Hugosum and Tea Forest Red Tea Manor Introduction
Sun Moon Lake Black Tea returns to the world stage through tea master Ishichō Seki, who entered the "Tea Industry Training Institute" in 1949 to learn tea processing techniques. He was later assigned to the "Chimu Black Tea Factory," where he inherited the traditional Japanese tea production methods, working as the factory director until his retirement. His passion and persistence for black tea have witnessed the rise and fall of the Sun Moon Lake black tea industry. At its peak, Sun Moon Lake black tea was highly popular, flourishing from the early Japanese colonial period's cultivation efforts to the prosperous tea era of the 1960s with tea plantations covering the hills. However, due to drastic changes in the tea industry and the influx of cheap foreign tea, the Sun Moon Lake black tea industry gradually declined. After six decades of growing and processing tea, the old tea master, with affection for this land and hope for the industry, remained committed to growing tea even as others became wealthy from betel nut cultivation. He chose to believe that black tea would once again shine. Currently, the next generation has inherited their father's artisan spirit and tea-making skills, determined not only to craft excellent tea but also to ensure that good tea is recognized, aiming to revive the image of Sun Moon Lake black tea. In 2005, they established a tea factory for tourism, providing a place to witness the historical and cultural development of Sun Moon Lake black tea. This initiative not only helps more people understand the knowledge of the black tea industry but also contributes to the local cultural heritage and promotes the culture of Sun Moon Lake black tea to the world.
