Qing dynasty

The Green Tea Production Skills (Yuhua Tea Production Skills) are mainly practiced in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Yuhua tea plantations mostly adopt an intercropping model with trees and bushes, primarily located on loess hills between 20-50 meters above sea level. The soil is a yellowish-red type, slightly acidic, with an organic matter content of 1.89%. In the late Qing Dynasty, Lu Yong and others established the national tea research institution "Jiangnan Planting Tea Bureau" on Zijin Mountain in Nanjing. They reclaimed land around Linggu Temple for tea planting and production, naming the tea "Cloud Mist Tea." After the Xinhai Revolution, tea makers developed the technique of rolling the leaves into slender shapes, giving Cloud Mist Tea its initial pine needle-like appearance. Following liberation, they incorporated techniques of grabbing and straightening the leaves, which finalized the tea's tight, fine, round, and straight pine needle shape. It was renamed "Yuhua Tea" in 1959. Production Skills The Green Tea Production Skills (Yuhua Tea Production Skills) represent traditional Chinese green tea needle-shaped production techniques. The main process of Yuhua Tea production involves: fresh leaf picking → spreading out → pan-firing → rolling → preliminary drying → shaping → final drying → refinement → baking…

Kaihua Longding Tea is produced in Baisan, Qixi Township, Kaihua County, Zhejiang Province. It is a newly created tea brand that started in 1959. Kaihua County is located at the junction of Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces in western Zhejiang, at the source of the Qiantang River. The mountains in the county run from northwest to southeast, and it has a warm and humid subtropical monsoon climate with distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, frequent cloud cover, and less sunlight. On average, there are 83 foggy days per year, with some areas having over 120 foggy days annually. The area is perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, making it one of the cloudiest mountainous regions in Zhejiang province. As the saying goes, "High mountains and cloudy mists produce fine tea," and indeed, Kaihua County is an excellent place for growing green tea. The main types of soil in tea gardens within Kaihua County are red soil and yellow soil. Red soils are mostly found below 650 meters altitude in low hills, with a soil layer thickness of 30 cm to 60 cm, organic matter content of 1.44% to 4.05%, and pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.5. Yellow soils are mainly distributed in…

Qimen black tea, abbreviated as "Qihong," is one of China's top ten traditional teas and one of the world's three most fragrant black teas. It is named after Qimen County in Anhui Province. Qimen black tea was successfully created in the first year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1875). Upon its introduction, it gained a reputation both domestically and internationally for its unique quality. Traditionally, Qimen black tea was made by hand, with quality largely depending on manual skill, hence why it is also known as "Qimen Gongfu." The tea-making skills for Qimen black tea are divided into preliminary processing and finishing. Preliminary processing includes withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying; while finishing includes sieving, cutting, winnowing, sorting, blending, re-drying, and leveling. Withering Rolling Fermentation Drying The characteristics of Qimen black tea include a fine and slender appearance, good tip formation, and a lustrous dark color; a bright red liquor; a rich fragrance with floral and fruity notes; a smooth and sweet taste; and a uniform, tender, and soft leaf base. Qimen black tea particularly emphasizes tenderness and the tightness of the tea leaves. Defective qualities include hollow and loose texture, dull gray color, pale liquor, rough aroma,…

Puer tea has the characteristic of becoming more fragrant with age, and its true value is best realized during post-fermentation transformation. This is why aged Puer teas are highly favored. What are the precautions for collecting Puer tea? Puer Tea Collection Precautions Firstly, some people blindly pursue Puer teas that are 30 to 50 years old, even seeking rare aromas like camphor or lotus. In reality, Puer teas over 20 years old are already quite scarce, and those over 30 to 40 years old are exceedingly rare. Some so-called "aged teas" sold on the market for hundreds of yuan are actually produced by merchants using teas that are only one to two years (or even a few months) old, compressed at a cost of just tens of yuan. Secondly, many believe that they can make substantial profits from collecting and aging Puer tea. However, there are significant challenges in personally collecting Puer tea at home. The aging process of Puer tea is influenced by factors such as time, temperature, air, humidity, and environment. Different storage environments and temperatures can result in significant differences in the quality of the tea. One characteristic of tea is its ability to absorb odors; therefore,…

