Taiwan's high mountain farms being phased out by government
Some of Taiwan's most famous and highly prized oolongs are threatened by a government clampdown on high mountain agriculture due to its impact on the environment. High mountain oolongs, grown at more than 1,000 meters above sea level, benefit from a unique microclimate and limited sun exposure that produce particularly fragrant teas with floral aromas and a milky aftertaste. However, their cultivation is a danger to the environment because pesticides and fertilizers used in farming contaminate water sources and land beneath, as well as strip the soil of moisture. High mountains are also susceptible to erosion, requiring vast amounts of trees with strong roots to prevent it. It is based on these environmental considerations that the Taiwanese government decided to curtail high mountain tea farms and is repurposing a sizable amount of their land.