Hsinchu

Definition: Hsinchu is a tea-producing region in northwest Taiwan. It produces the famous Oriental Beauty Oolong. The terroir is unique in that it is lower elevation than most Taiwanese oolongs, but it still produces quality tea. The rich, complex, peachy flavor is brought out by a combination of small insects that gnaw at the plant (thus distressing its leaves and altering the chemical balance of them for a unique flavor) and the artisans who produce the tea. It was created to compete with Darjeeling Second Flush tea, which also has a distinctive flavor that is impacted by insects.