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You Natively Born, Self-Directed Toward the Distance — A Series on the Journey of Jingmai Mountain’s Bid for World Heritage Status ③
You are natively born to the mountain and self-directed toward the distance.On September 17, 2023, the ancient tea forest cultural landscape of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er successfully gained World Heritage status. With this achievement, the world now knows its splendor, marking a new chapter in time. From here, you journey from China to the world, becoming the world's Jingmai Mountain. "We are grateful to nature and thankful for everything our ancestors have left us. The ancestor Paaileng left us tea, which has sustained generations upon generations. We must protect every plant, every tree, and every brick and tile on Jingmai Mountain for generations to come." Upon hearing that the ancient tea forest cultural landscape of Pu'er's Jingmai Mountain had successfully been listed as a World Heritage site, Zhou Tianhua, a resident of Mangjing Village, expressed his thoughts with deep emotion. The ancient tea forest cultural landscape of Pu'er's Jingmai Mountain consists of five ancient tea forests, nine ancient villages, and three buffer protection forests. The harmonious relationship between humans and nature embedded within it allows forests to be utilized, tea forests protected, and villages to endure. This highlights the wisdom of our ancestors in following nature and preserving the ancient…- 0
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Seeking Tea in Changning: The Secret Paradise Mountain, a Haven for Wild Tea
Paradise Mountain stands as a divine presence in the hearts of the people of Changning. Mr. Ou Zhide, a writer from Yunnan Province, once wrote: “‘Paradise’ is the pursuit of an idyllic place, a paradise that people yearn for on earth. Astonishingly, there is a Paradise Mountain in Changning, and its name wasn’t given by contemporary people to attract tourism benefits; it has been passed down from our ancestors. Paradise has had the beauty of a fairyland since ancient times…” Paradise Mountain, with its picturesque landscapes of mountains, water, rocks, and forests, high-altitude wetlands nestled among peaks, natural scenery created by rock springs and tree vines, and flowers dancing amidst the forest, resembles a paradise on earth. It is a “natural gene bank for flora and fauna,” where many species are rare in China or even worldwide. Just like the Paradise Big-Head Tea, Red Flower Oil Tea, Water Fir, Red Cypress, Rhododendrons, Magnolias, and Long-Stamen Magnolias, the wild tea trees bestowed by nature have found their “haven” here, coexisting and thriving with other flora and fauna as integral parts of a complete ecosystem. Located to the north of Changning County, Paradise Mountain is part of the southern range of the…- 0
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Pu’er Famous Mountain: The Manzuan Tea Mountain
Manzuan (Manzhuang), in Dai language, means “large village,” located in the south of Xiangming Township, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. It borders the Yiwu tea area to the east. The main areas for ancient tree tea production on the Manzuan Tea Mountain are Manzuan and Manlin (Manlin). Manlin is the village with the most tea gardens on Manzuan Tea Mountain, while Manzhuang is the largest village and the one with the largest population. Manlin sits atop Manzuan Tea Mountain at an altitude of 1,700 meters, with beautiful scenery and clouds shrouding it throughout the year. Standing on the mountain top and looking far into the distance, all you see is a sea of clouds, as if you were in a fairyland. The ecological environment of Manzuan Tea Mountain is excellent, with high altitude, low temperatures, abundant sunlight, large diurnal temperature differences, no severe cold in winter, and no scorching heat in summer. Most of the ancient tea trees grow in dense forests. The unique natural environment has shaped the quality of Manzuan tea leaves. The dry tea has dark, shiny, thick, and long strands, with floral and honey aromas interweaving, which are intense and lasting. The…- 0
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Wuxi, Chongqing: Ancient Eagle Tea Trees in Bloom
