台灣特色茶之「凍頂烏龍茶」

台灣特色茶之「凍頂烏龍茶」

在台灣，烏龍茶指製作成半球狀的包種茶，「凍頂烏龍茶」是台灣最具代表性茗品，更是台灣烏龍的根本。選用青心烏龍一心二葉為原料所製成的半發酵茶。而茶葉採收會依照山區環境條件、季節配合、焙香程度，造成不同的香味與口感層次。台灣特有種--台北樹蛙，一樣會隨著環境條件的不同而變更身體顏色的能力。

「凍頂」這個說法有很多種，一說南投鹿谷的凍頂山；又有一說指早期生產凍頂烏龍茶的鄉村「凍頂巷」；或說客家茶農發音「山頂上」的茶樹。

頂級的凍頂烏龍茶特徵是：外觀帶有青蛙皮般的灰白點，葉尖捲曲成蝦球狀。沖泡後的茶湯澄清明澈，帶有桂花的香氣；茶湯味醇厚甘潤、耐泡和持久濃郁的回甘！

Taiwan's specialty tea "Dong-Ding Oolong Tea"

In Taiwan, Oolong tea refers to Semi-ball type Paochong tea. "Dong-Ding Oolong tea" is the most representative tea in Taiwan, which is the root of Taiwanese oolong tea. Semi-fermented tea made from one heart and one-tip two-leaf  Chin-Shin- Oolong. The harvesting of tea leaves will result in different levels of aroma and taste according to the environmental conditions in mountainous areas, seasonal coordination, and degree of roasting. Taiwan's endemic species, the Taipei Tree frog, also has the ability to change its body color in response to different environmental conditions.

There are many sources of the term "Dong-Ding". One of them refers to Dongding Mountain in Lugu, Nantou; another refers to the village "Dongding Alley" where Dongding Oolong tea was produced in the early days; or the tea trees that Hakka tea farmers pronounce "on the top of the mountain" in Hakka language.

Top quality Dong-Ding Oolong tea is characterized by its appearance with gray and white spots like frog skin, and the leaf tips are curled into shrimp balls. The tea soup after brewing is clear and pure, with the aroma of sweet-scented osmanthus; the tea soup tastes mellow and sweet, can be brewed many times an d has a long-lasting strong aftertaste!