Legend has it... during the early Japanese occupation period, a tea farmer from Beipu went to Taipei to participate in a tea exhibition and sale. The Taiwan Governor's Office purchased all the Beipu Pengfeng Tea on display at a sky-high price, twenty times the monthly salary of the local township chief at the time. When the news reached Beipu, locals dismissed it as 'pengfeng' (bragging). Unexpectedly, the next day's newspapers confirmed it was true, and the name 'Pengfeng Tea' spread and has been used ever since. Additionally, an English merchant presented Pengfeng Tea to the British Queen for tasting. Delighted after one sip, the Queen praised it highly and bestowed the name 'Oriental Beauty Tea'.
The official name of "Pengfeng Tea" is "Baihao Oolong," named for the plump, crystal-like hairs on the tea buds. It is produced only in a few areas worldwide: Emei and Beipu in Hsinchu County, Taiwan, and Miaoli County, Pinglin in Taipei County, etc. Its rarity and unique flavor make Pengfeng Tea the finest among Taiwanese oolong teas. Emei Township, in particular, has made a name for itself with "Oriental Beauty Tea," establishing it as a representative local specialty.
The appearance of Pengfeng Tea leaves is quite beautiful, with the leaves displaying a blend of five colors—white, green, yellow, red, and brown—making them vibrant and lovely. As it is one of the more heavily fermented semi-fermented teas, the tea soup has a deep amber color. It tastes rich and mellow, with a distinctive ripe fruit aroma and honey sweetness, offering a unique flavor profile.
Opinions vary on how to brew delicious Pengfeng Tea. One method suggests the water temperature should not be too hot, with 88-93 degrees Celsius being most suitable, steeping for about 30-45 seconds before pouring. For tea ware, it's best to use a transparent glass cup or a white lidded bowl to clearly appreciate the beautiful posture of the tea leaves in the water and the amber tea color.
Pengfeng Tea can also be adapted into many fancy drinking styles, much like black tea. For example, adding a drop or two of brandy to hot tea gives it a champagne-like flavor, called Champagne Oolong; adding fresh milk creates honey milk tea. It can also be enjoyed iced or mixed with fruit wine to make a cocktail. As for culinary uses, Oriental Beauty Chicken Soup is the most popular. Simmering the tea leaves with a whole chicken for two hours fully integrates the meat and tea aromas, resulting in a fragrant, mellow, and sweet broth.