Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) is in Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan. When Japanese brought Assamica cultivar to Taiwan, they tried to plant it in many places, and area surrounding this lake was where those tea plants thrived. Our 2020 Sun Moon Lake comes from family which is a third generation of hongcha makers, farmer who made it started making red tea at age of 12. Even in times when oolong gains more popularity this family is still dedicated entirely to making high quality hongcha. This tea is made of Hong Yu cultivar 18 (Ruby 18), which have some of natural spiciness that requires great skills to remove from taste but keep some of it in the aroma. Place where those tea plants grow is surrounded by orange and tangerine trees and whiff of their scent is still present in the aroma of dry leaves.
As soon as water hits the leaves, sweet scent of red, dried fruits and rose hip fills the room and promises great tea session. Liquor is sweet, smooth, medium to thick, floral and fruity. This tea is well balanced, rich and satisfying, its fruity character is complemented by notes of rose hip, floral accents and a touch fresh herbs. Very classy Taiwanese hongcha that was processed with great skill.
Its Cha Qi is surprisingly intensive for a red tea, refreshing, stimulating and lightly intoxicating.
Season - Late spring, first flush
Picking - Bud and two leaves
Processing - Half handmade
Elevation - Around 600 m