The island of Taiwan was once known as Formosa, which explains why the teas produced there are also referred to as Formosa oolong teas. Tea has been cultivated and processed at lower altitudes on the island for three hundred years and nearly all of it becomes oolong tea. Oolong tea is fermented, as a black tea, but the fermentaion is shorter in duration, yielding a tea that is 15 to 75 percent fermented. Most Chinese oolongs are only 15 percent fermented, where Formosa oolongs are often 75 percent fermented. Nowadays, the Taiwanese are making lighter oolongs that are fermented as little as 15 percent or even less called Jade oolong and Amber oolong. Becasue of this relatively low fermentation percentage, these teas are actually pouchong teas.

OOLONG TEAS

Tea cultivation only began in Taiwan in the mid 19th century and many teas that were produced in Fujian have been since also produced there.[6] Since the 1970s, teas and the industry in Taiwan has developed swiftly and substantially, alongside with the emerging economy. Accordingly, the major buyers of Taiwan tea are usually in the domestic market, with very small quantity left for foreign market.

Qualities of the teas in Taiwan are usually affected by the year and season, growers and areas of production. Different areas have different weather patterns, temperatures, altitudes and soil that ultimately result in the differences of teas. In some mountain areas, teas have been cultivated at ever higher elevations to produce a unique sweet taste that fetches a price premium.

There is usually an extremely wide variation in the prices of Taiwan tea. Affordable teas usually cost around dozens of dollars per kilogram, while quality teas produced by reputed grower and superior areas can cost up to several hundreds dollars[citation needed]. Some very rare awarded teas--also called "champion tea", which are graded as best selections in official contests, may reach thousands dollars in auctions[citation needed].

Dong Ding Oolong Tea
The name means Cold Summit. Dong Ding is a mountain in Nantou County, Central Taiwan. This is a tightly rolled tea with a light, distinctive fragrance.

Dong Fang Mei Ren
The name means Oriental (Eastern) Beauty. Also known as Bai Hao Oolong. This tea is tippy, with natural fruity aromas and a sweet tasting bright red tea liquor.

Alishan
This has large rolled leaves that have a purple-green appearance when dry. It is grown in Chiayi County, Taiwan at an elevation of from 3000 to 4500 feet. There is a short period of the day with full sun and this produces a sweeter and less astringent brew. It produces a golden yellow liquid which has a unique fruity aroma.

Pouchong
Also romanized as Baozhong, the lightest and most floral Oolong[citation needed], with unrolled leaves of a light green to brown color. Originally grown in Fujian it is now widely cultivated and produced in Pinglin Township near Taipei, Taiwan.