Leopard-skin-like tree trunks, arm-thick branches, and scattered blossoms among the tea leaves... Recently, on several ancient eagle tea trees in Wuxi, Chongqing, tea flowers have bloomed, clear and delicate.It is said that the eagle tea comes from the evergreen tree Alseodaphne semicarpifolia of the Lauraceae family, with very hard seed shells. According to legend, the seeds need to be swallowed by eagles, and after the shell is softened by stomach acid and excreted, they can germinate, hence the name "eagle tea." In Wuxi, there are more than 50,000 mu (about 3,333 hectares) of eagle tea planted, including ten eagle tea trees that are a thousand years old and 2,500 eagle tea trees over a hundred years old. Image of an ancient eagle tea tree. Photo by Wang Qiang, courtesy of Xinhua News Agency. Image of tourists admiring the ancient tree. Photo by Wang Qiang, courtesy of Xinhua News Agency. Image of tea flowers on the tree. Photo by Wang Qiang, courtesy of Xinhua News Agency. Image of an ancient eagle tea tree. Photo by Wang Qiang, courtesy of Xinhua News Agency. Image of tourists admiring the tea flowers. Photo by Wang Qiang, courtesy of Xinhua News Agency. Image of tea…- 0
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Hardcore Notes: Nine Questions to Help You Understand the Picking and Processing of High-Quality Green Tea
It's now the season for spring tea, and tea gardens across the country are starting their picking activities. Compared to bulk teas, high-quality green teas have specific requirements when it comes to picking and processing techniques, which tend to be more technologically demanding. In order to produce high-quality green teas, and help tea farmers increase their income, we have compiled some key points about the picking and processing of high-quality green teas, for your reference. Is there a particular method for picking fresh leaves of different tenderness levels? When picking fresh leaves, there are three categories: single buds, one bud with one leaf, and one bud with two leaves. For evaluating the quality of high-quality green teas, small-leaf varieties should be picked at the initial stage of one bud with one leaf; however, from the perspective of product characteristics and consumer habits, there are also some teas made from single buds. Is it appropriate to "let grow large, pick small?" "Let grow large, pick small" refers to picking one bud with one leaf after the tea bud has grown to one bud with two or three leaves. The green tea produced in this way generally has a bluish-green color, a…- 0
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Albino Tea Garden Cultivation and Soil Management Techniques
The main goal is to improve the soil condition, increase nutrient availability, and create favorable conditions for tea plant growth, with tasks including soil cultivation, weeding, fertilization, and moisture retention. I. Garden Cultivation Reasonable cultivation is an important measure to improve the soil condition in tea gardens, which can enhance the micro-ecological environment of the soil and provide good conditions for the growth and development of tea plants, improving their vigor. 1. Shallow Cultivation and Weeding The purpose of shallow cultivation in tea gardens is to remove weeds, loosen the surface soil, and improve the micro-ecological environment of the surface soil layer. The depth of shallow cultivation is generally around 5 cm, and it can be combined with top-dressing and soil mounding. It's also essential to clear weeds and brambles around the tea garden promptly. For young tea gardens that are not yet closed row, cultivation should be done whenever weeds appear, requiring six to seven weedings per year. Since the root system of young tea gardens does not penetrate deeply in the planting year, shallow cultivation before the high-temperature season should be done early to avoid drought immediately after cultivation. For mature tea gardens, cultivation is divided into spring,… -
Guocha Tea Experts Provide Guidance on the Renovation and Improvement of Low-Yielding and Inefficient Tea Gardens in Hong’an
