The Tea Research and Extension Station, which is affiliated with the Council of Agricultural Affairs, is seeking an evocative new name for a black tea varietal it developed 37 years ago that now goes by the pedestrian code name of Taiwan Tea No. 1.
So far, the station has received only two suggestions for the name of the tea, with both recommending it be called "Taiwan Red" (
The station spent 18 years breeding and developing Taiwan Tea No. 1, its first varietal.
It is a red tea that possesses a fragrance usually associated with oolong teas and has a hint of fruitiness when served over ice.
The tea reached the market during a time when Taiwanese black tea was hit hard by international competition, resulting in a slump in the market.
Subsequently, fully fermented black teas were surpassed in popularity by the resurgence of oolong teas in Taiwan, with the result that Taiwan Tea No. 1 never got properly introduced to tea drinkers.
The station has also developed other popular tea varietals including Taiwan Tea No. 12 and Taiwan Tea No. 13.
To find a new name, the station is accepting suggestions until the end of the year at tres202@ttes.gov.tw.
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