1. Minbei Narcissus The original name of Narcissus was "Zhuxian," originating from the "Zhuxian Cave" on Yanyi Mountain in Dahan Village, Xiaohu Town, Ouning County (now Dahan Village, Shuigil Township, Jianyang City). It started during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1821 AD), and due to the local pronunciation where "Zhu" sounds like "Shui," it gradually became known as "Narcissus" or "Minbei Narcissus." According to "Records of Unusual Fujian Products," "In Ouning County's Liuda Lake, there is a type of tea with coarse, long leaves named Narcissus because its flavor resembles that of the Narcissus flower..." The new chronicles of Chong'an County record: "The mother tree of Narcissus is located beneath the Zhuxian Cave in Taotzigang, Dahan, Shuigil County (now part of Jianyang City). During the Daoguang period, a farmer surnamed Su discovered it and propagated it widely." Additionally, according to the Daoguang "Ouning County Annals," "Narcissus tea comes from Dayi Village (today Xiaohu Town), Dahan. There is a mountain called Yan Cha Shan, with the Zhuxian Cave on top. A man surnamed Xi Gan from Xiqian Factory, who worked in the tea business, occasionally went to the cave and found a tree that resembled tea but had an…

When I shout with all my might, It echoes throughout the mountains, And it is you who awakens, In the world of grasses and trees. —From "Grasses and Trees Amongst Us" As spring deepens, tea regions are bustling with activity. The release of "Grasses and Trees Amongst Us" during the tea season seems to have received mixed reviews. However, for tea enthusiasts, there are many commendable aspects. This film, set against the backdrop of Hangzhou's Longjing tea landscape, is filled with tea elements in its plot and details. Tea lovers would have noticed this. Moreover, the names of characters, scenes, and the storyline are all poetic. Behind the poetic tea ambiance lies a harsh and cruel social reality—the terrifying pyramid scheme scams and countless family tragedies! Every Tea Element is an "Inside Joke" It cannot be denied that director Gu Xiaogang understands tea, or at least has done his homework thoroughly. Each tea element in the film is an "inside joke." 01 Grasses and Trees Amongst Us: The character for "tea" split apart means "person among grasses and trees" The title "Grasses and Trees Amongst Us" itself refers to tea. "Tea is a fine tree from the south." "The character…

## Abstract: China's Douyun Maojian tea is a high-quality green tea from Douyun City, Guizhou Province, with a widespread origin story. This article analyzes the historical background, cultural connotations, production techniques, taste characteristics, value and benefits, and market development of Douyun Maojian tea to illustrate its history, culture, and modern value. Please bear with any limitations or errors (personal views; April 2024). **Keywords:** China; Tea culture; Douyun Maojian; Historical and cultural aspects; Modern value  *Image source: Network* ### I. Historical Background of Douyun Maojian Tea #### 1.1 Origin and Legends China's Douyun Maojian tea is a high-quality green tea from Douyun City, Guizhou Province, with widely circulated origins and legends. It is said that the legend of Douyun Maojian tea can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. According to legend, there was a master of tea studies named Lu Yu who discovered a type of tea tree in the Douyun area during his travels in Guizhou. This tea tree grew at higher altitudes, with thick, tender buds that were fine, uniform, and covered in prominent downy hairs. Lu Yu praised this tea highly, considering it of excellent quality. He made tea from these leaves, finding the taste exceptional.…

Metal utensils are among the oldest in China, made from materials such as gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin. Before Qin Shi Huang unified China, bronze vessels were already widely used, both for alcohol and for holding tea or water. As tea became a beverage, tea ware gradually separated from other types of utensils. Around the Northern and Southern Dynasties, China saw the emergence of silver and gold tea ware. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the production of silver and gold utensils reached its peak. From the Song Dynasty onwards, opinions on metal tea ware were mixed. After the Yuan Dynasty, especially starting from the Ming Dynasty, with innovations in tea varieties, changes in tea-drinking methods, and the rise of ceramic tea ware, metal tea ware, including those made of silver, gradually disappeared. Particularly, tea ware made of tin, iron, and lead was believed to alter the taste of tea, leading to their rare usage. Silver and gold tea ware can be classified by material: those made of silver are called silver tea ware, while those made of gold are called gold tea ware. Silverware decorated with gold foil or gilded is referred to as gilded tea ware. Due…

