Chiayi tea region's small-leaf black tea production drops due to weather
The Chiayi County Government commissioned the Meishan Township Farmers' Association to hold the 2021 Chiayi County Small-Leaf Black Tea Quality Tea Competition. This year marks the 3rd edition. Due to climate change and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, tea farmers in the Greater Alishan area submitted a total of 152 entries this year, more than 10% fewer than last year. In addition, overall black tea
The Chiayi County Government commissioned the Meishan Township Farmers' Association to hold the 2021 Chiayi County Small-Leaf Black Tea Quality Tea Competition. This year marks the 3rd edition. Due to climate change and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, tea farmers in the Greater Alishan area submitted a total of 152 entries this year, more than 10% fewer than last year. Overall black tea production also declined, but the judges still gave recognition to the winning teas, saying that tea-making techniques have clearly improved.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, epidemic prevention measures for this year's competition were upgraded further. Not only were tea submission and collection operations carried out by staggered times, zones and, all staff taking part in the judging work were required to undergo body temperature monitoring. Today, the 30th, the results were announced without opening participation to tea farmers; instead, the list of winners was revealed via live stream on the Meishan Township Farmers' Association Facebook fan page.
The list of winners was announced on site. The Grand Prize was won by Lin Shih-ping of Linyuan Tea Factory from Shizhuo Village, Zhuqi Township. In addition, there were 15 First Prizes including Chiu Hung-jen, 40 Gold Quality Awards including Wu Ming-han, and 49 Excellence Awards including Chien Cheng-hsuan. Entries that did not place accounted for 30.9% of the total number of entries.
Lin Chin-chih, section chief of the Tea Research and Extension Station, and Kuo Kuan-fu, former director of the Yuchi Branch, led professional tea tasters in phased judging. Kuo Kuan-fu said that this year's tea production was greatly affected by weather. First, the spring tea production period encountered drought, and in July and August there were several waves of rain. Because too much rain led to excessive nitrogen fertilizer, black tea could not be made properly. In addition, because tea farmers had to consider the upcoming autumn and winter tea production, many gave up making black tea, causing a clear decline in production.
Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang and Legislator Chen Ming-wen also personally attended the results announcement. Weng Chang-liang said that the standard of this evaluation was high, judging each contestant in an almost rigorously selective manner. In particular, the international market for black tea is vast, and if cultivated properly, entry into the EU and Muslim markets in the future is quite promising.
Weng Chang-liang further mentioned that Chiayi County secured agreement for the Tea Research and Extension Station headquarters to relocate south and be sited in Fanlu, which is of epoch-making significance for the future development of the local tea industry. Whether in terms of resource injection or the gathering of a large number of researchers in Chiayi, it is pivotal for the promotion, improvement and global integration of local tea. He also thanked Chen Ming-wen for recognizing the value of tea when he served as county magistrate. On such a foundation, Chiayi County will continue to drive the value of tea farmers through competitions.