On February 7th, tea experts from Guocha Institute specializing in breeding, processing, cultivation, and plant protection jointly provided technical guidance on the renovation and improvement of low-yielding and inefficient tea gardens in Hong'an. At the Hubei Yude Tea Co., Ltd. base in Dabie Mountain area, the experts addressed a series of issues including tea tree aging, lax management of tea gardens, and poor adaptability of varieties. They proposed new standardized techniques for establishing tea gardens quickly using new tea tree varieties, providing on-site guidance in the tea gardens that are about to be renovated. The aim is to increase tea seedling survival rates and shorten the period it takes for the gardens to become productive. Additionally, considering the overwintering conditions of major pests and diseases in old tea gardens, they suggested measures to prevent major pest and disease outbreaks and provided guidance on integrated pest management. Text and Images: Tan Rongrong -
Mangshui Changning: The Spring Tea Flourishes with the Waters of the Lancang, the Ancient Trees of the Origin are All Good
Easter time, the last hint of chill in the spring breeze quietly disappears. Changning, located upstream in the high-quality tea region of the Lancang River basin, is painted with the most beautiful scenery by the verdant spring tea leaves. The old tea trees, known as the “origin tea” of Changning, attract the attention of tea lovers with their fresh greenery. The spring tea, rich in nutrients and thick in leaf flesh, has a high content of aromatic substances and vitamins, making it favored for its fresh and refreshing taste, intense aroma, and smooth mouthfeel. The "origin tea" of Changning, different from both wild-grown tea and modern artificially selected cultivated tea, is particularly favored by many. Mangshui Laochang, one of the villages along the Lancang River, is not very well-known either in Changning or on the "map" of Yunnan's tea regions, yet it hides many ancient tea trees within its depths. Regardless of whether others know about them, these ancient tea trees always sprout new green leaves every spring, bestowing the essence of nature upon humanity. On the large tea tree known as the "Laochang Tea King" in Zhujia Village, over a dozen tea pickers are climbing the tree, picking tea… -
A Unique Flavor from Mt. Linchang: The Xigui Tea, Aroma and Sweet Aftertaste in Every Sip
Bathed in spring breezes, the heart is filled with the fragrance of tea. In a perfect balance of temperature and vegetation, Linchang emerges as a prime tea-producing region along the golden latitude. Benefiting from the nourishment of nature's waters, sunlight, and moonlight, the teas of Linchang retain their primal vitality through the test of time. Today, our editor takes you on a journey to the Linchang District, to "taste" one of Linchang's finest teas—the Xigui tea. In the tea industry, there is a saying: "High mountains and mist produce fine teas." In Linchang, there is a place at a lower altitude that still produces excellent tea, and this place is Xigui in the Linchang District. The cultivation and processing of tea in Xigui have a long history. The late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era "Mianning County Annals" recorded: "There are about 6,000 to 7,000 households growing tea throughout the county, with Manglu and Xigu in Bangdong Township being particularly renowned. The quality and flavor of Manglu tea surpass those of other tea-producing areas." Today, Manglu is known as Manglu, and Xigu is known as Xigui. Xigui is a small village of 138 households, located in the administrative area of… -
Hubei Tea: Baokang Songzhen (Pine Needle)
Origin Baokang Songzhen is a type of linear green tea, produced in the Baonan Dianya Town and the Babei Huangbao area in Baokang County, Xiangyang. Historical Background There are records dating back to the Tang Dynasty, and it had gained a reputation during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty, Peiji's "Tea Narration" listed ten tribute teas, with Baokang being one of them. The "Xiangyang Local Customs Record" by Fan Zhiming of the Northern Song Dynasty states: "In the mountains of Baokang, tea used to be produced, known as Baokang Pine Needle tea, which was highly valued by the people of Tang. It has been mentioned in literature. Nowadays, people do not plant it much. There are only about a thousand plants in Dianya and Xiema, and the soil there is quite similar to that of this garden. The tea produced here amounts to no more than one or two dozen liang per year, and the locals call it Winter Jasmine tea, which is extremely sweet and fragrant, incomparable to grassy teas from other places. The characteristics of the tea gardens are also similar, but the locals do not cultivate it much." In the Ming Dynasty,… -
Rhinoceros Pond: Which Mountain Does It Belong To?