The Qing Dynasty saw the emergence of black tea, oolong tea, white tea, dark tea, and yellow tea in addition to green tea, forming the six major categories of tea. Regardless of the type of tea, the brewing method from the Ming Dynasty of directly infusing tea leaves was still used. Under these circumstances, the types and forms of tea wares in the Qing Dynasty did not significantly deviate from the standards set during the Ming Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, teacups and teapots were typically made of clay or porcelain, with the Kangxi and Qianlong periods being particularly prosperous times for their production, especially those known as “Jingdezhen porcelain and Yixing clay.” Premium porcelain tea wares of the Qing Dynasty were mostly produced in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, while production in Dehua, Fujian; Liling, Hunan; Tangshan, Hebei; Zibo, Shandong; and Yaozhou, Shaanxi also thrived but did not match Jingdezhen in terms of quality and quantity. During this period, in addition to continuing the production of blue-and-white porcelain and polychrome porcelain tea wares, new types such as pink-ground enamel and cloisonné enamel tea wares were created. Yixing purple clay tea wares of the Qing Dynasty developed further while preserving traditional techniques. During…

During the Qing Dynasty, the local society of the Six Great Tea Mountains was a mix of officials, merchants, indigenous people, and others, all dependent on the tea mountains for their livelihood. These diverse groups were like individual notes that together composed the symphony of Pu'er tea's destiny. Old Yibang Street After the establishment of the Pu'er Prefecture through the replacement of native administration with imperial rule, the barriers between the Six Great Tea Mountains and the outside world were broken down, and an influx of merchants from outside entered the tea mountains. There were conflicts and mutual benefits between these newcomers and the local inhabitants, and over time they gradually blended together, painting a colorful picture of life in the tea mountains. The Qing government formally appointed local officials such as Wu Zhaohu of Yiwu, Cao Dangzai of Yibang, Ba Longfu and La Zha Bian of Bulang. The indigenous people living in the Six Great Tea Mountains at the time were primarily the Woni and Puman tribes, and there were also some local chieftains active between the native officials and the indigenous people. The leaders of the incoming merchants were called presidents, heads, chiefs, or leaders, serving to bridge…

01. Tea Cake The tea cake is a common form of Pu'er tea, usually weighing 357 grams, commonly known as the Seven Sons Cake. 02. Tuo Tea It looks like a round bread from above and a thick-walled bowl from below, with a concave center, which is quite distinctive. Each weighs about 100 grams to 250 grams, varying in size. This shape was also made for ease of long-distance transportation and long-term storage in ancient times. 03. Brick Tea Brick tea, also known as steam-pressed tea, is one of the more representative types of compressed teas. Pu'er brick tea was once offered as tribute during the Qing Dynasty and remains a popular category of Pu'er tea. 04. Square Tea Pu'er square tea is produced by Kunming Tea Factory, using Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea of grades one and two as raw materials. The selection process is strict, ensuring a high degree of tenderness. It is finely screened, then steamed and pressed into a square block, measuring 10.1 cm on each side. Each piece weighs 250 grams and is considered a premium product among compressed teas. 05. Mini Tuo Tea Mini tuo is a type of tuo tea shaped like a…

Pu'er tea has a shelf life of 10 to 20 years. Made from unique large-leaf varieties, Pu'er tea is categorized into raw and ripe types based on its processing method. Its thick and robust leaves are rich in flavor and have the potential for aging, hence there isn't a fixed expiration date. It is generally believed that Pu'er tea can be stored for 15 to 20 years. According to the national standard GBT22111-2008, under proper storage conditions, Pu'er tea can be preserved for an extended period. How does the national standard define the shelf life of Pu'er tea?From the definition of Pu'er tea itself: Pu'er tea is made from sun-dried tea leaves produced in specific regions of Yunnan, which undergo post-fermentation and can be processed as loose or compressed tea. Therefore, the national standard provides a guideline for the shelf life, stating that under the conditions specified in GBT22111-2008, Pu'er tea can be stored long-term. However, long-term storage ≠ permanent storageIn 1963, during the disposal of Qing dynasty tribute teas at the Forbidden City in Beijing, over two tons of aged teas were discovered, including some Pu'er teas. In Wang Yufeng's article "Pu'er Tea and the Qing Dynasty," he mentioned:…

In recent years, more and more people have heard of Liubao tea, come to understand it, and started drinking or even collecting it. This is certainly related to the unique qualities of Liubao tea – its red, rich, aged, and mellow flavor, as well as its distinctive aroma and taste. It is also closely tied to Liubao tea's ability to improve over time. However, we cannot overlook the health benefits of Liubao tea. Many consumers feel refreshed after drinking Liubao tea. Some find themselves more energetic during the day, others find their digestion improved, and some even notice significant changes in their health check-up reports. The unique and remarkable health benefits of Liubao tea have made it a favorite among many people. As Liubao tea belongs to the category of dark teas, when discussing its health benefits, we often refer to the experiences with other dark teas or Pu'er ripe tea. Yet, what we fail to realize is that Liubao tea's unique processing techniques give it distinct health benefits not found in any other type of tea. Throughout history, there have been records of the health benefits of Liubao tea at different stages. Originating from Wuzhou, Guangxi, Liubao tea was…

