YILAN XING YUAN TEA FARM
Over the past few decades, Taiwan’s tea production has shifted in favor of quality over quantity. As a result, authentic Taiwanese tea has both become more expensive, and harder to come by. A trip to Taiwan is the perfect opportunity to learn about and experience tea at the source. Not all farms are prepared to receive guests and offer activities and education, but Yilan’s Xing Yuan Tea Farm is well known for the educational experience it offers.
Once a traditional tea farm famed for its magnolia and jasmine fragrance teas, Xing Yuan has now shifted towards agricultural tourism and recreation. Hands-on experiences like tea pillow making and green tea ice cream making are both exceptionally fun activities for family and kids to enjoy during their visit.
A family business, Xing Yuan Tea Farm name is a combination of its first-generation and third-generation owners. Jing-yuan Liu, the current third-generation owner, had no interest in the family business until the unfortunate impromptu passing of his father changed his destiny. A 21-year-old Liu rushed back from overseas, and under the encouragement and support of his family, started the farm’s transformation to organic farming.
Xing Yuan Tea Farm specializes in creating innovative seasonal floral teas. Recent creations include Pomelo Flower Oolong Tea, and Orange Jasmine Jinxuan “Milk” Oolong, both excellent testaments to the art of tea production. The Jinxuan Oolong contains no milk, but has an alluring milky sweetness. Xing Yuan’s raw tea is also used in many local products: “Yilan Tea Biscuits”, traditional snacks shaped like ox-tongues, are buttery and ultra-thin wafers popular with local tourists; “Honey Scented Black Tea Popsicle” is a limited product in partnership with Ice Spring, a food company that is known for creating business opportunities for local fruit farmers.
Leisurely enjoying a cup of tea is a healthy way to relax. Be sure to check out Taipei’s Maokong Tea Gardens for one of Taiwan’s best tea picking experiences, and Alishan’s Hohocha Tea Farm for tea tasting experience. Learn about the art of tea production, tea leaf culture, and enjoy some local tea snacks at Xing Yuan Tea Farm.
