The Qingzhu Tea Garden
Overview of the Tea Garden
The suitable elevation of the geopark, warm and rainy climate, and acidic soils provide good conditions for the growth of tea. The tea produced here is known as the “Treasure of Green Tea” for its mellow and sweet quality. Qingzhushan Tea Garden is a typical representative of such green tea. Covering an area of 600 mu (40 hectares), it has a high-quality tea planting base, with an annual production capacity of 80 tons of organic tea.
In October 2012, it was granted QS certification, and won the second prize of Tea King Cup in the same year. In 2015, it was designated as a “Demonstration site for organic tea under World Fair Trade Organization”.
“While the rosy clouds are reflected in green mountains and lush waters, my home is situated deep in the clouds; everyone carries a small basket on his/her back, to pick tea leaves on the mountains.” The Tea Song of Guzhang, sung by Song Zuying, a famous female Chinese singer, describes the scene of picking tea in Xingxi.
History of Tea in Qingzhu Mountain
Guzhang was listed as one of the key tea production areas in East Han Dynasty (25-220). Later, Qingzhushan Maojian Tea was used as a tribute to the imperial court in Tang Dynasty (618-907). So far, the tea mountain is still full of life.
Tea-Making Process
The traditional tea-making process is still kept in Qingzhu Mountain, and consists of eight steps, according to the Annals of Guzhang County.
The reason why Qingzhushan Tea is delicious is closely related to the local acid soil. The pH value of soil in Qingzhu Mountain is lower than 6.2, while the content of trace elements including Cu and Zn is high. The content of hazardous elements such as Pb, As, Hg, Cr and Cd is much lower than that of the national soil background value.
“Come here, enjoy a cup of tea!” You can often hear such call in tea houses in Guzhang County. The local custom of drinking tea and various activities make the tea in Xiangxi become very popular.
In the past, it was difficult to promote the tea of Xiangxi even though it is delicious since tourism industry was underdeveloped. After Xiangxi Geopark was established, many tourists come here. Some tea experts also conduct study tour in this area. The local government has established Qingzhu Mountain area as a demonstration site of poverty alleviation.
Founded in 2011, Guzhang Qingzhushan Tea Industry Co.,Ltd. is a private company of tea industrial development that integrates tea planting, production, processing, scientific research, sales, import and export of tea products, tea garden-based tourism and tea culture promotion.
From 2007 until now: big boom；
In 2008: Gold Prize at China Green Tea Summit；
In 2010: Gold Prize at the 8th International Famous Tea Ranking；
“Eight Steps of Processing Tea” for Guzhang Maojian Tea was listed as intangible cultural heritage of Hunan Province；
In 2011: Guzhang Maojian Tea was awarded “China Famous Trademark”；
Guzhang Maojian Tea was granted the Grand Prize in the 9th “China Tea Cup” National Famous Tea Ranking；
In 2014: Guzhang Maojian Tea was granted the Gold Prize at World Tea Expo(in the USA); and Guzhang County was named “Hometown of Famous Tea in China”；
In 2015: Guzhang Maojian Tea was granted the Gold Prize of China’s Famous Tea at Expo Milano in Italy；
In 2016: Guzhang County was named “Hometown of Organic Tea in China”；
Guzhang Maojian Tea was named “Top 10 Agricultural Brands in Hunan Province”；
In 2017: Guzhang local tea company was certified as the original production area of ecological product；
Guzhang County was named “Hometown of Famous Tea of China Culture”；
Guzhang Maojian Tea was named “Famous Tea of Chinese Culture”；
Guzhang County was named “Top 10 Attractive Tea Producing Areas in China”；
“Top 10 Ecological Tea Producing Counties in China”；
“Demonstration Site of National Ecological Products Source Areas Protected in China”；
“Demonstration Site of Quality Safety for National-level, Agricultural Food Products for Export”；
Guzhang Black Tea was named a product under the protection of National Geography Mark.
