Xin Foundation (10/17/2011)

We like the idea, and we respect the effort that Tse-Xin Foundation has been working on their Pure Spring Reservoir Protecting Project - to educate the tea farmers of the importance of growing tea organically, not only to get better and purer quality tea, but also to preserve the water in the Feitsui reservoir which is polluted by the chemicals and pesticides farmers use in their tea gardens that surround the reservoir. Apparently, here in Taiwan, Tse-Xin's project is beyond going organic for the sake of health and sustainability.
It takes a good amount of education to convince tea farmers to convert to organic farming. The Foundation realizes that it takes about at least 3 years to convert the whole Eco-system and they offer the funds to help the farmers to support the project. One of the volunteers in this Foundation is my college classmate, so two years in a row, we have included Tse-Xin in our program. We believe with our members here to eye-witness the project will eventually help their organic tea to be marketed on the other side of Pacific when timing is right. Actually, I was shocked to see the new construction, and learn that they are getting close have their NOP Orcganic Certified.
After the presentation, we were provided the most delicious and healthy organic vegetarian lunch – almost all dishes made with tea in one way or the other. (rice prepared in tea, tea powder for topping, and oolong tea jello...) Tommy did take great photos on those dishes.
We got opportunity to cup ad taste 3 organic teas from their farm: organic Pouchong, organic Jade Oolong and Organic Ruby 18, before we were led to tea fields to see the conventional tea gardens and transitional tea gardens... Our members were dressed up again in the field. (What a day...twice in a row to be dressed up...on only the first day of our 2011 TOST. This is very unusual.)

2010 TOST - Wenshan Tea Farm on 10/18/2010

This is our first stop of the TOST 2010 -
Wenshan Tea Farm is a jewel of Taiwan tea's history. We were having our hands on Pouchong making in 2009 at TRES/Wenshan Branch. This year, I feel like to lead our members to see this s place that established in 1937 as Taiwan's Pouchong Tea Research and experiment Center, which later moved to the current facility in 1987. Apparently, not much R&D is done here any more, yet the tea gardens and all facilities still remain well, becomes a new attraction for tea lovers' DIY experience and also a beautiful natural garden for tourists. Farmers in the area, still send in their Pouchong for the refinery here.
I enjoy visiting this place not any less than the current TRES / Wenshan Branch, because the view, the historical traces... Walk along the roads and check among those experiment tea gardens...you might happen to encounter with some treasure and historical marks. We are lucky that we got Mr. Yen to explain to our members during our visit.

2010 TOST - Tse-Xin Organic Farm in Wenshan

We were told about the story of 淨源茶, and Josephine and I both agreed to include this farm in our TOST 2010 schedule after our visit to Wenshan Pouchong Tea Farm.
淨源 means to make sure the water reservoir not to be poluted. This is the mission of this Tse-Xin group to work on. Tea is the main agriculture product in Wenshan area, and they were taking one farmer at a time to join their co-op to have organic practice.
Our group members are greeted and treated like true VIP on 10/18/2010 visit. My college classmate, Glendy Lee is a long time volunteer in Tse-Xin, and with her arrangement...a great vegetarian buffet lunch is served. After the presentation and tea tasting, we are in tour to see their new tea plant. Good to learn that more and more tea farmers are willing to adopt the program and to have Organic tea not only to meet and quench tea lovers' thirsty...also to help make sure the residents of Taipei City can enjoy good water resource. City by city, one tea district at a time, this truly a beautiful story. I hope we can work with this group closely.

2010 TOST - Lin J Garden, one creative tea shop in Lugu

After our visit to the TRES Tung-Ting Station, before we check in our hotel, there is one creative tea shop - Lin J Garden on the way which we found during our earlier scouting trip. I thought it will be interesting for our members to check it out. The way they designed and marketing teas by the percentage of roasting: from very lightly roasted to medium, all the way to heavily roasted... 1-10. Customers can cup a series of tea samples and find the one that fits your taste profile. Mrs. Lin is excited to serve us the iced tea that was cold brew with ice-dripping on the display...
It is always a fun to learn how tea can be marketed creatively.

