Basic Introduction to Datian Highland Tea
Datian Highland Tea is produced in Datian County, Fujian Province, known as the “Home of Chinese Highland Tea.” Located in central Fujian, Datian County slopes from south to northeast, with 175 peaks over 1,000 meters in elevation; its soils are mostly red and yellow, with organic matter content ranging from 1-2.5%; it has a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, with an annual effective accumulated temperature above 10°C of around 5,000 degrees, and annual rainfall of 1,400-1,800 millimeters. These conditions provide a unique natural advantage for growing high-quality Oolong Tea and Highland Black Tea. It is recognized as one of China's top 100 tea-producing counties, a research base for new tea development in Fujian Province, and within the protected geographical indication area for Fujian Oolong tea.
Nutritional Value
1. Stimulating Effect: The caffeine in tea can stimulate the central nervous system, helping to invigorate the mind, improve thinking, relieve fatigue, and increase work efficiency.
2. Diuretic Effect: The caffeine and theophylline in tea have diuretic effects, used for treating edema and water retention tumors. The detoxifying and diuretic effects of sugar-sweetened black tea can treat acute jaundice hepatitis.
3. Cardiotonic and Spasmolytic Effects: Caffeine has cardiotonic, spasmolytic, and muscle-relaxing properties, capable of relieving bronchial spasms, promoting circulation, and serving as an auxiliary treatment for bronchial asthma, cough suppression, and myocardial infarction.
4. Inhibiting Atherosclerosis: Both tea polyphenols and vitamin C in tea have blood-vivifying and thrombolysis effects that prevent arteriosclerosis. People who frequently drink tea tend to have lower incidences of hypertension and coronary heart disease.
History and Folklore
Datian County has a history of more than 200 years of tea cultivation. According to the “Dictionary,” Datian is renowned for producing Wuling Green Tea. By the end of 2005, the county had 40,000 mu (approximately 2,666 hectares) of tea gardens, with main cultivars including Tieguanyin, Jinxuan, Mingke No.1, Huangdan, Maoxie, Fuyun No.6, and Fuyun 595. Green teas come in needle-shaped, flat-shaped, and curly-shaped varieties; Oolong teas include Tieguanyin, Jin Guanyin, Jinxuan, and ginseng Oolong. There are currently over 180 processing enterprises, producing 2,947 tons annually, with 26 scale enterprises having over 100 mu (approximately 66.7 hectares) of production bases and annual processing capacities of over 40 tons. In 2004, the “Xian Ding” brand was registered with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and in February 2005, “Xian Ding” brand tea was certified as pollution-free agricultural product by the National Center for Agricultural Product Quality and Safety under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Awards and Honors
“Clouds in the sky, pure land on earth, a fairyland for people, harmony in tea tasting.” Datian County's tea products have won four provincial famous tea awards, nearly 20 provincial quality tea awards, and over 50 municipal-level awards for outstanding teas. “Jasmine Scented Tea,” “Taiwan-style Oolong Tea,” and “Oriental Beauty” have also received international gold awards from the Korean Tea Association, the China Star-rated Tea King Competition, and the International Tea Expo and Trade Fair.
Tasting Methods for Datian Highland Tea
1. Rinse the tea ware with boiling water before brewing, and continue to rinse throughout the process to maintain heat.
2. Distribute the tea into the pot, placing the finer particles at the bottom covered with coarser strips, and smaller leaves on top to avoid clogging the spout.
3. Pour water in a circular motion to avoid breaking the “heart” of the tea. The water should make the tea leaves tumble.
4. When the water covers the tea leaves, immediately pour it out, which is called “washing the tea.”
5. For the second infusion, fill the pot to about 90%, cover it, and pour boiling water over the outside of the pot. At this point, the water in the tea tray should rise to the middle of the pot, referred to as “attacking from both inside and outside.” After about 1-2 minutes, the exquisite true flavor of the highland tea will be fully infused.