What is Dong Ding Oolong Tea? It is said that because Dong Ding Mountain is often shrouded in fog and rain, with steep and difficult paths, those climbing the mountain must tense their toes (commonly known in Taiwan as "freezing toes") to ascend. This is the origin of the mountain's name, and the tea is named after the mountain. Below is a detailed introduction to Dong Ding Oolong Tea.

Dong Ding Oolong Tea, commonly known as Dong Ding tea, is a highly renowned tea in Taiwan. Dong Ding Oolong Tea is a type of Taiwanese Bao Zhong tea. The term "Bao Zhong tea" originates from Anxi, Fujian. Local tea shops used two square pieces of rough-edged paper to hold the tea, placing four ounces of tea leaves inside, wrapping them into a rectangular package, and stamping the shop's mark on the outside before selling them by the package—hence the name "Bao Zhong" (wrapped kind).

Dong Ding has a long history of tea production. According to "The General History of Taiwan," tea production in Taiwan dates back to ancient times. Old records mention that Shui Sha Lian (now including Puli, Sun Moon Lake, Shuili, Zhushan, etc.) community tea, with a color like pine needles, could ward off miasma and summer heat. To this day, tea from the Wucheng area is still sold in the market, with Dong Ding considered the best, though its output is limited. Another legend states that in the fifth year of the Xianfeng era (1855), Lin Fengchi, a villager from Lugu, Nantou, brought back 36 Wuyi Oolong tea seedlings from Fujian after studying there and planted them around Dong Ding Mountain, gradually developing the current Dong Ding tea gardens.

The broth of Dong Ding Oolong Tea is refreshing and pleasant, with a honey-green color tinged with golden yellow. Its tea aroma is fresh and elegant, and due to its unique fragrance, it is said to be an excellent choice for imperial-grade bathing tea. It enjoys a high reputation in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Dong Ding Oolong is produced near Dong Ding Mountain in Lugu, Taiwan. The mountain is often foggy, with steep and slippery paths. Tea pickers must "freeze" their toes to avoid slipping—the summit is called Dong Ding (frozen summit), and the foot is called Dong Jiao (frozen foot). Therefore, the output of Dong Ding tea is limited, making it particularly precious.

Characteristics of Dong Ding Oolong Tea:

1. The tea leaves are hemispherical in shape, with a dark green color and faint golden edges.

2. After brewing, the tea broth is golden, leaning toward amber, with a rich aroma of ripe fruit or strong floral notes. The taste is mellow, sweet, and smooth, with a pronounced lingering sweetness in the throat and a distinct roasted flavor.

3. When the leaves unfurl, they have grayish-white spots resembling frog skin. The leaves curl into shrimp-ball shapes, with light green centers and red edges—referred to as "green leaves with red borders" or "green stem, green belly, red border."

The above is an introduction to Dong Ding Oolong Tea, hoping it helps everyone understand what Dong Ding Oolong Tea is.