2010 TOST - Bagua Tea Garden (10/21/2010)

Checked out the hotel...we are heading to visit the one and only Bagua Tea Garden in Shanlinsi tea district. Our TOST 2008 had visited several tea gardens in Shanlinsi, but not this legendary one... Hard to believe the tea plantation could be so beautiful...and we were told this was simply an accident. Never been planned to grow tea as it looks now per Mr. Lin who's running a tea store right above the Bagua Tea Garden. Every member receives a poster of this tea garden as the gift from TTMA. A few of us are very curious about having another look of Bagua Tea Garden from another angle...that means we will explore to the tea estate right across? We leave that to TTMA's further research... After Bagua, we are heading to Alishan tea district and Steve Huang is waiting for us there to guide us to visit another two tea estates.

2010 TOST - On the road to Alishan...

Left the Bagua Tea Garden, we are moving from Shan-Lin-Si tea district to another tea district - Alishan here we come !
Our family and friends keep calling us from Taipei to check our status....as the Typhoon brought heavy rain to the northern Taiwan...and they worry about our group...
From the photos, you can see that we got some adventure on the road.... There are road workers are still fixing the landslides from the previous stom... At some curve, we were told to stop for the clean-up of falling rocks....
While we arrive Alishan, and done visiting the two tea farmers... we know, all these adventures are well paid off.

2010 TOST - Wang Ting Tea Garden (10/21/2010)

So many beautiful pictures that we just don't feel well not to keep them all...
The visit to this tea estate is really in a perfect timing...right after the rain...Our members can't wait to jump in the tea bushes... Mr. and Mrs. Wang, the young couple are very nice to lead all of us to tour their facility...so many improvements they have equiped... I told myself, this will be the place I will like to have my hands on tea experience... (maybe for the 2011 TOST)...
Ms. Wang herself is a good collector all right. Josephine just kept taking photos on her collection in the tasting room.
Look at these photos to see how excited our members are...they are in one of the most beautiful tea gardens in Alishan... We just wish that we can stay longer there to enjoy the fresh air and happy tea bushes.

2010 TOST - Ding-Feng Taiwan Tea

This is the second stop of our visit in Meishan (part of Alishan tea district), the owner Mr. Liu and Mrs. Liu are extremely excited to meet our group members at their modern tea plant. We are really shocked to see their equipments and imagine how busy they were during the season.
It is getting dark, and we ran out of time for visiting their tea garden ...maybe next time...

2010 TOST - Visit San Hsia Tea District (10/22/2010)

After three days away from Taipei, we got an easier schedule on 10/22/2010 to visit San Hsia tea district and Yinge, the Ceramic Capital of Taiwan.
Taiwan Lung Jing (Dragon Well) and Taiwan Pi-Lo-Chun ? No kidding.
Most tea lovers will think of these two famous Green teas are only available from China, but here in Taiwan, you really can find very limited supply of Lung Jing and Pi Lo Chun, especially in San Hsia tea district. Early in 1949, there were many Chinese who followed Chiang Kai-Shek to Taiwan. They missed those green tea of their home towns...so some one started to teach the local tea farmers to make them for the demand. Due to different cultivars plus the influence of traditional Pouchong making... Taiwan Lung Jing and Taiwan Pi Lo Chun actually have their own uniqueness and loyal fans.
Mr. Lee, the owner of Cheng Chuan Tea Factory, greeted us to his store and we got chance to cup his teas (besides the two green teas he made in Spring and Autumn, during the Summer, he also makes Oriental Beauty and black tea). He then walked all of us to his tea plant. Our members were very interested in his modified Sencha machines that used for Lung Jing rolling and pressing...

2010 TOST - On the Road Again...(10/23/2010)

10/23/2010
This is a "tea museums" day. We are heading to the home of Oriental Beauty, Beipu Hsinchu and then we have a lunch at Royal Golf Course at Guansi. (There are total 7 golf courses in this town at the foothill of Taiwan's Central Mountain range, used to be the hub of Tao-Chu-Miao, an important tea region of Taiwan tea, but tea plantations are replaced by these golf courses.) We have arranged two very different tea museums in Guansi, Chin Thai and Forteaco. We will end the day with our Grand Cupping session at Sha Keng Tea Factory in Henshan Hsinchu.

2010 TOST - Pomelo Teas on Baking

Mr. Peng, the owner of Kwan-Chun Tea Museum, has great idea to include the Hakka traditional Pomelo Tea baking process harmonizedly set along the path of exhibition...Feel like you're walking pass a tunnel of Pomelo teas baking room... This is a wonderful way to experience this old craft.

