Sun Moon Lake Black Tea | Nantou Signature Dish

The mist off Sun Moon Lake never truly clears, and the lakeside tea gardens grow up in that year-round warmth and humidity. Large-leaf tea shoots are rolled, fully oxidized, and steeped into a pot of amber-bright liquor. Lean in to smell it — Ruby's signature interplay of mint and cinnamon rises to meet you — yet the taste itself is full-bodied and round, with no bitterness or astringency. This is the homeland of Taiwan's large-leaf black teas, a streak of red born from the lake's embrace.

What is Sun Moon Lake Black Tea?

Sun Moon Lake Black Tea is a large-leaf black tea grown in the Yuchi and Sun Moon Lake area of Nantou. In 1936, Japanese authorities established a tea research station in Yuchi and introduced large-leaf Assam cultivars from India, cementing this region as the core production zone for Taiwan's large-leaf black teas. The warm, humid microclimate around the lake is ideal for large-leaf varieties.

The most iconic expression is Taiwan Tea No. 18 'Ruby' (Hongyu), developed by the Tea Research and Extension Station's Yuchi Branch from a cross between a Myanmar large-leaf variety and Taiwan's native wild mountain tea. It carries a distinctive mint-and-cinnamon fragrance, a vivid red liquor, and a mellow, harmonious flavour. Together with the traditional Assam and Taiwan Tea No. 8, Ruby forms a flavourful and instantly recognizable family of Sun Moon Lake black teas.

How to drink it the authentic way

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Brew hot — don't over-steepBrew large-leaf black tea with hot water and keep an eye on steeping time to avoid going too long. The result should be a vivid red liquor that is mellow and smooth, never astringent.

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Learn to recognize Ruby's fragranceTaiwan Tea No. 18 Ruby has its signature mint-and-cinnamon nose. Smell first, then sip — that natural fragrance is the key to identifying the real thing.

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Start with the tea straightGood Sun Moon Lake Black Tea has a naturally rounded flavour. Try it plain first to taste the original character; add milk or lemon only if you prefer a blended style.

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Compare the cultivarsRuby is aromatic and expressive, Assam is rich and full-bodied, and Taiwan Tea No. 8 is clean and balanced. Try them one by one to find the style that suits you.

Local knowledge

Verified facts (sponsored content excluded)

The 1936 establishment of a tea research station in Yuchi and the introduction of large-leaf Assam cultivars from India are documented facts about the origin of this production zone.
Taiwan Tea No. 18 'Ruby' was developed by the Tea Research and Extension Station's Yuchi Branch — it is an official breeding achievement, not a marketing claim.
Yuchi and Sun Moon Lake form the core production zone for Taiwan's large-leaf black teas. This guide is organized by tea variety; the Farmers' Association tea hall is noted only for location reference and future on-site photography.

Visitor tips

Ruby (Taiwan Tea No. 18), Assam, and Taiwan Tea No. 8 each taste distinctly different. Check the cultivar number before buying to avoid picking the wrong one.
There are many vendors around the lake. For purchasing, look for official channels such as the Yuchi Township Farmers' Association or packaging that clearly states the place of origin.
Coordinates are approximate field-survey values. Actual tea zone boundaries and shop addresses should be confirmed on-site.

Information compiled from the Nantou County Government tourism resources and local township farmers' associations. Sponsored content has been excluded. Photos will be replaced after on-site photography.

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