Young Tea Farmer Li Bo-Ru Wins Top Prize in Dual-City Oolong Tea Competition; Bicui Wenshan Store Launches Quick-Extraction Pouchong Tea

The New Taipei City Farmers' Association held the award ceremony today (31st) at Wenshan Farm for the 'New Taipei City and Taipei City Tea Processing Competition.' After a high-intensity, 2-day, 1-night tea-making contest, the Grand Prize was awarded to 23-year-old tea farmer Li Bo-Ru from Sanxia District, standing out among 48 outstanding tea artisans from the dual cities. The award-winning artisans will represent New Taipei City at the upcoming 'National Tea Processing Competition' in September.

Pouchong tea is known for its rich floral aroma, refreshing sweetness, and smooth taste, and is one of the tea categories in the 'striped tea' division of the National Tea Processing Competition. To cultivate skilled tea artisans, the New Taipei City Government's Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the New Taipei City Farmers' Association, organizes an annual tea processing competition to promote cross-district technical exchange among tea farmers. This year’s competition featured 48 participants representing 15 tea-producing regions from New Taipei and Taipei, including Pinglin, Shiding, Sanxia, Linkou, Xindian, Shenkeng, Pingxi, Xizhi, Shimen, Tamsui, Ruifang, Shulin, Yingge, and from Taipei: Nangang and Muzha.

The judging panel included Deputy Director Qiu Chui-Feng and Northern Branch Director Su Yan-Shuo from the Tea Research and Extension Station, along with Wenshan Tea Promotion Center Director Weng Qi-Er from the New Taipei City Farmers' Association. Judge Qiu Chui-Feng noted that this year’s competition period coincided with hot and humid weather, making the tender 'June White' tea leaves prone to bitterness and astringency—posing a significant challenge to the artisans’ adaptability and skill. Success hinged on precise control of indoor withering and moisture removal timing. The winning teas exhibited the signature fresh aroma of pouchong tea, with rich notes of osmanthus and gardenia, full-bodied liquor, and a clean, sweet, mellow taste.

Grand Prize winner Li Bo-Ru, aged just 23, competed alongside his father Li Chang-Jun, operator of Gufang Tea Garden, and his younger brother Li Jing-Min. Considering the tenderness of the tea leaves, Li adjusted his hand pressure during the five rounds of stirring and rolling to preserve freshness. This careful approach culminated in a clean, refreshing flavor profile during the final stir-frying at 3 a.m. The team worked through the night, submitting their sample just before the 8 a.m. deadline. Li expressed great joy at receiving his first Grand Prize recognition.

On the same day, the hand-shaken tea brand 'Bicui Wenshan Store' officially opened at Wenshan Farm. Utilizing the patented 'Next-Generation Quick-Extraction Tea Processing Technology' from the Tea Research Station, the store employs wet-cutting and cell-breaking processes to rapidly extract the aroma and natural sweetness of pouchong tea, drastically reducing extraction time. This method avoids the bitterness associated with traditional hot brewing. The store also launched a 'Pouchong Tea Soft Serve,' made from finely ground award-winning pouchong tea from New Taipei, blended with fresh milk.

Following the opening of Taiwan’s first farmers’ association-operated hand-shaken tea brand using quick-extraction technology—'Bicui Tea Drink'—in Sanxia last December, the 'Bicui Wenshan Store' marks the second location, officially commencing operations this year. This expansion brings premium New Taipei teas like pouchong and Biluochun into everyday consumer life.

Lin Zan-Zhi, Chairman of the New Taipei City Farmers' Association, stated that the contestants demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship under intense heat and time pressure, reflecting the vitality and continuity of New Taipei’s tea industry. He expressed hopes for continued success at the national competition. The association plans to launch various tea-based beverages and frozen treats at Bicui Wenshan, aiming to transform public perceptions of traditional tea and inject innovative momentum into New Taipei’s specialty tea industry.

Chen Xi-Hui, Director of the New Taipei City Department of Agriculture, emphasized the city’s commitment to 'Sustainable Agriculture for Production, Life, and Ecology.' By supporting competitions and tea brand development, the department helps farmers preserve traditional skills while expanding markets and attracting youth to return to agriculture. More information is available on the department’s Facebook page 'Jia Ri Shi Guang' (https://www.facebook.com/agr.ntpc/).