Gynostemma, also known as Five-leaf Gynostemma or Seven-leaf Gynostemma, has a bitter taste and cold nature. It is a perennial creeping herbaceous plant belonging to the Gynostemma genus of the Cucurbitaceae family. It is widely distributed across the Qinling Mountains and vast areas south of the Yangtze River in China. There are eleven species and four varieties within the same genus, which are also found in countries such as India and Japan. As early as the Ming Dynasty, the book "Jiuhuang Bencao" (Herbal for Famine Relief) recorded Gynostemma as a wild plant used for sustenance during famine years. In Chinese folk medicine, Gynostemma has been used as an anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, cough-relieving, and phlegm-expelling remedy for treating chronic bronchitis and infectious diseases. Gynostemma contains various saponins, vitamins, and amino acids that are beneficial to human health. Over 80 types of saponins have been isolated, many of which share structural similarities with ginsenosides, hence earning it the nickname “Southern Ginseng.” Gynostemma has anti-aging, anti-tumor, anti-fatigue, and blood lipid-lowering effects. It can also have sedative, sleep-inducing, and analgesic properties, making it a promising clinical medicine and an essential healthcare supplement for modern households. In Japan, Gynostemma saponins have been added to various food products. Rice vinegar made with these saponins is known to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and act as a mild laxative. Gynostemma saponins can also be mixed with ethanol, vitamin E, and vitamin A to create tea-like beverages. Japan has also produced a “Longevity Wine” using Gynostemma as the main ingredient. Some provinces and cities in China have developed a range of Gynostemma-based products, such as Gynostemma tea, Gulan Cola, Gynostemma royal jelly, Gynostemma dew, and Gynostemma granules. These products are now widely used across the country, which is why Gynostemma has also been hailed as the “New Star in Anti-Cancer” and the “Goddess of Health and Beauty.” The Qiaoshang series of Gynostemma tea is produced in Qiaoshang, located at an altitude of 1,700 meters on the northern foothills of Shennongjia in Hubei Province. It is purely wild and natural. The tea has a dragon beard-like appearance, with a clear green liquor, pure and sweet flavor, smooth mouthfeel, and an endless aftertaste. It holds significant health benefits and is highly popular.
Tea cultivation in Yunxian had already formed large plantations during the Qing Dynasty and the Republican era, mainly consisting of locally grown small-leaf tea cultivars, which were distributed across the entire county. Areas such as Gaqiao in Baoxia, Taishan in Yeda, and Caishenmiao in Huanglong had relatively higher concentrations. In 1949, the county produced 600 kilograms of tea. Starting in 1964, superior tea varieties from other regions were introduced, and in 1965, tea production reached 2,100…
At the Sixth China Specialties Culture Festival held in late October 2004, Zhuxi County was named the “Hometown of Chinese Organic Green Tea.” The city of Shiyan gained another “green” gold-plated title. The natural conditions in Zhuxi County are well-suited for growing organic green tea. The county has introduced nine high-quality tea varieties such as “Fuding” and “Wuniucao.”
Xinshen Cave Tea Xinshen Cave Tea Xinshen Cave Tea is a pan-fired green tea and one of the traditional famous teas of Hubei produced by Xinshen Cave Fruit & Tea Co., Ltd., often referred to as “Xinshen Cave Mao Feng Tea.” Songzi has a long history of tea cultivation, which began when the Tea Sage Lu Yu developed tea plantations while traveling along the Three Gorges. It was once an imperial tribute during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era. After the reform and opening-up period, through scientific management and meticulous research...
Lotus leaves are the foliage of the perennial aquatic herbaceous plant lotus. Their chemical components mainly include lotus leaf alkaloids, citric acid, malic acid, gluconic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, and other alkaline compounds with anti-mitotic effects. Pharmacological studies have found that lotus leaves possess antipyretic, antibacterial, and antispasmodic properties. After processing, lotus leaves taste bitter and astringent, with a slightly salty...
