Oriental Beauty Oolong Tea

After doing some research I found that this tea dates back from the end of the 19th century, when Taiwan started exporting its Oolong teas overseas. At that time, tea was mostly harvested at low altitude in northern Taiwan. The legend has it that the Queen of England named it "Oriental Beauty" after she had it the first time. This tea has been my favorite of the teas I have purchased in taiwan. It has both a sweet smell and also a nice sweet taste.

Goose x2 Onigiri (rice triangle)

Description: Onigiri is a Japanese food style made from white rice that is usually formed into a triangular shape and wrapped in seaweed. These "rice triangles" are usually filled with any type of meat you want (beef, pork, fish, shrimp, or even wasabi)

History: "Dating back as far as the seventeenth century, and before the use of chopsticks became widesprea,d states that many samurai stored rice balls wrapped in bamboo leaves as a quick lunchtime meal during war."

You can purchase these at any local 711. However, the Goose x2 Onigiri is a place that makes them fresh to your order. This place is located on Renda road near the Food Temple. It has since been the only place like I have found in downtown Hsinchu. One of my personal favorite snacks.

Tung Ting Oolong Tea

Tung-Ting Oolong is a green oolong tea which means it has been baked less than dark Oolong teas. Leaves for this tea are grown in the Tung Ting region of Taiwan at an elevation of about 2,500 feet. The Tung-Ting region is usually covered by fog and clouds every morning and late afternoon which provide good growing conditions for tea leaves made into oolong. However, when brewed, it produces a golden-green hue, a very strong bitter taste along with a strong bitter flowery aroma, and a lasting aftertaste that just wont go away. Of all the tea i have had in Taiwan I must say this is my least favorite. I bought it so i will drink it and try to find some satisfaction in it. My chinese teacher told it that it is "Old Man Tea" because of the bitterness. I perfer the other oolong tea compared to this one.

Mautu Discovery Forest (Shane School Trip)

This past weekend we took a Shane English School trip to the Mautu Discovery Forest located in Hsinchu county. The place offers a bbq area with nice built in concrete set grills and a small building which sells Taiwan beer. After the bbq we followed one of the many trails which took us over bridges, around trees, and by beautiful waterfalls. I must say this is one of the best places I have been to in Hsinchu county. I would go back again in a second. Enjoy the pictures and if you have time check out there website.

Mautu Discovery Forest