Formose tea

Discover Taiwanese know-how with Formosa tea

Formosa, Taiwan, China: there's no shortage of names for this island southeast of mainland China. In the world of tea, the island of Taiwan is traditionally called Formosa, a name it owes to 16th-century Portuguese explorers who called it ilha formosa, meaning "the resplendent island."

In Taiwan, the cultivation of Camellia sinensis began in the late 1700s, when tea plants from the Chinese province of Fujian were planted. By the following century, Formosan tea was as popular locally, where tea drinking was an integral part of Taiwanese daily life, as it was internationally.

Renowned primarily for the quality of its oolong or blue-green teas, the island of Taiwan also produces exceptional black teas. Its geographical location provides ideal conditions for cultivating Camellia sinensis.

Find your new favorite oolong tea through our collection of Formosan teas

With Betjeman & Barton,Formosa oolong tea is consumed upon waking or throughout the day. Fancy a typical English breakfast to start the day off right? Then discover our tea“Formosan Lapsang Crocodile”infuse for 5 to 7 minutes in water at 80°C to obtain a powerful cup with an intense smoky taste.

For a well-deserved mid-morning tea break or tea time, let yourself be tempted by our other Formosan oolong teas with varying oxidation rates. Succumb in particular to the sweetness of our“Formosa Pouchong Blatt”, a tea harvested in March-April and whose leaves are rolled by hand, following the traditions of northern Taiwan. Also fall for the subtle aroma of our tea“Formosa Jade Green”, a blue-green tea with peach blossom flavors that are decidedly pleasant on the palate. To prolong the pleasure, don't hesitate to re-infuse this Formosan tea with golden liquor several times. Bet again on our“Formosa Grand Oolong”Semi-fermented with notes of chestnut to enjoy a perfectly relaxing tea. With a low caffeine content, it is ideally enjoyed until the last light of day.

Finally, end your day in style with our oolong tea“Formosa Black Dragon”,a great specialty from the island of Taiwan, to be enjoyed plain to fully appreciate its irresistible aftertaste of dried fruit.

Treat yourself in shorta high quality Formosan oolong teaon our website. Sold loose from 100g to 1kg, our single-origin teas are perfect for every taste and will become essential in the collections of even the most discerning tea lovers.