Admire Taiwan’s Wild Mountain Tea Without Hiking – Exhibition Starts Now at Taichung National Museum of Natural Science

By MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

 

In Taiwan, where tea culture is widespread, getting a cup of tea is easy. However, as the environment continues to suffer from human activity, it’s not so simple to appreciate Taiwan’s wild mountain tea and the tea plant varieties behind famous beverages. From now until February 17, 2013, the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung, in collaboration with the Department of Forest and Nature Conservation at China University of Science and Technology, is hosting a special exhibition titled “Native – Taiwan Mountain Tea” in the museum’s botanical garden special exhibition room. In addition to displaying over 10 rare live species of Taiwan’s wild mountain tea, the exhibition will also feature the “Taiwan Tea No. 18” tea plant variety. Through appreciating these mountain teas and tea plants, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s tea culture and encourage public awareness and care for local ecology and native species.

Su Menghuai, assistant professor in the Department of Forest and Nature Conservation at China University of Science and Technology, pointed out that there are about 100 species of Camellia plants worldwide, and Taiwan has recorded 12 native species, most of which are endemic. Therefore, in terms of area, Taiwan boasts the richest diversity of Camellia species in the world, valued both for consumption and ornamental purposes. However, in recent years, these species have become increasingly rare due to human-caused deforestation in mid-to-low altitude mountain areas. To preserve and restore Taiwan’s precious native tea plant species and promote industrial economic value, in recent years the Taiwan Tea Research and Extension Station has hybridized Taiwan mountain tea with Myanmar’s Assam tea to develop the “Taiwan Tea No. 18” variety. The premium black tea produced from it, known as “Ruby Black Tea,” is highly favored by consumers—not only is it widely renowned, but it is also a valuable genetic resource.

In this special exhibition, in addition to showcasing over 10 rare live species of Taiwan’s wild mountain tea that have been propagated through wild branch cuttings, the exhibition also features “Taiwan Tea No. 18” and tea plant varieties related to well-known Taiwanese beverages. Zhou Wenhao, deputy director of the National Museum of Natural Science, stated that Taiwan’s precious native tea plants are a world-class resource. With the rapid changes in the natural environment, there is an even greater need to actively manage conservation efforts, promote species preservation and ecological balance. He hopes this exhibition will help the public learn about Taiwan’s valuable tea plant genetic resources and further understand the importance of tea culture in everyday life.

 

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