After the mid-Qing dynasty, Wuzhou became an important commercial port along the Xijiang waterway. Part of the Liubao tea was transported upstream from Jiangkou and Doucheng docks in Guangdong, converging in Wuzhou before being sent to major ports in the Pearl River Delta region, forming a new form of transportation and trade for Liubao tea. In the Liubao tea culture exhibition hall of the Wuzhou Tea Factory, there is a cultural wall reflecting the development journey of the Liubao tea industry, displaying many old photos of the factory in its early days. Recently, Mr. Liu Fusheng revisited the Wuzhou Tea Factory and specifically came to this cultural wall, gently touching one of the photos displayed on it. In this photo, workers at the tea factory are pushing Liubao tea packed in large bamboo baskets to the triangular mouth dock next to the factory using wooden carts. He gazed for a long time before speaking: “After the Liubao tea produced by the Wuzhou Tea Factory was transported to the dock, it would be loaded onto cargo ships waiting there, which then carried it batch by batch down the Xijiang to Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, and even further abroad…” Selling Tea at…

The Ming Dynasty was a period of innovation in tea processing and the creation of loose leaf teas, setting new trends for tea drinking. In the 24th year of Hongwu reign under Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1391), the production of compressed tea bricks was abolished, promoting the development of loose leaf teas. Many famous teas emerged as the method of brewing changed from whisking to steeping. The process of tea preparation became simpler, and fewer tea wares were needed. 1. Simplification and Reduction of Tea Wares The older tea cakes of the Tang Dynasty required the "boiled tea method." The finely processed dragon and phoenix compressed teas of the Song Dynasty necessitated the "whisked tea method." Both the "boiled tea method" and the "whisked tea method" involved complex procedures and a multitude of tea wares. The brewing of loose leaf teas in the Ming Dynasty was much simpler: a small amount of tea would be placed in a cup (or pot), and hot water poured over it, ready to drink. This method was also known as the "pinch tea method" during the Song Dynasty. At this point, only a kettle for boiling water and a cup (or pot) for brewing were…

Scented tea originated in the Song Dynasty, began to be produced in the Ming Dynasty and was perfected in the Qing Dynasty. In the late Qing Dynasty, Zhang Changyi established Zhang Yiyuan Tea Shop, which has been passed down through generations, specializing in the production and sale of jasmine tea. During the Republican era, Zhang Yiyuan jasmine tea became well-known throughout Beijing. Regulars at bathhouses and theaters almost always requested Zhang Yiyuan tea by name, and Peking Opera masters such as Qiu Shengrong, Ma Lianliang, Tan Fuying, and others were all regular customers of Zhang Yiyuan. Zhang Yiyuan jasmine tea is made using spring tea from Fujian oolong green tea as the base tea, which is scented multiple times with jasmine flowers. Zhang Yiyuan Teahouse bustling with customers Production Techniques 1. Raw Material Inspection (Tea Base and Flowers Inspection): Strictly inspect the tea base, and select jasmine flowers that are full-bodied, evenly sized, and have a lustrous white color. 2. Tea Base Processing: Process different grades of tea into piles for refined production, requiring the tea base moisture content to reach 8%, with an appearance that is clean, uniform, and free of foreign objects. 3. Flower Processing: The jasmine flowers…

Along with the rise and fall of Liubao tea industry, the ancient tea ship route has gone through phases of formation, prosperity, dormancy, revival, and decline, leaving a splendid chapter in China's tea transportation history. The ancient route is vast and time has passed slowly. The development of the Liubao tea industry has undergone changes over several hundred years, and the tea ship route has also gone through a long journey from its formation to prosperity, dormancy, revival, and decline. Today, the Liubao tea industry is experiencing a comprehensive revival, but the ancient tea ship route mostly remains as traces of the past. However, there is no doubt that in the course of history, this ancient route, which coexisted with Liubao tea, has written a unique and splendid chapter in China's tea transportation history. The name "Tea Pavilion" can be seen on a map of Cangwu from the 32nd year of the Kangxi era (1693) of the Qing dynasty. 1. The "Annals of Cangwu County" compiled during the Tongzhi era of the Qing dynasty contains records about Liubao tea. 2. On the attached map of Cangwu County in the "Annals of Cangwu County" compiled during the Tongzhi era of the…

