The Craft
Tea Making Process
From a tender leaf on the mountain to a perfect cup of tea, every step carries the craftsman's devotion and centuries of tradition
Harvesting
At six in the morning, tea pickers climb the mountain with their tools. The best leaves are harvested at just the right maturity to bring out the fullest aroma and flavor. Hand-picking ensures only the most tender two leaves and a bud are selected.
Sun Withering
Freshly picked leaves are spread on clean cloth and exposed to sunlight for sun withering. This step removes some moisture, softens the cell structure, prepares the leaves for indoor withering, and begins to awaken the initial aromatic compounds.
Indoor Withering
The leaves are moved indoors and spread on well-ventilated withering racks. In a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment, the master periodically turns the leaves to ensure even moisture loss while aromas continue to develop.
Tossing
This is one of the most critical steps in oolong production. The master rhythmically tosses the leaves by hand or in a bamboo sieve, causing slight bruising at the leaf edges that triggers enzymatic oxidation and develops the tea's characteristic floral and fruity fragrance.
Stir Fixation
Once the ideal level of oxidation is reached, the leaves are tossed in a high-temperature iron wok to deactivate the enzymes and halt oxidation. This step also develops a toasted aroma, locks in the fragrance, and removes the raw grassy notes.
Cloth Rolling
While still warm from the wok, the leaves are wrapped in cloth and rolled, compressing them into tight balls or twisted strips. This bonds the tea juices to the leaf surface so that when brewed, the leaves unfurl quickly and release their full, rounded flavor.
Roasting
Precision roasting is the tea's final transformation. The master determines the roast level based on the tea's character: light roasting preserves floral notes, medium roasting adds ripe fruit tones, and heavy roasting brings out deep, rich roasted complexity. This step also reduces residual moisture to extend shelf life.
Sorting & Packaging
Once the tea is finished, the master hand-sorts each batch to remove old leaves, stems, and any impurities, ensuring consistent quality across every lot. The tea is vacuum-sealed in foil bags to preserve its aroma, so every pack you receive is as fresh as the day it was made.
Tea Mountain Experience
Experience the Tea Mountain
Now that you know the craft, why not live it? Step into our Ali Mountain tea gardens and feel every stage — from leaf to cup — with your own hands.
Tea Ceremony
Led by a professional tea master, savor the delicate sweetness of Taiwan high-mountain tea amid the enchanting mountain scenery of Meishan, Chiayi.
Roasted Tea
Experience the traditional art of tea roasting hands-on. Learn how roasting transforms tea flavor through fun, interactive activities, and take home your own roasted tea.
Tea Picking
Stroll through the tea gardens, hand-pick tender buds, and experience a tea farmer's daily morning routine. Great tea starts with careful picking.
Different Teas, Different Craft
The process above uses Taiwan oolong as the example. Different tea types follow different methods — green tea skips oxidation entirely, black tea undergoes full oxidation, and white tea is only withered without rolling. Each technique is the finest expression of that tea's character.