Trial planting was undertaken in 1980 under the guidance of the Taiwan Province Agricultural Improvement Station, and the following year, a major promotion was launched. In 1983, the first tea competition was organized, with Wu Chen-to, affectionately known as "Dr. Tea," serving on the panel of jurors. At the time he was heard to say: "I have never tasted such good tea!"
吳則叡指出，嘉義縣種茶從梅山鄉開始，民國六十九年在台灣省農業改良場帶領下試種，隔年開始大力推廣，七十二年首次舉辦茶比賽時，被尊稱為「茶博士」的吳振鐸擔任評審，他當場讚譽：「從來沒有喝過這麼好的茶！」