Taiwan Tea Ambassador Hsu Zhenglong Seeks the Tea Soul of Everyone

In 2025, for Taiwan tea ambassador Thomas Shu, Taiwanese oolong tea is not just a beverage but also a culture. With its semi-spherical appearance, tightly rolled leaves, each leaf carries the dedication of craftsmen. Every cup of tea embodies the unique local customs and characteristics of Taiwan. Thomas Shu explores people’s preferences for different teas based on flavor, aroma, color, and texture.

Thomas Shu believes that there are no set rules or steps to drinking tea; as long as one understands the flavor, aroma, color, and texture of the tea leaves, they can identify and find their true love in tea. By tasting the flavor with the tongue and taste buds, one can experience the taste and aftertaste of the tea; by smelling the aroma, they can sense the layers of fragrance in the tea soup; by visually inspecting the color and transparency of the tea soup, and finally, by enjoying the smoothness or astringency of the tea soup, one can appreciate the texture and aftertaste of the tea soup.

He exemplifies that lightly fermented oolong tea carries floral notes, the medium-fermented Golden Series has nutty aromas, and the heavily fermented Ruby Series presents a unique ripe fruit aroma. From the aroma, one can also identify the color of the tea soup – clear green for jade-green tea, golden for the more well-known oolong, and red for the Ruby Series, which represents black tea. Thomas Shu hopes to change the way people perceive tea varieties like Taiwan Tea No. 18, Dong Ding Oolong, and Wenshan Baozhong, making it easier for Westerners to understand Taiwanese teas.

By smelling, observing, tasting, and savoring, one will gradually notice the subtle differences between different teas. There’s no need to memorize the names of various tea varieties; instead, focusing on the feelings and preferences for tea can help one develop a deeper understanding, enjoy the tea-drinking lifestyle, and eventually discover their “tea soul.”

In the coffee-dominant European and American societies, Taiwanese tea is gaining acceptance and popularity. Thomas Shu believes this is because of the mutual trust between Taiwanese tea producers and the tea itself. Every step of tea processing – from picking, withering, shaking, fixing, rolling, to drying – is carried out meticulously. It is the dedication of Taiwanese tea farmers and tea makers over more than a hundred years that has allowed Taiwanese tea to go international and sustainably develop.

In recent years, Taiwan’s tea industry has started embracing ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles, not only to reduce environmental and social risks but also to enhance brand image, attract sustainable investments, and achieve long-term business benefits and social value. Thomas Shu is dedicated to introducing Taiwanese tea to Western societies and frequently organizes trips to Taiwanese tea gardens and factories, allowing people from different cultural backgrounds to understand Taiwan tea through firsthand experience.

Welcome friends from all walks of life to enjoy a complimentary tea tasting experience at JT & Tea Cupping Studio, where you can savor various excellent Taiwanese teas.