Ming Xiang Ming Tea Introduction
Abrew of Fragrant Tea Worth the Wait In 1978, driven by a profound interest in tea, Chen Jian-hong resolutely bid farewell to his identity as a sculptor and established Ming Xiang Tea House. At the age of 28, in a time when information was not readily accessible, Chen spent three years searching for books, literature, and connecting with tea farmers, learning and exploring the knowledge and techniques of "roasting tea" on his own. "In the first three years after opening, because the tea didn’t sell, I was often hungry," Chen remarked with a faint smile. What supported him throughout this journey was his passion for tea. In 2008, upon reading a paper published by Professor Zeng Zhi-zheng from the Graduate Institute of Biotechnology at National Chung Hsing University, Chen immediately picked up a brush and wrote an earnest "self-recommendation letter" to Professor Zeng. The next day, Professor Zeng called to invite Chen to meet in Taichung, marking the beginning of their delightful partnership. Through industry-academia collaboration, Professor Zeng provided knowledge while Chen offered technical skills, and together they took six years to develop the shop's signature product—Roasted Oolong Tea. Previously, the aging tea that required six years to roast was compressed into just two years using Qingxin Oolong, producing a tea rich in beneficial compounds like "Theanine" and "Gallic Acid." This tea is marketed as "free of caffeine and stimulants, gentle and non-irritating to the stomach." In 2017, Ming Xiang Tea House underwent renovations, now featuring a bright and clean space with a simple and elegant Japanese style. Every tea product in the shop is a result of Chen's own roasting efforts. He mentioned that during the roasting season, he would spend over eight hours a day by the furnace, never allowing himself to slack off, with this routine lasting 20 days to achieve the ideal tea quality. His dedication and commitment to tea come from viewing tea not as a "commercial product," but as a form of "art." By incorporating this art into his life, he nurtures pots of tea filled with the essence of time. Recommended dishes: Roasted Oolong Tea, Golden Beauty Tea.
