Question 1

How do you source and select your teas?

Accepted Answer

At Formosa Tea Co., we take great care in selecting our teas to ensure the highest quality and authenticity for our customers. Here's how we do it:

• Direct Sourcing: We source our teas directly from trusted tea makers and high-altitude gardens in Taiwan, known for their exceptional quality and traditional tea-making methods.
 • Quality Control: Our team conducts rigorous quality control checks to ensure that only the finest teas meet our standards. We evaluate factors such as appearance, aroma, flavor, and texture to select the best teas for our customers.
 • Expertise: With years of experience and expertise in the tea industry, our team has developed a keen palate and deep understanding of Taiwanese tea. We use this knowledge to handpick teas that represent the unique terroir and craftsmanship of Taiwan.
 • Sustainability: We prioritize sourcing teas that are grown using sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. By supporting tea producers who care for the land and their communities, we aim to promote sustainability throughout the tea industry.
 • Customer Feedback: We value feedback from our customers and take their preferences into account when selecting new teas to add to our collection. By listening to our customers' tastes and preferences, we ensure that our tea selection continues to delight and satisfy tea enthusiasts worldwide.

Overall, our commitment to quality, expertise, and sustainability guides our tea selection process, ensuring that each tea we offer embodies the rich heritage and exquisite flavours of Taiwanese tea.

Question 2

Why is Taiwanese oolong tea considered premium?

Accepted Answer

Taiwanese oolong tea, particularly those grown in high mountain regions like Lishan and Alishan, are prized for their unique flavour profiles, delicate aroma, and exceptional quality resulting from the island's optimal climate and soil conditions. Taiwanese oolong tea often commands a higher price due to several factors:

1. High Altitude Cultivation: Grown at elevated altitudes, Taiwanese oolong tea benefits from a slower growth rate, enhancing its flavors and unique characteristics. However, this requires labor-intensive methods and results in higher operational costs.
2. Limited Harvests: Taiwanese tea plants undergo fewer harvests annually due to the region's unique climate conditions. This scarcity makes each batch of tea more exclusive and commands a higher price.
3. Quality and Craftsmanship: Taiwanese tea producers are renowned for their meticulous attention to detail and traditional craftsmanship. The harvesting, processing, and roasting of Taiwanese oolong tea require exceptional skill and expertise, contributing to its premium status.
4. Demand and Reputation: With its exceptional quality and distinct flavor profiles, Taiwanese oolong tea has gained global acclaim. The high demand, coupled with limited supply, further elevates its price, making it a sought-after choice among tea enthusiasts worldwide.

Question 3

Why choose fine Taiwanese oolong tea from Formosa Tea Co.?

Accepted Answer

At Formosa Tea Co., we're often asked about the factors that contribute to the premium status of Taiwanese oolong tea. Here are six key reasons why our Taiwanese oolong tea stands out as a top choice among tea enthusiasts worldwide:

• Authentic - True Taste of Taiwan:  With British roots intertwined with Taiwanese heritage, we speak the local language and have a unique understanding of the true authenticity of tea from Taiwan.
 • Single Estate: Not just single origin, we offer single estate tea, selecting among the best producers in the region. It's akin to selecting wine from a specific château in France or choosing a single malt whisky from a Scottish distillery.
 • High Altitude Cultivation: Grown at elevated altitudes, Taiwanese oolong tea benefits from a slower growth rate, enhancing its flavours and unique characteristics. However, this requires labour-intensive methods and results in higher operational costs.
 • Limited Harvests: Taiwanese tea plants undergo fewer harvests annually due to the region's unique climate conditions. This scarcity makes each batch of tea more exclusive and commands a higher price.
 • Quality and Craftsmanship: Taiwanese tea producers are renowned for their meticulous attention to detail and traditional craftsmanship. The harvesting, processing, and roasting of Taiwanese oolong tea require exceptional skill and expertise, contributing to its premium status.
 • Demand and Reputation: With its exceptional quality and distinct flavour profiles, Taiwanese oolong tea has gained global acclaim. The high demand, coupled with limited supply, further elevates its price, making it a sought-after choice among tea enthusiasts worldwide.

When you choose Formosa Tea Co., you're selecting the pinnacle of Taiwanese oolong tea excellence.

Question 4

I had never tried an oolong tea from Taiwan, what price point or where should I start?

Accepted Answer

Tea, much like wine and coffee, offers a diverse range of tastes and flavours to satisfy every palate. You don't have to break the bank to enjoy a great cup!

Various factors influence the price of tea, including production costs, harvest frequency, quantity, and rarity. For instance, our premium Lishan oolong undergoes cultivation in high-altitude and remote mountain regions, incurring higher operational costs such as transportation and staffing. With only three harvests per year due to the climate, production costs are further elevated. Despite these challenges, the result is a tea of exceptional quality and flavor, reflecting the care and dedication of those involved in its production.

At Formosa Tea Co., we are dedicated to sourcing the highest quality tea at every price point. Each of our teas undergoes rigorous tasting standards to ensure refined quality and flavour.

Question 5

What is the shelf life of your teas?

Accepted Answer

Our teas are carefully packaged to maintain their freshness and flavour. When unopened and vacuum-sealed, they can be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and will maintain their quality for at least 2 years.

Once opened, the tea is best enjoyed within the first 14 days. While some customers may take longer to finish their tea, it’s important to store it properly and minimise exposure to moisture and air (oxygen) to preserve its quality. This is similar to other products like coffee or wine.

For customers who order a tea caddy, we provide a bag sealer to help seal the open bag more effectively. However, please continue to follow the recommended storage guidelines to ensure the best results.

Instruction for Using the Sealer

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Question 6

Are your teas organic?

Accepted Answer

While not all of our teas are officially certified organic, we prioritise sourcing teas that are grown using sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. We partner with like-minded tea producers who are committed to sustainability.

Whether certified or not, they place great value on sustainable agriculture, using only organic fertilisers and avoiding harmful chemicals. They choose to forgo the cheaper option of herbicides, relying instead on manual weeding, even though this labour accounts for half of their annual expenses. It’s impossible to produce top-notch tea buds when the soil ecosystem is damaged by chemicals that destroy beneficial microorganisms, reduce soil fertility, and harm soil structure.

By prioritising these sustainable methods, we ensure our teas deliver exceptional quality while protecting the environment for future generations.

Question 7

What is your Cost per Cuppa?

Accepted Answer

We are committed to providing high-quality tea that’s both delicious and great value for money. The cost per cup is an estimated cost based on the minimum standard of the following brewing method. Here's the breakdown:

• Brewing Guide: Using 5 grams of loose leaf tea to brew a 250ml cup.
 • Multiple Steeps: You can steep the same 5 grams of tea leaves at least three times, yielding 750ml of tea (3 cups of 250ml each).
 • Cost Calculation: For a 75g pack priced at £11.95, this translates to 45 cups of tea, making the cost approximately £0.27 per cup (£11.95 ÷ 45 cups).

The cost per cuppa for our teas starts at about £0.27, making it an economical choice for enjoying premium loose tea. This estimate may vary based on your personal brewing preferences and the number of times you steep the leaves.