Rhinoceros Pond Pu'er tea is located in the Gelang River Township of Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. It sits on a branch of the Nan Mountain range, at the highest point in Gelanghe Township. Within the ancient tea region of the entire Menghai tea mountain, Rhinoceros Pond's ancient tree tea is situated in the core area of Pasha, making Rhinoceros Pond the king of mountains within the Pasha ancient tea mountain. To Which Tea Region Does Rhinoceros Pond Belong? Within the ancient tea region of the entire Menghai tea mountain, Rhinoceros Pond is located in the core area of Pasha and can be considered the king of mountains within the Pasha ancient tea mountain. The name "Rhinoceros Pond" originates from a similar legend as Phoenix Nest; it is said to have been named after rhinos once inhabited the area. The average altitude of Rhinocerus Pond is above 1,700 meters, with clouds shrouding the area throughout the year, abundant rainfall, lush vegetation, fertile soil, and a unique environment. As a result, the teas produced here are rich in content, bold in flavor, and have a rich and full aroma. Pasha Rhinoceros Pond – an ancient tea garden hidden atop… -
Zhangqitang of Yore, Zhengqitang Today
Among the 16 administrative villages and 103 natural villages in Shuangjiang County's Mengku Town, there are far more than eighteen tea-producing hamlets. Within these eighteen, there are also more than just the five Bingdao hamlets that produce fine teas. Zhengqitang is one such place, unassuming and understated, emerging like a tender bud under the shadow of the famed Bingdao Five Hamlets. A Resting Ground Amidst Clouds and Mist Shuangjiang is located along a branch of the ancient Southern Tea Horse Road (known as "Yifang Land"), where the Northern route of the large-leafed tea from Mengku passed through the tea market in Taiheng Town (today's Boshang Town in Lincang District) to be sold in Kham and Amdo, or through Cangyuan and Gengma for trade with Myanmar. The Southern route had caravans passing through here, using Zhengqitang as a resting ground for their horses. Zhengqitang was formerly called Zhangqitang. According to legend, there was a pond near Tian Sheng Bridge in ancient times, hiding a giant python that would exhale black mist on cloudy days, leading people to suspect the presence of miasma, hence its name. In 1903, Peng Kun, the military and civil official who governed Shuangjiang for about 20 years… -
Main Origin of Pu’er Tea
Pu'er tea mainly originates from areas in Xishuangbanna, Pu'er, Lincang, Baoshan, and other places in Yunnan Province. Pu'er tea is a geographical indication product, and its protected region includes 11 prefectures (cities) and municipalities, 75 counties (cities, districts), and 639 townships (towns, subdistrict offices) across Pu'er City, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Lincang City, Kunming City, Dali Prefecture, Baoshan City, Dehong Prefecture, Chuxiong Prefecture, Honghe Prefecture, Yuxi City, Wenshan Prefecture. Main Origin of Pu'er Tea 1. Xishuangbanna Among these, the production in Menghai County and Yi Wu in Mengla in Xishuangbanna is the most substantial. Menghai County's Mengsong, Nannuoshan, Pasha, He Kai, Bulang Mountain, Old Man'ao, Bada Mountain, and other areas are all important origins of Pu'er tea. Many villages and mountains within these origins have significant reputations. Among them, Bao Tang, Da Manlü, and Naka in Mengsong, Menghai; Banpo Village and Maidong Village in Nannuoshan; Manlong and Bangpeng in He Kai; Old Ban Zhang, New Ban Zhang, Old Man'ao, Manxinglong, and Man Nuo in Bulang Mountain; Zhanglang in Bada Mountain are all well-known in Pu'er tea origins. The Yi Wu tea area, with Goufengzhai, Dingjiazhai, Luoshuidong, Yishanmo, Machhei, Gaoshan Village, and others as representative famous villages, is highly sought after. 2. Pu'er… -
Wandering Through Jingdong’s Time-Honored Ancient Tea Mountains: The Wuliang Mountains
Geographical EnvironmentThe Wuliang Mountains have been renowned ancient tea mountains and important sources of high-quality Pu'er tea in the upper reaches of the Lancang River since ancient times. The Wuliang Mountains, known as Mengle Mountain in ancient times, have an average elevation of 1,800 meters and are named for their towering height that seems to reach the clouds and the vastness that cannot be measured. Located in the west of Jingdong Yi Autonomous County in Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, the Wuliang mountain range extends from north to south, with its main ridge in Nanjian and Jingdong counties, while its offshoots are divided by the Mengtong River at the source of the Donggualin River in Zhenyuan. The eastern branch of the offshoots passes through Zhenyuan, Jinggu, Ning'er, Pu'er, Jiangcheng, and extends all the way to the ancient Six Great Tea Mountains in Xishuangbanna. The western branch is shorter and includes parts of Dazhaodong Town in Jingdong, Zhentai Township and Anban Town on the west bank of the Mengtong River in Zhenyuan, and Jinggu Township, Minle Town, and Bi'an Township in Jinggu. The peak, Mount Bijia, located within Jingdong County, reaches an altitude of 3,374 meters. The Wuliang Mountains are majestic and… -
