Taiwan's Liugui Mountain Tea Wins Gold at France's AVPA World Tea Competition

The Kaohsiung City Government Agriculture Bureau has long supported the indigenous mountain tea industry in Liugui. This year (2025), the region achieved remarkable results at the AVPA World Tea Competition in France: "Yao Xing Indigenous Mountain Tea & Coffee Workshop" won the Gold Award for white tea, while "Liugui Mountain Tea Story House" received the Best Flavor Award for orange tea. These wins brought Liugui's indigenous mountain tea to the international stage in spectacular fashion.

AVPA jury president Carine Baudry and technical judge Florian Aumaire, who hold Taiwan's tea industry in high regard, personally attended the award ceremony on November 14 at the 2025 Taiwan International Tea Expo in Nangang. Their presence symbolized the world's recognition of Kaohsiung mountain tea's unique character.

The award ceremony attracted tea experts, industry representatives, government officials, and academics from Taiwan and abroad, raising public awareness of the rarity and value of Liugui's indigenous mountain tea. Both judges noted that Liugui's wild mountain tea possesses a truly distinctive flavor profile with exceptional rarity in the international market, and holds tremendous potential in the specialty tea sector.

Beyond the ceremony, the two AVPA judges expressed deep interest in Liugui's mountain tea culture. On November 19, following the tea expo, they traveled south to Liugui for an on-site visit, accompanied by Zhang Lixin — a multi-time AVPA Gold Award-winning tea master from Miaoli's Xuejian Highland Tea. The group ventured deep into the mountain forests to observe the ancient wild tea trees growing on steep hillsides, witnessing firsthand the challenging natural environment in which these teas are harvested, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the precious conditions that shape Liugui mountain tea's flavor.

At midday, the group enjoyed a local lunch at Yao Xing Indigenous Mountain Tea & Coffee Workshop, experiencing the harmonious lifestyle of Liugui's tea farmers living alongside the forest. Afterward, at Liugui Mountain Tea Story House, 12 local tea farmers and producers gathered for a tea tasting exchange. Each farmer personally brewed their own mountain tea and introduced its characteristics and production process. The two judges tasted each tea one by one, offering feedback on aroma, depth, and presentation, and sharing insights on current international flavor preferences and market trends. This rare opportunity for world-class professional feedback deepened Liugui mountain tea's exposure in the global tea community.

Tang Jiafu, chairman of the Xinfa Community Development Association, stated: "With the support of the Kaohsiung City Government Agriculture Bureau, the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, and the Tea Research and Extension Station, Liugui's indigenous mountain tea has seen steady improvements in cultivation techniques, tea-making craftsmanship, and market visibility. Through participation in international competitions and exhibitions, we have not only demonstrated the strength of Liugui mountain tea, but also introduced more people to the unique flavor and value of indigenous mountain tea."

Agriculture Bureau Director Yao Zhiwang noted that Kaohsiung's indigenous mountain tea is particularly precious due to its growth in high-altitude forest land, the difficulty of harvesting, and its limited production. The outstanding performance at the AVPA World Tea Competition in France signifies that Liugui's unique terroir, natural environment, and the dedication of its tea farmers have earned international recognition. Going forward, the Bureau will continue to integrate resources across industry, government, and academia to support Kaohsiung mountain tea branding, elevate tea-making expertise, and promote industry refinement and sustainability — establishing Kaohsiung mountain tea as a new benchmark in the world of tea, rich in cultural heritage and international competitiveness.