Ming Xiang Tea Introduction
A Worthy Wait for the Essence of Tea Aroma In 1978, Chen Jianhong, driven by his profound interest in tea, decisively left his identity as a sculptor and founded Ming Xiang Tea House. At the age of 28, in an era lacking in information, Chen spent three years searching for books, literature, and friends in the tea farming community to independently explore and learn about the knowledge and techniques of "roasting tea." "In the first three years of opening the shop, I was often hungry because the tea just wouldn’t sell," Chen said with a gentle smile. What supported him throughout was his love for tea. This deep affection led him to write a sincere "self-recommendation letter" to Professor Tseng Chih-Cheng from the Biotechnology Institute of National Chung Hsing University after seeing his published paper in 2008. The next day, Professor Tseng called, inviting Chen to meet in Taichung, and their beautiful collaboration began. Through a partnership between academia and industry, Professor Tseng provided knowledge while Chen offered techniques. After six years of collaboration, they developed the signature product of the store – Roasted Oolong Tea. In the past, roasting old tea would take six years, but they shortened the process to two years using Qingxin Oolong to produce Roasted Oolong Tea rich in beneficial compounds such as "theanine" and "gallic acid," focusing on "caffeine-free and non-stimulating elements, gentle and non-irritating to the stomach." In 2017, Ming Xiang Tea House underwent a renovation, transforming into a bright and clean space with a simple yet elegant Japanese aesthetic. Every tea product in the shop is a result of Chen's meticulous roasting. He shares that during the roasting season, he spends more than eight hours a day by the fire, unable to slack off for even a moment. This dedicated routine lasts for a full 20 days to roast ideal tea. His obsession and dedication to tea stem from viewing tea not as a "commercial product," but rather as an "art," integrating this art into his life to create pot after pot of tea embodying the essence of time. Recommended dishes: Roasted Oolong Tea, Gold-Digging Beauty.