After the Laba Festival, the New Year atmosphere gradually thickens. At this time, tea shops in the capital also enter their peak season. Long queues for purchasing tea reappear in front of many old-established tea houses. Why do ordinary people concentrate on buying tea at the end of the year? On the one hand, it is to keep it for entertaining distinguished relatives and friends who come to celebrate the New Year; on the other hand, it is to prepare it as a gift when visiting during the New Year. However, when giving tea as a gift, we not only need to consider quality but also packaging issues. For a long time, we have had a misunderstanding that plain-packaged tea is fine for personal consumption, but if it’s a gift, it seems a bit lacking. To cater to such consumer psychology, the tea packaging available on the market can be said to be dazzling and varied. Taking the material of tea caddies as an example, metal ones are common, and hardwood ones are not uncommon. Some, to highlight their grade, wrap real leather around the outside of the tea caddy, and some even inlay them with jade. Frankly speaking, the…

On August 16, 2024, the "Tea and the World" Global Promotion Launch Ceremony for Chinese Tea was held at the Beijing Friendship Hotel, under the guidance of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the China International Publishing Group, and hosted by the Cultural Exchange Center of the China International Publishing Group. The event, themed "Inheriting, Promoting, and Benefitting the World through Tea Culture Exchange and Mutual Learning," announced the 2024 Forbes China Tea Industry Series Selections. "Wuzhou Liubao Tea" successfully made it into the annual regional public brand selection for the 2024 Forbes China Tea Industry Series. Mr. Zhong Weijun, Deputy Director of the Wuzhou City Tea Industry Development Bureau, attended the event and received the certificate. Wuzhou Liubao Tea is renowned for its distinctive characteristics of "redness, thickness, agedness, and richness," along with its unique betel nut fragrance. It has been one of China's twenty-four famous teas since the Qing Dynasty, with a long history and outstanding quality, becoming an important historical symbol and calling card for Wuzhou City, Guangxi. In recent years, Wuzhou City has used the "Wuzhou Liubao Tea" regional public brand and the "Ancient Tea-Ship Route" cultural brand as dual engines to…

The Glorious Journey of "A Tree" Green Big Tree 99 From the comprehensive cancellation of the unified purchase and sales policy in 1993, to the full implementation of the Pu'er tea national standard in 2008, during these 15 years, the Pu'er tea market entered a new era of diverse voices and perspectives. The dominant position of "China Tea" had changed with the times, and new theories were constantly being proposed. Amidst the transition between old and new systems, there might have been some dark chaos, but it was during this "darkness before dawn" that custom-made teas sparked a prairie fire, ultimately igniting a new era for Pu'er tea. Like the protagonist of today's story, "Green Big Tree", after it, custom-made teas ushered Pu'er tea into a world of diverse blooms, especially from the late 1990s to 2004, it was practically the domain of factory custom-made teas. Peacock, White Vegetable, Red Ribbon series, Yiwu Zhengshan Collection, Green Big Tree, 7262, and more, too numerous to list, after washing away the leaden hues of time and standing the test of the market, these products commanded high prices, with prices easily reaching several thousand yuan per cake, or tens of thousands, even hundreds…

Liubao tea, named after Liubao Town in Cangwu County, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is unique as a low-temperature fermented tea stored in bamboo baskets, cellars, caves, or wooden dry warehouses (other dark teas are typically border trade teas). Its distinctive taste has garnered many fans.Historically, there was not only the Tea Horse Road but also a Tea Ship Ancient Route, which started right here in Liubao, Guangxi. The people of Wuzhou used inland waterways to transport goods such as tea and porcelain to all corners of the world, establishing extensive trade relations with the outside world, forming a profound historical legacy known as the “Ancient Tea Ship Route.” The route began in Dabao, Guangxi, followed the Liubao River, proceeded along the Dong'an River, passed through the Hejiang River, entered the Xijiang River, and reached Guangzhou, connecting to the maritime Silk Road for tea shipments. This route was unique in linking Guangxi, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and directly reaching Southeast Asia. Through this ancient tea ship route, Liubao tea emerged from the mountains, crossed oceans, and became one of the key commodities on the maritime Silk Road. The history of tea production and processing in Liubao can be traced back…