Taiwan teas win acclaim at UK international competition

台灣茶在英國國際賽事中贏得好評

Nation's black teas praised for distinctive flavor, saturated oolong market prompts shift toward black tea production


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese teas, particularly black teas, have garnered international acclaim, winning multiple awards last Wednesday (Nov. 6) at The Leafies, an international tea competition organized by the U.K. Tea Academy (UKTA).

A panel of judges conducted a blind tasting to evaluate nearly 400 teas from around the world. Taiwan secured eight gold medals and 10 “Highly Recommended” awards, making it the most awarded nation at this year’s competition, per CNA.

Hualien’s Lu Yu Estate (露予莊園) claimed the top prize of “Best of Black Tea.” The tea was singled out for its depth and flavor balance.

Indian judge Kurush Bharucha praised Taiwanese black teas, noting their comparable quality to India's famed Darjeeling teas. He believes these teas can tap into the larger global black tea market, although scaling up production remains a challenge.

Sri Lankan judge James Suranga Perera believes that increased output could significantly enhance the global appeal of Taiwanese black teas. He highlighted their distinctive floral, milky, and oolong-like notes.

The aging workforce and labor shortages in Taiwan's tea-producing regions pose a significant threat to the future of Taiwanese tea and culture, according to Formocha founder Chang Chia-chi (張家齊). He emphasized the need for innovative marketing strategies to elevate the status of Taiwanese tea.

Chang noted that the saturated oolong tea market has prompted a shift toward black tea production, which offers better international market potential. However, production needs to be increased to capitalize on the global demand for Taiwanese black tea.

In a crowded global tea market, Chang believes in innovation and quality. By infusing black tea production with oolong tea techniques, Taiwan can create a unique flavor profile that reflects the nation's tea heritage.