TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Napu Native Organic Tea Garden in Kaohsiung has won a two-star Superior Taste Award from the International Taste Institute (ITI).
The tea garden is run by Xie Guo-hua (謝國華), a member of Taiwan's Indigenous Bunun tribe (布農族). Tea leaves are cultivated with organic, natural farming methods, per CNA.
The award recognizes exceptional food and beverage products. A jury of Michelin-starred chefs and top sommeliers from across the globe decide on awarded products.
Evaluations are conducted blindly. First impression, visual, olfaction, taste, food texture or drink aftertaste are the five analysis standards, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs MOEA.
ITI's Superior Taste Award system contains three tiers: three stars for products scoring above 90%, two stars for 80-90%, and one star for 70-80%.
Kaohsiung’s Tauyuan district is a major producer of Taiwan native mountain tea. This includes the awarded Napu Native Tea (拿普原生茶).
Tauyuan is where most high-elevation mountain tea is cultivated in Kaohsiung. These tea trees only grow on foggy steep slopes, which makes them extremely rare.
Once brewed, the Napu Native Tea exudes a rich floral aroma. It has a distinct sweetness and a rich, smooth feel on the palate. The tea received unanimous praise from judges.
Xie Guo-hua, who manages the tea garden, returned to his tribe a decade ago. He dedicated himself to organic farming practices.
He eschewed pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This approach preserved the tea garden's ecosystem while fostering high-quality tea leaves.
Tribal industry empowerment programs allowed Xie to expand beyond tea production. He introduced tribal tea ceremonies and traditional food to visitors.
Maolin National Scenic Area Headquarters (茂林國家風景區管理處) Director Chien Ching-fa (簡慶發) said he hopes to strengthen local industry soft power. He is optimistic that international recognition will attract young tribal members back to their communities.
