Hi Tom
Whether or not Taiwan is part of China is a political issue. It was part of Fujian province before the Japanese took it away in the early part of the 20th century. China lays claim to it now, but in Taiwan is independent. When Mao won the civil war the losers took Taiwan, and the American government at the time was it's protector. In the last couple of years things have opened up more between China and Taiwan. They have very strong financial ties. Chances are that it will be absorbed in a similar way as Hong Kong.
I chose to focus on the mainland in the beginning, because it was much easier to get Taiwanese tea on the open market, and because I was interested in rural China. I do love Taiwanese oolongs and I am going there this summer so we will be offering some this year. This year, one of the areas I am focusing on extending is Taiwan oolongs. I won't buy any of the 'Taiwanese' green tea, the bulk of which is being grown in Sichuan, where the Taiwanese have leased vast gardens. Even some of the oolongs are being grown on the mainland are exported to Taiwan and sold as Taiwanese oolongs. There is no shortage of deception in the tea business, and tea can be produced cheaper on the mainland. Good Taiwanese tea, like all good tea, is expensive. The new teas I will be adding are on the high end. I will also be adding more Danchong oolongs from the Chaozhou area. I haven't made it there for a couple of years because I have been in China earlier in the season.
I try to make it a policy to get the know the producers myself, and you are right, there is a lot of ground to cover. I'll be in China and Taiwan for a couple of months this year making the rounds, in rthe spring and again in the summer. I'm excited about going to Taiwan this year. It's a beautiful place.
Austin
