Sun Moon Lake Refreshing Tea Country - DIY Tea Blending Experience

Hugosum Tea Garden inherits Japanese tea-making techniques and cultivates premium tea leaves through eco-friendly farming methods. Step into the tea garden to learn about the main tea tree varieties of Sun Moon Lake black tea, personally experience the joy of tea blending, handcraft your own tea bags, and savor the rich flavors of black tea.


Lugao Community in Yuchi Township

Arriving at Lugao in Yuchi Township, Nantou, follow the guide into the community and tea gardens. Strolling along Lugao's main road - Xiangcha Road, you can see the reconstructed facade of Mochiki Tea Factory. Mochiki Tea Factory was once the largest tea factory in the area, covering over 300 ping (approximately 990 square meters), with an annual production of 27,000 Taiwanese catties. Unfortunately, the tea factory was destroyed in the 921 Earthquake. To revitalize the tea industry, Lugao community rebuilt the facade of the original Mochiki Tea Factory as a spiritual symbol of the area.


The reconstructed facade of Mochiki Tea Factory


Former Mochiki Tea Factory manager Shih Chao-hsing entered the "Tea Training Institute" in 1949 to learn tea-making techniques. As a veteran tea master who inherited Japanese tea-making skills, his passion and dedication to black tea has witnessed the rise, decline, and revival of the Sun Moon Lake black tea industry

The origin of Sun Moon Lake black tea can be traced back to the Japanese colonial era. The elevation and climate of Yuchi Township are similar to the Assam region of India, and it was selected by the Japanese as a key area for black tea cultivation. Assam tea seedlings were first introduced for planting in the 1920s. In 1936, the Yuchi Black Tea Experiment Branch was established at Maolan Mountain, led by technician Arai Kokichiro, to begin the cultivation and promotion of Taiwanese black tea.

After a century of development, the main varieties currently cultivated for Sun Moon Lake black tea include Taiwan Mountain Tea (Ruby Black Tea), Emerald Black Tea, Assam, TTES No. 8 (Yingluo Black Tea), TTES No. 18 (Ruby Black Tea), and TTES No. 21 (Red Rhythm Black Tea). Each variety possesses unique aromas and flavors. Walking into Hugosum's organic tea garden, under the guide's leadership, carefully observe the leaf shapes and colors of various tea trees and listen to the stories behind them.


The wavy cross-section of tea leaves is a characteristic of TTES No. 18 (Ruby Black Tea)


Tea garden tour with hand-picking of one bud and two leaves


Overlooking Shuishe Mountain from within the tea garden

Hands-on Tea Blending Experience
Becoming a professional tea master requires years of practice, from tea picking, tea processing, tea blending to tea tasting - each step demands skill and experience. Hugosum simplifies the complexity by offering a DIY tea blending experience suitable for both adults and children. Led by craftsmen, after gaining a deep understanding of black tea's production process, characteristics, and flavors, you can handcraft tea bags, try different combinations of tea leaves and spices, create your own unique flavor, and enjoy the fun of tea making.


The guide introduces the black tea production process


Using the black tea flavor wheel to visually explain the different characteristics of black tea


Ready to begin the tea blending experience


Choose to add your favorite tea leaves


Handcraft tea bags and become a little tea master

"Congratulations! Your exclusive tea fragrance is born." Pack the tea bags into a special carrying bag and take them home to savor slowly. At this moment, move to the dining area and enjoy the freshest black tea with the shortest food miles, accompanied by mountain scenery - a leisurely half-day escape from the busy world. Interested visitors can pre-book the DIY tea blending experience at "Farm Travel Supermarket" (農遊超市) - even solo travelers can join.


Take a break and enjoy Sun Moon Lake black tea

Woodworking Creations and Witnessing Tea Gold Scenes
Jichen Tea Factory (吉臣製茶廠) is located next to Hugosum Tea Garden. It is a DIY workshop combining woodworking and black tea. This old factory, which once primarily produced Assam black tea, was severely damaged in the 921 Earthquake. By chance, owl-shaped wood grain patterns were discovered in sliced Xiao Nan wood, leading to the start of a new woodworking DIY workshop business. After the tea blending experience at Hugosum, we recommend visiting Jichen Tea Factory to create your own wooden owl!

Just a 10-minute drive from Lugao, Riyue Old Tea Factory (日月老茶廠) is a black tea factory full of historical charm. The tea factory's vine-covered, simple yet elegant building has become one of the must-photograph spots in Yuchi Township. Riyue Old Tea Factory was established in 1959 and has now been transformed into a free-admission tourist tea factory.

Riyue Old Tea Factory was one of the filming locations for the famous TV drama "Gold Leaf" (茶金). Visitors can freely tour the tea-making machinery inside the factory, learn about the black tea production process, and purchase high-quality black tea made by the factory in the retail area. The surrounding mountains are extensively planted with tea trees, and cherry blossoms bloom every January and February, creating a unique seasonal landscape intertwined with the tea gardens.


Jichen Tea Factory (Sun Moon Lake Owl House)


Riyue Old Tea Factory was established in 1959


Riyue Old Tea Factory appeared in the TV drama "Gold Leaf"


Riyue Old Tea Factory also features cherry blossom scenery in spring




Hugosum Tea Garden (和菓森林紅茶莊園)
Address: No. 5-2, Xiangcha Lane, Xincheng Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County
Hours: 09:00-17:30
Phone: 049-2897238
Website: Link


Jichen Tea Factory (Sun Moon Lake Owl House) (吉臣製茶廠)
Address: No. 5-1, Xiangcha Lane, Xincheng Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County
Phone: 049-2895733
Website: Link


Riyue Old Tea Factory (日月老茶廠)
Address: No. 38, Youshui Lane, Zhongming Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County
Hours: 08:00-17:00
Phone: 049-2895508
Website: Link
Admission: Free