During the International Certificate Class of Taiwan Specialty Tea, I developed a better understanding of Taiwanese Tea and the cultural significance behind it. After taking this class, I know more about the different teas that are made, their origins, how they are prepared, and how to identify them with our sense of taste, sight, and smell. And the tea ceremony made me experience the culture first-hand and showed me how respectful and professional it is. More importantly, I now understand why tea is essential in many cultures today and why it is popular worldwide, as it does a great job of showcasing the traditions and values of a nation to other people.

I enjoyed this class and all the information I have gained from it. Now knowing the intricacies a tea, I am able to using this knowledge to help me distinguish quality tea. I appreciate Professor Alex’s patience with us and the enthusiasm he had for the material. By having him as my instructor, it set me up for success.

Throughout the tea course, I deepened my understanding of the ways that oxidation levels and processing methods transform tea, from green to black, and gained a new appreciation for the ways tea exists culturally and linguistically in daily experiences. I also learned about the significance of being mindful and intentional in the traditional, and often ritualistic, practices of brewing.

The tea course is really great

This morning, I learned about the history, origins, and growing regions of various Taiwanese teas at Ciaocha Teahouse. I was surprised to learn that john Dopp from scotland helped bring Taiwanese tea to international recognition and find connecting tea makers and spreading knowledge. In the afternoon, I visited the Formosa Tea Industry and Culture Promotion Center, where I observed the production of Four Seasons oolong tea and had the chance to pick tea leaves myself. I learned the basic steps of tea processing: • Picking – One bud with 2–3 leaves • Withering outdoors – To reduce moisture and initiate oxidation • Indoor withering – To promote partial oxidation • Kill-green – Using heat to stop the oxidation process • Rolling – Shaping the leaves into ball form • Drying – To reduce moisture and stabilize the tea After that, I tasted a cold-brewed version of the tea. It had a fragrant aroma, a moderate level of strength, and was very smooth and easy to drink. Finally, I got to see the difference between hand-picked and machine-picked tea fieldsthe shape and structure of the tea bushes vary noticeably depending on the harvesting method.