Varietals from Taiwan
Qing Xin Wu Long / Ruan Zhi Wu Long,
Qing Xin Gan Zhong, Qing Xin Da Pang, Huang Gan Zhong, Da Man Zhong, Ying Zhi Hong Xin
Qing Xin (“Green/Clear Heart”) or alternatively Ruan Zhi (“Soft Branch”) Oolong is one of the most commonly used varietal in Taiwan. It most likely originally comes from Anxi, possibly also from Wuyishan or Jianyang; in any case from the province of Fujian, where it is no longer found today. It was probably brought to Taiwan between 1850 and 1900. A lot of Taiwan Oolong comes from these plants, for example High Mountain Tea, Dong Ding, Bao Zhong, Oriental Beauty. Also grown in Thailand and now also on Jingmaishan, Yunnan for Taiwanese style teas (Chiang Rai Gui Fei, Gan On, Yunnan High Mountain and Yunnan Beauty).
Qing Xin Gan Zhong (“Green Heart Sweet Variety”) is an old varietal that is mainly grown in Sanxia in Taiwan. Originally a variety for Oolong (especially Fancy Oolong or Oriental Beauty), today it is mainly used to produce green teas (Taiwan Bi Luo Chun and Taiwan Long Jing), but also white and black teas (Bi Luo Bai Cha and Bi Luo Hong Cha, Mi Xiang Hong Cha).
Qing Xin Da Pang (“Green Heart Big Nothing”) is an older cultivar from Taiwan that is considered very good for Dong Fang Mei Ren / Oriental Beauty. It is also processed into ball leaf Oolong.
Huang Gan Zhong (“Yellow Sweet Variety”) is an old cultivar that used to be popular in Taiwan, especially for export teas. Often confused with Qing Xin Gan Zhong.
Da Man Zhong (“Big Slow Variety”) is a very slow-growing and therefore very aromatic tea plant that is only used for Oriental Beauty in Shiding and Pinglin, both Xinbei, Taiwan.
Ying Zhi Hong Xin (“Hard Branch Red Heart”) is an old oolong varietal that used to be processed into black tea and oolong in Shimen. It is very rare today, but was used to crossbreed new varietals.