Emerald Tea Garden Introduction
Wenshan Pouchong tea is a well-known high-quality tea from northern Taiwan, with its production areas ranging from Wenshan to Pinglin. In the scenic Shiding District of New Taipei City, a young tea farmer named Tseng Jen-Tsung, who once worked in the city, decided to return home to inherit his father's tea-making skills and commitment, allowing the high-quality, pesticide-free Wenshan Pouchong tea to flourish in tea shops. The Tseng family has been engaged in farming for generations. Originally employed at an urban construction company, he participated in the “Drifting Birds Camp” organized by the Taoyuan Agricultural Research and Extension Station, which prompted him to leave his city job and take over his father's tea-making business in the Shiding Mountains. The Tseng family's tea plantation benefits from an excellent growing environment, making it a hidden gem frequently visited by photography enthusiasts. In the morning, a light mist envelops the tea fields and the Emerald Reservoir, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of an ink wash painting. At dusk, the vivid sunset like an egg yolk and the brilliant evening glow reflect beautifully on the calm waters of the reservoir, creating a stunning tableau as the sun slowly sets amidst the awed gasps of onlookers. What makes Tseng Jen-Tsung even prouder is the “Bagua Tea Garden” left by his father. The tea garden on a small hill is arranged in a pattern resembling the trigrams of the I Ching, reflecting the terrain and the growth of the tea plants. “This rare sight is known only to those in the know. Many photography lovers often arrive early in the morning and wait until evening just to capture a beautiful landscape photo,” he says. In addition to inheriting his family's excellent tea plantation and production skills, Tseng Jen-Tsung is eager to introduce new techniques and methods. He actively participates in various courses organized by the Council of Agriculture and collaborates with local agricultural associations for marketing, striving to expand his brand. The tea he cultivates with such dedication often wins awards. However, Tseng Jen-Tsung is not content with the status quo; the beautiful and serene environment of his hometown remains in his heart even when he worked elsewhere. Upon returning, he rediscovered the significance and greatness of this land and hopes to convey this natural purity through the tea he grows. Thus, he has embarked on a path toward healthy organic agriculture, cultivating non-toxic, pesticide-free tea that allows consumers to taste the healthiness of clean water and natural surroundings in every sip. Under Tseng Jen-Tsung's careful nurturing, the tea garden is now teeming with natural vitality. During summer nights, fireflies dance with the mountain breeze. Fireflies, which can only thrive in unpolluted environments, serve as a perfect biological indicator of the natural, pesticide-free surroundings, and they are the most beautiful encouragement for Tseng Jen-Tsung’s tea garden. “Where there is flowing water, there are fireflies. Where there are many fireflies, there are also many frogs. And when there are many frogs, one must be careful of snakes when passing through the grass!” He always reminds visiting tourists to the tea garden in a light-hearted tone. “Do not be afraid of these insects and creatures. A healthy environment fosters rich biodiversity, and only then will the crops grow healthily.” His philosophy regarding the tea garden and tea leaves centers on the pursuit of health and liveliness.