The History of Tea Planting and Drinking Among the Ethnic Groups in Yongchang
Yongchang has a long history of tea planting, processing, and drinking. This established the historical status of the ancient city of Yongchang as the first to come into contact with and inherit tea culture in Western Yunnan. Moreover, Yongchang has always been a major town on the southwestern ancient Silk Road and the Tea Horse Road, serving as an important stopover between China and Southeast Asian countries and the first major town for Southeast Asian countries entering China. It was bustling with merchants. Naturally, tea, this ordinary commodity, became widespread among common households. At that time, the most famous tea in Yongchang was called "Taihua Tea." Four hundred years ago, the great traveler Xu Xiake recorded in his travelogue one of his happiest and most unforgettable experiences in Yongchang. In early August 1639, when he wanted to cross the Lancang River to Lushi, "the elderly innkeeper surnamed Mei comforted me very well and specially brewed Taihua Tea for me to drink." The tea had a long-lasting aftertaste, clear green color, strong aroma, and refreshing flavor, making one feel carefree and ethereal. Yongchang has unique natural conditions suitable for tea growth, a rich variety of tea resources, and a long history… -
Motuo County, Tibet: Nurturing Tea Tourism—Transforming Tea Mountains into “Gold Mountains”
Situated in southeastern Tibet, Motuo County lies at the easternmost end of the Himalayas and within the heart of the world's largest canyon—the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon. Benefitting from high-altitude mist and a pristine ecological environment, Motuo tea is in high demand. In the ethereal tea garden of Gelin Village, Bei Bang Township, tourists are experiencing the art of tea picking and processing. A lady from Chongqing remarked, "Even though it’s winter, many of the tea plants here have sprouted new buds, full of vitality. Here, one can not only enjoy the scenery but also experience the joy of picking tea leaves, while also taking in sights like Mount Namjagbarwa and the Yarlung Zangbo River—it has truly been a worthwhile trip." In recent years, Motuo County has actively developed its “three bases and one chain” highland subtropical specialty industry. The local tax bureau has closely followed the development of local industries, focusing on addressing the urgent needs and concerns of taxpayers and fee payers. They have implemented a service model of "one list per industry, one consultant per enterprise," precisely delivering "policy finds you" and "policy delivered to your doorstep" services to ensure that tax and fee reduction benefits reach… -
Bijie’s “Teas”! Have You Tried Them?
In the south, there are fine trees, and in Guizhou, excellent tea is produced. Guizhou is one of the world's origins of ancient tea trees. Its tea production has a long history. Tea culture runs deep and far. And Bijie, located in northwest Guizhou, is situated within the original region of Guizhou's tea trees. It boasts unique natural endowments and environmental conditions. Among its resources, tea stands out as particularly abundant. Today, let's take a look at some of Bijie's representative teas. I wonder which ones you've tried? ↓↓↓ "Qixingguan Taijicha" ▲Qixingguan Taijicha (Source: Qixingguan District Media Fusion Center) ▲Qixingguan Taijicha (Source: Qixingguan District Media Fusion Center) The town of Liangyan in Qixingguan District, with its low latitude, high altitude, scarce sunlight, frequent mists, and absence of pollution, provides exceptional geographic conditions for growing tea, nurturing ancient tea trees with distinctive characteristics and outstanding quality. Jinsha Qingchi Tea ▲Ren Guiru making Qingchi Tea using traditional techniques (Photographed by Luo Dafu) ▲Ren Guiru making Qingchi Tea using traditional techniques (Photographed by Luo Dafu) The discovery and use of Qingchi Tea as tribute can be traced back to the Western Han period. Qingchi Tea is one of Jinsha County's famous local specialties,… -
Bamunu and Zhengqitang: Outstanding Representatives of the Eastern Half Mountain, Hometown of Yunnan’s Tengtiao Tea