2010 TOST - Hands On Doing Lei Cha @Beipu (10/23/2011)

Inside the PonFonCha Tea Museum, there are several tables set for visitors to have fun of hands on making Lei Cha...Interesting enough, one butterfly, two local kids with their pet bird stay right next to our group. William Huang did not bother to take his turn to work on the Lei Cha, he was having another Hakka snack - Mochi....

What is Lei Cha?
You might find a details information in "The World of Tea" Summer 2010:
"Lei Cha means pounded tea and is a traditional Hakka beverage based on tea and a mix of various ingredients. Dry tea leaves are ground - or pounded - together with roasted nuts, seeds and grains. It is a savory drink but sugar or salt can be added for taste. Nowadays, Lei Cha can be bought commercially pre-packaged..."

2010 TOST - Searching for the Angels @ Beipu (10/23/2011)

Our bus made a short stop in one farmer's tea garden on the way from Beipu to Guansi. Norman made this arrangement for us to search for the green leaf-hoppers - the angel sent by heaven to make Taiwan's Oriental Beauty so unique. By reviewing at those pictures taken in the garden...you can see how excited our members were. Those Jacobiasca formosana (Paoli, 1936) had been very cooperative and everyone got a nice chance to have many many shots.

2011 TOST - What are our members doing?

(Thia photo took by Jospehine back on 10/19/2010 at TRES/Yuchih Station)

One of the adorable moments during our trip...
We were making Classic TungTing Oolong.........
when the Instructor, Steve Huang, said "smell the tea leaf....."....
all members leaned over, put heads down at the same time...so cute.............

Thomas Shu This is a great shot...that will be in good memory of many.

Yvonne Wang Great!!!!!


詹純甄 it looks cute!!! heee...


Jerry Liu I wish you could send that smell via the internet!


Elise Scott Like kittens staring at a mouse


Thomas Shu
Jerry, didn't you smell it? Those Camellia sinensis leaves after solar withering, were moved indoor for the additional indoor withering...every 1 hour or half subject to the weather condition...these soft touches made our tea so good in aro...ma and taste...See More


Flockof TeaCosy Mmmmmm. I look forward to one day having the same experience. I'm sure the aroma was illuminating.


Judith Krall-Russo It was a great moment!!! The aroma was even better!


Josephine Pan It was, Judith....I miss every one of you, all my children!!!!

2009 TOST - Oriental Beauty - plucking the leaves (6/26/2009)

June 26, 2009. We left Dong Wu Hotel at 8 am sharp, all of our members are excited to meet the legendary "Oriental Beauty"!
Jackson told us that we will pick up Sensei Hsu (Master Y.S. Hsu) on the way to Lungtan tea district. Master Hsu is senior advisor of TTMA, he works with Jackson together for over 7 years conducting Taiwan Oolongs Study Program for Japanese tea pros. At the tea plant, TTMA also invites two masters to show their different skills in processing. JP reminds every one to get enough chips for their cameras...this is indeed one of the most important sessions in our program. Back on TOST 2008, we came in Taiwan late in October, so we did not have chance to observe how this unique Taiwan Oolong is making. For TOST 2009, we are actually making it...how thoughtful we are treated by TTMA.
From the slideshow, you can see that we must change to 4 wheel drive truck to get in tea fields and that is some experience for our members. The ladies were there plucking the leaves for us to hands on making our Oriental Beauty. We were lucky to hear the beautiful Hakka Tea Mountain Love Song right there...Bob was extremely happy and tried to sing back and forth with the ladies... How hard is to pluck the tea leaves for making Oriental Beauty? Well, you just have to believe: these ladies start plucking tea leaves from their very early age...they don't watch the leaves and pick...they almost rely on their fingers' feeling...just follow the feeling to pluck those "one sprout and two tender leaves that got bidden by green leaf hoppers". How many can they get if they have to wear the glasses to check and pick the leaves? In a way, they deserve to get higher pay for their excellent works. Good tea begins with right leaf. Nothing is easy... those ladies are proud of their Gong-Fu in the tea fields!
One bag of tea leaves traveled back with our bus on a ride to Mr. Shen's tea factory.

