## 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. Thus, he named the tea leaves “Maojian,” and taught the locals the tea-making technique, thus initiating the history of Douyun Maojian tea.
Douyun Maojian tea is renowned for its fresh fragrance, delicious flavor, and tender green infusion, making it one of the treasures among Chinese green teas. Although the legends cannot be entirely verified, Douyun Maojian tea has gained a strong reputation locally and gradually expanded to national and international markets.
#### 1.2 Historical Development
China's Douyun Maojian tea is a high-quality green tea produced in Douyun City, Guizhou Province. The following outlines the historical development of Douyun Maojian tea:
1. **Origination Stage**: The history of Douyun Maojian tea can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty, originating in Douyun City and surrounding areas in Guizhou Province. At that time, tea cultivation and tea-making techniques in the Douyun region began to develop.
2. **Early Development**: During the Qing Dynasty, Douyun Maojian tea gradually emerged as a well-known tea in Guizhou Province. In the Qing Dynasty, Douyun Maojian tea became increasingly favored due to its unique quality and taste.
3. **Modern Development**: With the development of the modern tea industry, the production technology of Douyun Maojian tea has continuously improved. Tea farmers have utilized modern planting and processing technologies, enhancing the quality and yield of the tea, giving Douyun Maojian tea a certain competitive edge in domestic and international markets.
4. **Rising Popularity**: As Chinese tea culture spreads and promotes, Douyun Maojian tea has become more widely known among tea enthusiasts. Its unique aroma and taste make it a highly sought-after high-quality green tea in the tea market.
In summary, Douyun Maojian tea has formed its own unique development path and brand characteristics through several stages of development, becoming a shining gem among Chinese teas.
#### 1.3 Ancient Literature Records
China's Douyun Maojian tea is a very famous Chinese tea with a long history, mentioned in many ancient texts. In ancient literature, Douyun Maojian tea may be referred to as “Douyun tea.” In the Ming Dynasty's *Tea Classic*, the tea from the Douyun area in Guizhou is mentioned, considered one of the origins of Maojian tea.
Additionally, the *Guiyang Fu Zhi* from the Qing Dynasty records tea production in the Guizhou region, including tea cultivation and production techniques in areas around Douyun. These documents provide clues about the production and historical context of Douyun Maojian tea in ancient times.
Douyun Maojian tea is renowned for its tender buds with fine downy hairs and its fresh, fragrant character, making it one of the treasures among Chinese teas. In Chinese tea culture, Douyun Maojian tea holds a special status and value, widely admired and loved.
### II. Cultural Connotations of Douyun Maojian Tea
#### 2.1 Local Manifestations of Tea Culture
China's Douyun Maojian tea, a high-quality green tea from Douyun City, Guizhou Province, is one of the “Top Ten Famous Teas of China.” The tea culture is deeply rooted in the local community, as detailed below:
1. **Historical Background**: Maojian tea originated during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, over 300 years ago. Through generations, the locals have passed on and developed their unique tea-making techniques.
2. **Growing Environment**: Douyun is located in southern Guizhou, with a humid climate and fertile Soil, ideal for tea tree growth. This unique geographical environment provides ideal conditions for the growth of Maojian tea.
3. **Production Techniques**: Maojian tea is made from tender buds through complex processes, including picking, withering, pan-firing, rolling, and drying. The local tea farmers have passed down these tea-making techniques through generations, ensuring the quality of Maojian tea.
4. **Tea Culture**: In Douyun, people have deep feelings for Maojian tea, which permeates daily life. Whether at family gatherings, social events, or business negotiations, tea tasting is an essential part.
5. **Tasting Customs**: Locals have unique ways of appreciating Maojian tea, emphasizing the process of “smelling, observing, evaluating, brewing, and drinking.” When tasting tea, attention is paid to the clarity of the infusion, the richness of the aroma, and the strength of the flavor.
6. **Tea Art Performances**: On important occasions, local tea artists perform tea ceremonies, demonstrating tea art skills and explaining the essence of tea culture, allowing more people to understand and appreciate Maojian tea.
In summary, Douyun Maojian tea is not just a beverage but also a symbol of the local people's love for life and pursuit of tradition, reflecting their appreciation and inheritance of traditional culture.
#### 2.2 Folk Customs and Traditions of Douyun Maojian
China's Douyun Maojian tea is a high-quality green tea from Douyun City, Guizhou Province, known for its unique fragrance and taste. Folk customs and traditions typically refer to unique cultural traditions and folk practices, which are reflected in local tea culture. Here are some examples of the folk customs and traditions of Douyun Maojian tea:
1. **Inheritance of Tea Culture**: In China, tea culture is deep-rooted, and the production and consumption methods of tea vary uniquely across regions. Douyun Maojian tea, as a local specialty, embodies the locals' love and dedication to tea culture, reflecting the preservation and inheritance of tradition.
2. **Tea Garden Scenery**: Tea gardens are where tea grows and are important carriers of tea culture. In the Douyun region, tea gardens are often surrounded by mountains, with lush green tea plants scattered throughout, providing a visually pleasing experience. The scenery of local tea gardens is often celebrated in poetry and song, an integral part of folk customs and traditions.
3. **Tea Art Performances**: Chinese tea art is a refined skill, and tea art performances are often used to showcase regional culture and specialty teas. In the Douyun region, tea art performances may be held to demonstrate the uniqueness of Maojian tea, allowing audiences to experience the charm of tea culture.
4. **Tea Production Techniques**: The production techniques of Douyun Maojian tea have been passed down and developed over hundreds of years, embodying the locals' love for tea and their pursuit of excellence in craftsmanship. These techniques are not only a technical inheritance but also a cultural inheritance, encapsulating the essence of folk customs and traditions.
5. **Tea Festivals and Celebrations**: In China, many places hold tea festivals and celebrations to showcase the charm of local tea culture. The Douyun region may host similar events to attract tourists and tea enthusiasts to experience local tea culture, spreading folk customs and traditions.
In summary, the folk customs and traditions of China's Douyun Maojian tea are manifested in the inheritance of tea culture, tea garden scenery, tea art performances, tea production techniques, and tea festivals and celebrations, showcasing the unique charm of the local specialty tea.
### III. Production Techniques of Douyun Maojian Tea
#### 3.1 Harvesting and Initial Processing
China's Douyun Maojian tea is primarily produced in Douyun City, Guizhou Province, and is one of the specialties of the province. The harvesting and initial processing of Maojian tea are crucial, and the general process is outlined below:
1. **Harvesting**: Maojian tea is usually harvested early in the morning when the leaves contain less moisture and are at their freshest. Harvesting typically involves selecting tender shoots, usually done manually, picking the youngest bud and leaf or bud and two leaves.
2. **Withering**: After harvest, the leaves undergo withering to allow the gradual evaporation of water, softening the leaves for rolling. This process activates enzymes in the leaves, beneficial for subsequent fermentation.
3. **Rolling**: Next comes rolling, which breaks the cell structure