Many people view Mengku as a tea region that became famous due to Bingdao tea, but in fact, it was already a well-known tea distribution center in Yunnan Province since the 1920s. Later, the dominant tea company in Western Yunnan, "Yongchangxiang," often used Mengku tea as the main ingredient for its compressed tea. At that time, the eastern half mountain of Mengku, with its convenient transportation, had a far greater reputation than the western half mountain. The article will introduce Bamunu and Zhengqitang, outstanding representatives of the eastern half mountain, which also gave birth to a unique type of tea in the history of tea cultivation - Tengtiao tea. Zhengqitang, Little Bingdao "In past years, the Miasma Pond; now, the aroma of Bingdao. Our ancestors planted ancient trees; their descendants drink the tea. If only there were no cutting; generations would enjoy enduring blessings." Someone once described the history and characteristics of Zhengqitang with this little poem. Zhengqitang is located on the eastern edge of Mengku Town, under the jurisdiction of the Nase Village Committee of Mengku Town. It is five kilometers away from the village committee and 25 kilometers from the town government. It is a remote village with… -
Jiujia, the Tea King’s Secret Garden
The Tea King resides high in the Qianjiazhai area, leaning against the peak of Mount Daxueguoshan, the highest point of Ailao Mountain, a dignified and tranquil abode. Two waterfalls like white ribbons cascade down from Qianjiazhai, nourishing Jiujia—the Tea King's secret garden. Here, various rare flowers and herbs, exotic animals, and birds grow alongside the Tea King's carefully cultivated offspring. Encountering an ancient small-leaf tea tree in Jiujia If Zhenyuan is the domain of the Tea King and Qianjiazhai his residence, then Jiujia is his secret garden. Here, not only do all kinds of rare flowers, herbs, and exotic wildlife flourish, but also the Tea King's carefully bred descendants. Located in the northeastern part of Zhenyuan County, on the southwestern slope of Ailao Mountain, Jiujia Town borders Sanzhangtian Township to the southeast, overlooks Huashan Township in Jingdong County across the Ganhe River to the southwest, connects with Ejia Town in Shuangbai County to the north, and joins Zhenlong Town in Xinping County at the peak of Mount Liangzi to the northeast. Due to the discovery of the Qianjiazhai Tea King Tree and 495,000 ancient wild tea trees, the once obscure Jiujia has gained significant renown in the Pu'er tea world.… -
Rizhao City: Technical Guidance for Tea Gardens Dealing with Extreme Weather
According to the Rizhao City Meteorological Bureau's cold snap blue warning notice, affected by strong cold air, our city is expected to experience a cold snap from December 24th to 26th, with a temperature drop of 8-10°C. The lowest temperatures will occur on the morning of the 26th, with inland areas reaching around -10°C and coastal areas -8°C. On the 24th, daytime and nighttime northerly winds will strengthen to 5-6 on land, with gusts up to 8, gradually weakening on the 25th. Additionally, there will be sleet turning into light snow, with some areas experiencing moderate snow, from the daytime of the 24th through the night. Due to the significant temperature drop and low temperatures accompanied by light to moderate snow, there may be noticeable frost and snow damage, which could adversely affect tea plants overwintering in our city. To mitigate the impact of extreme weather on tea plants, the City Agricultural Technology Service Center has formulated technical guidance for tea gardens dealing with extreme weather. I. General Strategy for Winter Protection in Tea Gardens During Extreme Weather In the event of strong winds, heavy snow, and drastic temperature drops, timely winter protection measures should be taken for tea gardens.… -
Scientific Fertilization for Green, High-Yield, and Efficient Tea Production
Good tea thrives with proper nutrition; fertilizers are the material foundation for increasing yield and improving quality in tea production. Fertilization plays a crucial role in the growth of tea plants and the yield and quality of tea leaves. While some nutrients are supplied by the soil itself, its nutrient content is limited and subject to environmental factors, leading to significant losses through leaching and volatilization, which greatly reduces nutrient availability. This is insufficient to meet the needs of tea plant growth, let alone high yields and quality standards. Additionally, as a leaf-harvesting crop, the annual harvest of large quantities of buds and leaves removes a certain amount of nutrients. Therefore, most nutrients must be replenished through fertilization. When soil nutrient imbalances occur or there is an extreme deficiency of one or more nutrients, it is necessary to use appropriate fertilizers to correct the nutritional deficiencies to ensure high-yield and high-quality tea production. Therefore, proper management of tea gardens during different seasons is crucial, and fertilization is a key technology in garden management that should receive significant attention. Especially during autumn, a critical period for tea garden management, the focus is on rapidly restoring tree vigor to lay the groundwork… -
