Dear Friend,

	Tea Demonstration

Taiwan’s mountains and humid climate make it perfect for growing tea plants. But what a thrill to actually see tea planted along a mountainside!

We checked out the town of Pinglin, which produces a tea called Wenshan wrapped tea. At the Taiwan Ping Lin Tea Museum, we learned about the tea-production process (from plucking and withering to drying and packaging) and tasted some mighty good tea. In Taiwan, tea is often grown on terraces so that the mountain slope is used efficiently, the farmer can grow more tea plants, and the soil is protected from erosion during heavy rains.

Tea Plants		Terrace Farming

After visiting the museum, we went to a restaurant that specializes in preparing tea-seasoned foods. Each dish we ate, from soup to dessert, included tea as a main ingredient. We even ate fried tea leaves!

To top off our day, we learned how to prepare tea the proper way. Creating the perfect cup of tea includes washing the tea leaves in hot water several times and warming the teapot in hot water.

Your friend,

Carla