Fushoushan Tea comes from one of the highest-altitude growing regions in Taiwan, with gardens located behind Lishan at elevations above 2,000 meters. To put that in perspective, it sits 600–800 meters higher than the Alishan tea district. The higher the altitude, the lower the temperature and the greater the diurnal temperature swing — the tea plants grow slowly, but the resulting flavor is all the more concentrated. Anyone who has tasted Fushoushan Tea tends to remember that crisp, clean mountain character. No manufacturing technique can replicate it; it is simply the taste of that land.
Why Fushoushan Tea Tastes Different
Many customers ask us: "What sets Fushoushan Tea apart from other high-mountain teas?" The most tangible differences come down to three things:
The Aroma Has a "Cool" Quality
This is difficult to put into words, but anyone who has tried it will understand. The floral and fruity notes of Fushoushan Tea are not warm and sweet — they lean cool, almost as if the mountain air itself has been folded into the cup. Some seasoned tea drinkers say it evokes cold plum blossom or apple skin; we think there is a bit of both, yet it is neither entirely. This is the distinctive aromatic profile that only high altitude can produce.
Noticeably Fuller Body Than Ordinary High-Mountain Tea
Because the plants grow slowly, the leaves are thicker and denser, with higher concentrations of pectin and amino acids in the cells. The resulting liquor has a certain viscosity — not concentrated to the point of bitterness, but a rich, weighty fullness you feel across the tongue. This texture is virtually impossible to find in teas grown below 1,500 meters.
Deep, Long-Lasting Sweetness on the Finish
After swallowing a quality Fushoushan Tea, the throat continues to produce a pleasant returning sweetness — sometimes lingering for several minutes. In our testing, a consistent Fushoushan Tea typically holds flavor through 7–8 steepings, with the sweetness actually becoming more pronounced around the 5th and 6th infusions.
Brewing Guide
Brewing Fushoushan Tea is straightforward, but a few details have a direct impact on what ends up in your cup. Here is the most consistently reliable method from our own testing:
| Parameter |
Recommendation |
Why |
| Water Temperature |
95–100°C — pour boiling water directly |
High-altitude leaves are dense; insufficient heat prevents the aroma from opening up |
| Leaf Amount |
Cover the bottom of the vessel in a single layer — roughly 1/4 of its volume |
Fushoushan Tea expands significantly when wet; overfilling will block the flow |
| First Infusion |
Rinse infusion — pour water in and discard after 5 seconds |
Allows the leaves to unfurl and removes surface impurities |
| Brewing |
First steep approx. 50–60 seconds; add 10–15 seconds for each subsequent steep |
Gradual extension extracts the full range of flavor from every infusion |
| Water Quality |
Filtered or spring water preferred; avoid unfiltered tap water |
Chlorine and impurities mask the tea's delicate aromas |
| Vessel |
White porcelain gaiwan or porcelain teapot |
Non-porous and flavor-neutral — lets Fushoushan Tea express itself honestly |
One practical tip: when pouring out each infusion of Fushoushan Tea, do it cleanly and completely — no liquid should remain in the vessel. Residual liquid left to steep will turn bitter and ruin the next pour. This single detail matters more than water temperature or timing.
Quality Recognition & Buying Guide
Because Fushoushan Tea is produced in small quantities and commands a high price, counterfeiting is even more rampant here than with Alishan tea. Some "Fushoushan Tea" sold for just a few hundred NTD per jin is almost certainly not the real thing. How do you tell the difference?
| Criterion |
Authentic Fushoushan Tea |
Reason for Suspicion |
| Appearance |
Tightly rolled semi-ball shape; thick, fleshy leaves; visible white down; deep glossy green |
Thin or small leaves; yellowish or dull coloring |
| Liquor Color |
Bright golden yellow, clear and transparent to the bottom |
Murky, dark, or pale |
| Aroma |
Cool floral-fruit notes with a mineral undertone; fragrance is persistent and enduring |
Thin aroma, or off-notes of staleness or mustiness |
| Taste |
Viscous mouthfeel; deep, long-lasting sweetness on the finish; holds flavor for 7+ steepings |
Thin and watery; flavor gone after 3–4 steepings |
| Price |
Typically several thousand NTD per jin or more; be cautious below this range |
Conspicuously low price marketed as "authentic Fushoushan" |
Our advice: Do not chase a bargain when buying Fushoushan Tea. It is better to buy a smaller quantity of tea genuinely grown above 2,000 meters than to spend the same money on a large bag of dubious origin. If a tea seller is willing to tell you exactly where the garden is, when it was harvested, and who made it, that transparency is usually a reliable indicator of legitimacy.
Our Fushoushan Tea — Sourced from Above 2,000 Meters
BESTEA's Fushoushan Tea comes from partner farmers in the mountains behind Lishan, hand-picked to one bud and two leaves and processed in-season. Every batch carries clear origin and altitude information — what you taste matches exactly what the label says.
Q Where is Fushoushan Tea grown, and what makes the environment special?
The gardens are located in the mountains behind Lishan in Heping District, Taichung City, at elevations above 2,000 meters. The area is perpetually mist-covered and cool, with rich humus soil derived from pristine forest land. Nearby landmarks include Wuling, Hehuanshan, and Deji Reservoir — placing it among the highest tea-growing zones in Taiwan. In this environment, the concentration of aromatic compounds in the leaves is several times greater than in low-altitude teas.
Q Is Fushoushan Tea the same as Lishan Tea?
Not exactly. Lishan Tea is a broader designation covering the entire Lishan growing region, which includes sub-areas such as Cuifeng, Cuilian, and Huagang. Fushoushan Tea refers specifically to the highest-altitude zone around Fushoushan Farm. In short, Fushoushan Tea is the highest-elevation, smallest-yield sub-region within Lishan Tea — and its flavor is correspondingly the most crisp and sharply defined.
Q What should first-time drinkers keep in mind?
Use good water and a white porcelain gaiwan, and pour boiling water directly. For your first session, keep the steep time short — around 40–50 seconds — to get a feel for the aroma and mouthfeel before going deeper. Do not add too many leaves; Fushoushan Tea expands dramatically when wet, and overfilling easily leads to bitterness. If you are used to mid- or low-altitude teas, your first sip may prompt a "this is completely different from what I've had before" reaction. That is exactly the right response.
Q How should Fushoushan Tea be stored? Does it need refrigeration?
Unopened, it can simply be kept in a cool, dry place — no refrigeration necessary. Once opened, seal it in a zip-lock bag or tin and try to finish it within two months. If you have bought a larger quantity that you won't drink soon, divide it into small sealed portions and store in the freezer. When taking a portion out, let the entire sealed packet return to room temperature before opening, to prevent condensation from affecting the flavor.
Q How can I verify that what I'm buying is genuine Fushoushan Tea?
The most reliable test: ask whether the seller can tell you the exact garden location, altitude, and harvest date. Price is also a strong indicator — authentic Fushoushan Tea is produced in very limited quantities, and anything priced below two or three thousand NTD per jin is almost certainly not genuine. BESTEA includes full origin traceability information with every batch of Fushoushan Tea. If we put it on the label, it is true.
BESTEA — Summit Grade
The taste of 2,000 meters cannot be faked.
Limited production. Transparent sourcing. Full batch traceability. Our Fushoushan Tea needs no sales pitch — one cup brewed at home will tell you everything.