Exploring the Xishan Bailu Tea Processing Technique: Hands Never Leave the Tea in a 300-Degree Iron Wok
[Narration] Located to the west of Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, Mount Meiling is also known as "Xishan." The area boasts fresh air, rolling hills, clear water, and a beautiful ecological environment. Its unique soil and climate have nurtured the Xishan Bailu tea, which was once a tribute tea and enjoyed nationwide fame over a thousand years ago. Recently, Hu Weihua, the fourth-generation inheritor of the Nanchang municipal intangible cultural heritage "Xishan Bailu" tea processing technique, introduced and demonstrated the process of stir-frying this tea to reporters.Screenshot from China News Video Stepping into Hu Weihua's intangible cultural heritage workshop, the fragrant aroma of tea wafts from the cast-iron woks used for stir-frying. By applying different techniques in the woks, the shape of the tea leaves continuously changes. Hu Weihua told reporters that the process of stir-frying green tea involves picking, withering, rolling, and drying, but they make adjustments based on local conditions, taking into account the characteristics of the tea produced there and traditional craft requirements. [Synchronous Interview] Fourth-generation inheritor of the Xishan Bailu tea processing technique, Hu Weihua We emphasize high-temperature fixation, quickly reaching temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius to fix the tea in a short time, locking in its… -
Processing Technology: The Manufacturing Process and Key Points of Dongting Mountain Biluochun Tea from Suzhou
Dongting Mountain Biluochun tea is one of the top ten famous teas in China, ranking alongside Longjing tea from West Lake. It is produced in Dongting Mountain (now Dongshan Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou) and Xidongting Mountain (now Jinjing Town, Wuzhong District, on the West Hill Island of Taihu Lake, Suzhou). The tea groves and orchards are integrated, with tea plants interplanted among peach, plum, apricot, and loquat trees, representing a typical intercropping model of tea and fruit. The manufacturing process for Dongting Mountain Biluochun requires high standards, with premium-quality tea leaves needing to be handcrafted. The raw materials consist of the tender buds from a single bud and leaf at the initial stage of development from the local tea variety. Producing one pound of Dongting Mountain Biluochun requires 65,000 such buds, which are carefully processed through five steps: spreading, fixation, rolling, shaping, and baking. The finished Dongting Mountain Biluochun has a slender, tightly rolled shape resembling a snail, with visible bee legs, densely covered in white down, and a silvery-green hue with a hint of emerald. The infusion is bright yellowish-green, with a fresh aroma and prominent fruity fragrance. The taste is fresh and strong, with a noticeable fruity flavor.… -
Why is Yiwu Tea so Popular in the Pu’er World?
Yiwu, the origin of the ancient tea horse trail, is a holy land for Pu'er tea and known as the "tribute tea hometown." During the second year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing dynasty, a large number of craftsmen and tea aficionados flocked to Yiwu, forming a pattern where "every household had tea and every family drank tea." By the Qianlong period, Pu'er tea was presented to the imperial court and became highly favored by the royal family, listed as a tribute tea. From then on, it gained significant fame and prestige throughout the capital. As a town renowned for its tribute teas and now popular in the tea world, Yiwu is one of the core regions in the fierce competition for Pu'er tea raw materials. Every year, many tea enthusiasts make pilgrimages to the ancient town of Yiwu, which has always been a coveted location for merchants. Some may think that speculation plays a major role, but in reality, only by tasting pure and authentic old teas from Yiwu can one truly understand their value, which stems from the inherent superiority of the tea itself! In the Pu'er tea world, there is a saying: "Ban Zhang is the…