Formosa Brew — Tea Shaped by a Mountain Island, Taiwan

A Small Island, Steep Mountains, Endless Diversity

Taiwan is a small island, yet more than two-thirds of its land is mountainous.
Tea does not grow easily here.

Planting, harvesting, and crafting tea on steep slopes requires resilience, patience, and constant adaptation. Over time, this challenging environment has shaped not only Taiwan’s tea, but also the people who cultivate it—diverse in expression, quietly strong, and deeply creative.

At FORMOSA brew, we believe that Taiwan’s tea reflects the character of the island itself:
diverse, resilient, and alive with creative.

From “Formosa” to Formosa Oolong

When European sailors first encountered this mist-covered island centuries ago, they named Taiwan Formosa—the beautiful island.

In the mid-19th century, Taiwan’s tea began to travel across the seas. Though never a large-scale producer, Taiwan quickly gained international recognition for quality rather than quantity. High-mountain terroir, a temperate climate, and generations of skilled craftsmanship gave rise to what became known as Formosa Oolong.

By the late 1800s, it was enjoyed in the tearooms of London, Paris, and New York—admired for its natural floral and fruity aromas, soft texture, gentle sweetness, and luminous golden liquor.

Our Name, Our Intention

FORMOSA brew（茶蘊・福爾摩沙） carries this philosophy in its name.

• Cha (茶) — tea itself
• Yun (蘊) — accumulation, depth, and cultural heritage

Together, they represent tea as a living tradition: shaped by time, place, and human hands.

Sharing Taiwan, Simply

At FORMOSA brew, our intention is to introduce the diversity of Taiwan—its people and its tea—to Europe.

Just as Taiwan’s tea is shaped by different landscapes, elevations, and hands, Taiwan’s culture is formed through plurality, resilience, and openness. We see tea as a way to communicate this spirit, not through formality, but through everyday enjoyment.

We also believe that appreciating good tea does not require elaborate tools or strict tea ceremonies. With quality leaves and simple utensils, a meaningful tea experience can begin anywhere—quietly, naturally, and at your own pace.

Based in Brussels, Belgium

 

Founder’s Note

LIN, Founder of FORMOSA brew

LIN was born and raised in Taiwan and is a certified tea taster.
FORMOSA brew began from something very simple: she could not live without Taiwan tea.
And every time she shared it with friends in Europe, she witnessed the same reaction—surprise, curiosity, and genuine admiration for its depth and character.

Living in Europe, Lin once struggled with questions of identity.
Her ancestors came from China generations ago, her mother tongue is Chinese, and she carries one quarter Japanese heritage—yet her nationality is Taiwanese. This sense of being shaped by multiple influences, while not fully belonging to any dominant narrative, is a reality shared by many people in Taiwan.

For a long time, this in-between position created uncertainty. But through Taiwan’s tea and agricultural culture, Lin gradually found clarity. She saw how life on a small, mountainous island had shaped its people—diverse in expression, resilient in spirit, and deeply creative in how they respond to limitations.

Today, FORMOSA brew is her way of sharing this understanding with the world.
Through tea, she introduces not only flavors, but the lived experience of Taiwan and its people—honestly, without simplification, and with quiet confidence.