What Tea Is Taiwan Famous For?
Taiwan is famous for oolong — especially high mountain oolong — plus Dong Ding, Baozhong, Oriental Beauty, and Sun Moon Lake black tea. Here's what to know and try first.
By Mei-Ling Chen · Updated June 1, 2026 · 7 min read
The short answer: oolong
Taiwan is famous for oolong tea. Oolong is partially oxidized — sitting between green and black tea — and Taiwan produces the world's most celebrated examples. Within oolong, the island's crown is high mountain oolong (高山茶, gaoshan cha), grown above roughly 1,000 meters.
High mountain oolong
Cool air, mist, and big day-night temperature swings slow growth at altitude, concentrating sweetness and aroma. The famous ranges are Alishan, Lishan, Shanlinxi, and Dayuling. The cup is sweet, floral, buttery, and almost free of bitterness — which is why it pleases beginners and experts alike.
Dong Ding — the roasted classic
From Lugu in Nantou, Dong Ding (凍頂) is a rolled oolong finished with charcoal roasting. It trades raw floral brightness for caramel, toasted-grain, and honey depth, and it built Taiwan's competition-tea culture.
Baozhong — the lightest oolong
In the misty hills of Pinglin near Taipei, Baozhong (包種) is barely oxidized and lightly twisted rather than rolled. It is the greenest, most lily-and-orchid floral of Taiwan's oolongs.
Oriental Beauty — naturally honeyed
Made in the northwest (Hsinchu, Miaoli, and the Beipu–Emei and Toufen–Tongluo belt), Oriental Beauty (東方美人 / Bai Hao) gets its honey and ripe-fruit character from leaves nibbled by a tiny leafhopper before picking.
Sun Moon Lake black tea
Around Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, Taiwan makes distinctive black teas — most famously Ruby Red (Tai Cha No. 18), a Taiwan-Assam hybrid with cooling mint and malt notes.
What to try first
If you only taste one Taiwanese tea, make it a spring or winter high mountain oolong. It is the clearest, most immediate expression of why Taiwan is a tea powerhouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Taiwan known for green tea or oolong?
- Oolong. While Taiwan grows some green and black tea, its global reputation rests on oolong — partially oxidized tea — and especially high mountain oolong.
- What is the most famous Taiwanese tea?
- High mountain oolong (gaoshan cha) is the most prized, but Dong Ding oolong is the most historically iconic and Baozhong the most distinctively light and floral.
- Does Taiwan make black tea?
- Yes. Sun Moon Lake in Nantou produces well-known black teas, including Ruby Red (Tai Cha No. 18), an Assam-hybrid with minty, malty notes.
- Is bubble tea what Taiwan is famous for?
- Bubble (boba) tea was invented in Taiwan and is globally popular, but Taiwan's serious tea reputation is built on loose-leaf oolong, not sweetened milk-tea drinks.