Taiwan is famous for producing some of the world's most refined and aromatic teas. From lightly oxidised high mountain oolongs to the honey-like sweetness of Oriental Beauty, Taiwanese teas offer incredible depth and complexity.
One of the reasons tea enthusiasts love Taiwanese tea is that most varieties can be infused multiple times, revealing new aromas and flavours with each brew.
In this guide, we'll cover some of the most popular Taiwanese teas, recommended brewing methods, and the teaware best suited for each style.
Why Taiwanese Tea Is Often Brewed Gongfu Style
Unlike many Western brewing methods, Taiwanese teas are commonly prepared using the Gongfu approach.
This involves:
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More tea leaves
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Smaller teapots or gaiwans
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Shorter infusions
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Multiple brews
The result is a richer and more nuanced tea experience that allows you to appreciate how the tea develops over several infusions.
Brewing High Mountain Oolong (Gaoshan)
High Mountain Oolong is grown at elevations above 1,000 metres and is known for its floral aroma, creamy texture, and smooth finish.
Recommended Brewing Parameters
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Tea: 6g
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Water: 150ml
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Temperature: 90–95°C
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First infusion: 40 seconds
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Second infusion: 20 seconds
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Third infusion: 30 seconds
Suitable Teaware
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Porcelain gaiwan
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Porcelain teapot
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Thin-walled clay teapot
Our Tip
Allow the tightly rolled leaves enough room to expand. A smaller vessel with good heat retention works particularly well.
Brewing Dong Ding Oolong
Dong Ding is one of Taiwan's most famous traditional oolongs. Depending on the producer, it may have notes of roasted nuts, honey, stone fruit, and caramel.
Recommended Brewing Parameters
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Tea: 6g
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Water: 150ml
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Temperature: 95°C
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First infusion: 45 seconds
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Second infusion: 25 seconds
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Third infusion: 35 seconds
Suitable Teaware
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Yixing teapot
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Chaozhou teapot
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Porcelain gaiwan
Our Tip
Dong Ding often benefits from slightly hotter water than greener oolongs, helping to reveal its deeper roasted character.
Brewing Oriental Beauty
Oriental Beauty is one of Taiwan's most distinctive teas. The leaves are naturally bitten by leafhoppers before harvest, creating sweet honey, muscatel, and ripe fruit notes.
Recommended Brewing Parameters
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Tea: 5g
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Water: 150ml
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Temperature: 90°C
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First infusion: 60 seconds
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Second infusion: 30 seconds
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Third infusion: 40 seconds
Suitable Teaware
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Porcelain gaiwan
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Glass teapot
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Porcelain teapot
Our Tip
A neutral brewing vessel such as porcelain allows the complex aroma profile of Oriental Beauty to shine through.
Brewing Baozhong (Pouchong)
Baozhong is one of Taiwan's lightest oxidised teas and is prized for its floral fragrance and fresh character.
Recommended Brewing Parameters
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Tea: 5g
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Water: 150ml
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Temperature: 85–90°C
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First infusion: 45 seconds
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Second infusion: 20 seconds
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Third infusion: 30 seconds
Suitable Teaware
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Porcelain gaiwan
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Porcelain teapot
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Glass teapot
Our Tip
Avoid using water that is too hot, as it can overpower the delicate floral notes that make Baozhong so special.
Brewing Taiwanese Black Tea
Taiwan also produces excellent black teas like Honey black, Ruby 18 and Assam-style cultivars grown in the mountains.
These teas are known for their smooth body and naturally sweet finish.
Recommended Brewing Parameters
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Tea: 5g
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Water: 250ml
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Temperature: 95°C
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Steeping time: 2–3 minutes
Suitable Teaware
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Porcelain teapot
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Clay teapot
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Glass teapot
Our Tip
Taiwanese black teas are generally less astringent than many commercial breakfast teas and can often be enjoyed without milk.
Choosing the Right Teaware for Taiwanese Tea
One of the most common questions we receive is whether a gaiwan or teapot is better for Taiwanese tea.
The answer depends on your brewing style.
Use a Gaiwan If You Want:
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Maximum control
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To explore multiple infusions
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To experience the tea without influence from clay
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To compare different teas side by side
Use a Clay Teapot If You Want:
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Excellent heat retention
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A traditional Gongfu experience
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To dedicate a vessel to a favourite tea style
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To enhance roasted oolongs and darker teas
Use Porcelain If You Want:
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Versatility
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Easy cleaning
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A neutral brewing environment
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One vessel for many different teas
For most tea drinkers, a porcelain gaiwan is the most versatile starting point.
Final Thoughts
Taiwanese teas reward patience and experimentation. Whether you're enjoying a floral High Mountain Oolong, a roasted Dong Ding, or the honeyed sweetness of Oriental Beauty, small adjustments in brewing can reveal entirely different aspects of the tea.
Start with the recommended parameters above and don't be afraid to experiment. Part of the pleasure of Taiwanese tea lies in discovering how each infusion unfolds and evolves throughout the session.