Nestled within the “Kengzi Stream Leisure Agricultural Area” in Luzhu, Taoyuan, the “Yutai Tea Factory” has deep roots spanning over a century, now flourishing under the guidance of the fourth generation of the Zeng family. In the early years of the Republic of China, the family grew vegetables and citrus fruits in this area. Tea was inadvertently planted in the citrus orchards, primarily for medicinal purposes. As time went by, the Zeng family shifted from farming as a side venture, to becoming accomplished professional tea farmers, consistently earning accolades for their produce
Introduction
Observe Tea Processing and Experience Proper Tea Evaluation
The brand of “Yutai Tea Factory” was established during the tenure of the third-generation proprietor, Zeng Wenjian. Zeng staunchly upholds the legacy of his forebears, transforming tea cultivation from a side venture into the main family business. In 1978, encouraged by the Tea Refinement Station, he founded the first tea production and marketing course in the Luzhu region, producing large-leaved oolong tea to renowned Taiwanese tea varieties such as No. 12, 13, and 14, including exporting red tea to the United Kingdom. The business grew to the extent that their own tea yield was insufficient, which led to the need to purchase tea leaves from neighboring farms for tea processing.
Upon entering the “Yutai Tea Factory,” visitors encounter the traditional tea processing facility on the left, where they can witness the entire tea-making process from plucking the tea leaves to their transformation into finished tea products. Guests receive an enriching experience in observing different stages of tea processing based on when they visit. Those who book guided tours get to hear Mr. Zeng Zhiqiang, the fourth-generation proprietor who was raised in the tea environment since he was a child, eloquently discuss various tea processing techniques, while delving into the thousand-old tea culture, including Japanese green tea, British black tea and India’s Darjeeling, hearing those valuable insights akin to feeling a breath of fresh air.
Features of Agricultural Tourism
Tea
On the right, what at first glance appears to be a horticultural company actually showcases a myriad of colorful and exotic plants. Following the winding pathways, visitors arrive at the tea-tasting area, where they can engage in DIY painting of wooden coasters. An intriguing activity involves sorting tea twigs from baked tea leaves, a simple yet repetitive task that provides modern people with a therapeutic experience for, culminating in the creation of tea bags containing both tea leaves and twigs which they can bring home. Another invaluable experience is tea tasting, wherein guests follow standard evaluation procedures in considering factors such as tea weight, brewing temperature and duration. Visitors get to be a tea connoisseur, and proceed to assess tea color, aroma, taste, and aftertaste, ultimately selecting a tea that perfectly suits their palate.
