Basic Introduction to Yunlian Bitter Tea
Yunlian County, Sichuan Province, is a true “Bitter Tea Homeland,” and Yunlian Bitter Tea enjoys the reputation of “Green Mountains and Clear Waters.” According to statistics, in 2010, the county had 120,000 mu (approximately 8,000 hectares) of bitter tea planted, with a production reaching 173 million dan (approximately 865 tons), generating over 100 million yuan in output value. It has become the largest small-leaf bitter tea base county in China, accounting for over 50% of the national bitter tea market share. The product is sold in major cities across the country and has become a pillar industry for farmers' income growth and a specialty industry cultivated by the industrial structure in Yunlian.
Nutritional Value
Bitter tea not only contains various amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements such as zinc, manganese, and rubidium that are essential for the human body but also has effects such as lowering blood lipids, increasing coronary artery blood flow, improving myocardial blood supply, and fighting arteriosclerosis. It can effectively prevent and treat symptoms like dizziness, headaches, chest tightness, fatigue, and Insomnia in patients with Cardiovascular diseases, thus being favored by middle-aged and elderly people.
Product Characteristics
The appearance of the tea is finely twisted strands with a lustrous green color. The Infusion is a bright green color with a slightly bitter taste followed by a sweet aftertaste. The leaves at the bottom of the cup are tender and bright green. After brewing, the tea leaves remain intact and lively. The leaves are oval-shaped and long-rounded, leathery, not wrinkled, some slightly curled longitudinally. The top surface is yellow-green or gray-green with a glossy sheen, while the underside is yellow-green. The taste is slightly bitter. Bitter tea can bidirectionally regulate metabolic functions, enhance the body's immune function, significantly reduce serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein levels in hyperlipidemic patients. It has effects such as clearing the throat, detoxifying heat, protecting the Liver, alleviating alcohol effects, reducing inflammation, and aiding digestion. It is also effective in treating high blood pressure, high blood lipids, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, colitis, constipation, hemorrhoids, and various oral inflammations. When used externally by boiling water, it can kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and treat conditions like red eye, acne, prickly heat, and other ailments. Drinking it regularly can help maintain health, prolong life, and is known as the “longevity tea” and “beauty tea.” It is a pure, natural, multi-functional health treasure.
Historical Folklore
Legend has it that during the Tang Dynasty, there was a poet named Song in Anshu City whose literary talent surpassed others, yet he failed to pass the imperial examinations even after reaching middle age. Consequently, he traveled south and became a recluse in Xiqiao Mountain, teaching the mountain folk how to grow tea. In order to find a method to germinate bitter tea seeds, he first fed tea fruit to cranes and then attempted to germinate the seeds from their droppings, which did not succeed. Later, following the guidance of a fairy, he used fairy water from the Penglai Pavilion for soaking, finally achieving success. This made Xiqiao Mountain a well-known tea area far and wide. Song spent ten years planting tea and writing poetry in the mountains, and only passed the imperial examination at the age of seventy. Later, people built a tea immortal temple on the mountain to commemorate his good deeds.
Awards and Honors of Yunlian Bitter Tea
In 2009, Yunlian Bitter Tea received the title of the Ninth Session of “Sichuan Famous Brand Products.” In 2010, the “Bitter Tea Homeland” was approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and included in the list of products protected under national geographical indication protection.