2009 TOST - Visit TRES/Yangmei HQ (6/26/2009)

We have a short break while we are waiting for our Oriental Beauty to get indoor withering...
Jackson decided to take use to visit TRES Yangmei Head Quarter. Director Lin gave us a briefing and then guided our members to tour around the new Exhibition Hall on the basement...where we have seen several signatures on the visitor's book...so we know they were also here earlier... We don't get much time to visit their facilities as our Oriental Beauty are calling us to rush back for the next step... TRES stands for Tea Research and Extension Station, a very important R&D center for Taiwan's tea industry. It was built in 1903 and continuously plays its important role for getting new cultivars and helping tea farmers and tea plants to improve the quality of Taiwan tea's plantation and manufacturing. I have made the link to the related videos of TRES on my another blog: www.PonFonCha.blogspot.com

2009 TOST - Touring tea gardens in TRES/Taitung Branch (6/25/2009)

Here in TRES/Taitung Branch, there are various experiments on going... We were guided to see their tea gardens for various cultivars: Chin Sin Da Pan, Buddha Palm, TieKuanYin....and the Taiwan Wild Tea bushes garden, herbal gardens...plus the Organic tea gardens (with high tea plants as buffer zone) It is a great experience to view so many different cultivars and see how hard they are studying the tea plants from wild tea trees to many new hybrids.
Our trip to the east coast of Taiwan came to an end... We checked in Luye train station for a long ride (about 5 hours) to return to Taipei. The trip to visit Hualien and Taitung tea district is a new experience to our Taiwan Oolongs Study Tour. I feel so worth it and I know very well if without Director Wu' s passion and good preparation, this trip won't be so fulfilled.

2009 TOST - Stop by Dancing Crane Tea District (6/24/2009)

After our visit at the World famous Taroko National Park, we are heading south to Taitung. On the way, we stopped by a tea district in Rueisuey, Hualien. This tea district has a beautiful name - Dancing Crane, to describe the charming mountains and the surrounding river. Japanese used to produce Asame black tea from this district.
"Tropics of Cancer" line is crossing this area. We took a group picture here before we visited the tea gardens of Mr. Yeh and Mr. Kao, who invited us to taste their teas at their tea shops. Most farmers have their tea plants behind or beside ther tea retail stores. For the decade, tea farmers here actually enjoy good business of retailing their specialty teas, such as: Honey Green, Honey Black, Pomelo Oolong, Ruby 18... to the tourists, domestic and foreign.
The tea cultivars here mainly are Da-Yeh Oolong, Chin Sin Da Pan.. Many of the farmers moved here from northern Taiwan about 30 years ago. At that time, they were here to develop tea plantation and tried to make tea to supply to their home town or their head quarters in Taipei. We have seen many farmers are practicing organic or non-toxic (pesticide free) in their tea gardens. We were invited to Mr. Yeh Fa-Shan's big house to enjoy great fruits with nice tea. From his back yard, we got the best spot to see the famous River of Shiou-Gu-Ruan crossing through the Dancing Crane Mountains...(Josephine got few good shots of it.)
We were having a long day...and we all wonder: where and how our hotel in Taitung will be?

2009 TOST - A trip to Yilan Tea District (6/23/2009)

June 23, another day that we are up early...because our bus ride to Yilan will fight with Taipei's morning traffic. The trip is to visit Yilan, a county on the North East of Taiwan that facing the Pacific Ocean.
One of our members, Ken Rudee of Barnes & Watson Fine Teas, who won First prize at World Tea Expo 2009 for this tea garden's jade oolong, made April 15, 2009. Ken carried the award plaque all the way from Seattle to dedicate the prize to the real 'winner' Mr. Wu, Sheng-Ben. Taiwan's TV Channel also follows this news.
We have chances to taste the prizes teas and also get to visit the beautiful tea gardens there.
Taiwanese are so used to take breaks and have teas with good friends...in the tea hut there...our members were invited to have tea with them...
Do pay attention to the those photos of cuppings. During this trip, Thomas will remind every one to take memos for each cupping...the date, weather, cultivar...appearance, color of liquor, aroma, taste, finish...Good thing is we always find time to share the comments.

2009 TOST - Pressed Tea DIY in Taitung (6/25/2009)

In TRES/Taitung Brach, Director Wu and his team have developped a set of toolings that can guide visitors to DIY your own Signature Preessed Tea. Josephine and I were here back on March in our scouting trip...we decided to convince Director Wu to include this session for our members. It is a fun experience for all of us to hands on to make the individual Pressed tea and place the signed label stuck on tope of each... Another souvenir for our field trip.