Eastern Beauty (Formosa) Oolong: The Bug-Bitten Tea

Eastern Beauty, also known as Formosa or Oriental Beauty, is a unique style of oolong tea originally crafted by the Hakka people in Northern Taiwan. Traditionally, the cultivar used for this tea is called "da pang." This tea is part of a fascinating category of oolong, with Gui Fei being a tightly rolled version, while Eastern Beauty features a twisted leaf.

What makes these teas particularly interesting is their classification as bug-bitten teas. When the tea plant is attacked by aphids or the green leaf hopper, the plant undergoes stress and produces a defense mechanism that enhances the flavor, giving the tea its distinctive honey-like sweetness. This natural process is what sets Eastern Beauty apart from other oolongs.