ali shan

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Formosa, meaning 'beautiful island', is what Dutch traders called Taiwan. The teas grown here, mainly north of Taipei, continue to be called as such. Tea can be harvested up to six times a year here, although the high mountain teas may be only twice a year. Oolong tea had been a very important export for the island until the 1980's, until tea growers turned their focus to the legions of oolong fans living on the island. Today, oolong tea is mainly produced for tea lovers in Taiwan, and the rarest, most prized lots are extremely difficult to find in the U.S. Tea culture is so alive and well in Taiwan, annual competitions are held amongst tea growing districts to reward the most outstanding oolongs each year. Gold medal winning oolongs are some of the most expensive in the world.