Floating Mountain Tea
New York Taiwanese-oolong specialist founded by Shiuwen Tai in 2018. One of the most editorially-focused tea operations in the US, dedicated almost entirely to Taiwan.
Floating Mountain Tea operates with a level of editorial focus rare in American specialty tea: the catalog is dedicated almost exclusively to Taiwan, with deep coverage of high-mountain oolongs, aged oolongs, and Taiwanese black teas. Shiuwen Tai founded the operation in 2018 after extensive time in Taiwan; the producer relationships span multiple Taiwanese mountains (Lishan, Dayuling, Alishan, Shanlinxi) and individual farmers.
The single-vertical focus produces unusually informed curation. Where most American tea brands carry one or two Taiwanese oolongs as part of a broader catalog, Floating Mountain's catalog might include 8-12 Taiwanese oolongs from different mountains, cultivars, and oxidation/roast profiles. The aged-oolong selection is particularly notable — well-stored aged Taiwanese oolongs are difficult to source authentically outside Taiwan, and Floating Mountain has built relationships that bring vintage lots to American drinkers.
Focus areas
Tea types carried
- Oolong
- Black