• Taiwan oolong is also known as Formosa oolong; Formosa, the previous name of Taiwan, means "Beautiful" in Portuguese, as called by the first European explorers
• the original oolong tea plants came from China; due to limited cross-cultivation, oolong tea plants in Taiwan are very pure with only seven or eight varieties
• most Taiwan (Formosa) oolong teas are grown in high mountain regions; the cooler environment leads to slower growth and fewer crops meaning the tea is always in demand
• in Taiwan, high mountain oolong teas are considered the best
• the additional firing which oolong teas undergo, gives the Taiwan oolong teas a darker colour and stronger flavour