Bailongtan Misty Tea is a high-quality, renowned tea created by Songzi Swan Tea Farm. The farm is located at the “Swan Embracing an Egg” site where Songzi borders Zhicheng: nature carved out the White Dragon Pool, and the earth sprouted eight springs. Rolling hills and layered peaks are shrouded in mist, with lush greenery as far as the eye can see, giving visitors the feeling of “ascending a cloud ladder onto verdant mountains, gently being escorted into the ninth heaven!” Early on…
Lianghu Biyu Tea is a specialty of Liangzi Lake in Ezhou City, Hubei Province. As a distinctive agricultural brand of the Lianghu area in Ezhou, Hubei, “Lianghu Biyu Tea” now enjoys a certain level of recognition both within and outside the province. Lianghu is the abbreviated name for Liangzi Lake, as locals in Ezhou commonly refer to Liangzi Lake as Lianghu. Lianghu Biyu Tea is produced in the forest reserve of the Zhoushan Mountain Range in Zhoushan Town. There is a mountain path in the forest reserve known as the Lianghu Small Mountain Path, with lush Biyu tea plantations stretching out in front of and behind the path. The Zhoushan Mountain Range spans hundreds of square kilometers, offering ever-changing and picturesque scenery throughout the four seasons. It is an ideal destination for spring outings, summer retreats, autumn hikes, and winter snow viewing—conditions that are highly conducive to tea cultivation. At its peak, the tea plantation covered an area of 11,000 mu, and the tea has been cultivated here for over twenty years. In addition to the general health benefits of regular tea, Lianghu Biyu Tea also offers anti-aging, anti-cancer, and anti-atherosclerosis properties, helps prevent and treat diabetes, aids in weight loss and fitness, prevents dental caries, clears heat and reduces internal heat, and counteracts the effects of smoking and alcohol.
Zhao Mountain Tea is a specialty of Zhaoshan Town, Liangzi Lake, Ezhou City, Hubei Province. "Zhaoshan Spring," also known as Zhao Mountain Tea, is a green tea grown in Zhaoshan Forest Park (Zhaoshan Forest Farm) and refined through traditional craftsmanship. Zhaoshan Forest is located at the summit of Zhaoshan in the southeastern corner of Zhaoshan Town, Ezhou City, with the Tie (Mountain) - He (Shengqiao) Highway passing along the mountain's base.
As a distinctive agricultural brand in Ezhou, “Zhao Mountain Tea Oil” now enjoys a certain level of recognition both within and outside the province. Zhao Mountain Tea Oil is produced in Zhao Mountain, which spans an area of about a hundred square kilometers and is located to the east of Liangzi Lake in Ezhou. The overlapping and undulating peaks of Zhao Mountain form a series of barriers that surround the towering main peak. The main peak stands at an elevation of 418 meters and features formations such as Fupan Hill and Lion Stone, with a pool beneath the rocks that is crystal clear. Zhao Mountain Forest Park is situated atop the eastern edge of Zhao Mountain, at the junction of Bao’an Town in Daye City and Zhao Mountain Town in the southeast. The Tie (Mountain) He (Shengqiao) Highway runs along the mountain’s base. The park’s protected forest area covers a total of 19.98 million square meters, making it a provincial-level forest park. Within Zhao Mountain Forest Park, the pine and bamboo are lush, the peaks are uniquely shaped, and the rocks are peculiar, with valleys crisscrossing the landscape. The main peak has an elevation of 418.5 meters. The park offers distinct and beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons, making it an ideal place for spring outings, summer retreats, autumn hikes, and winter snow viewing. It is also highly suitable for tea oil cultivation, which has been practiced here for over twenty years. The tea oil planting area in Zhao Mountain spans 83,000 mu, with a total production of over 10,000 tons, accounting for more than 8% of the province’s total tea oil yield, making it the largest tea oil production base in the province.
Qingjiangping Village, located in Wuduhe Town, Yiling District, Yichang, Hubei Province, lies in the mountainous northwest of Yiling District. It serves as the “eastern gateway” to Wuduhe Town and is also a strategic “throat village” leading to Xingshan, Zigui, and Shennongjia. The village covers a total area of 51.55 square kilometers, including 11,815 mu of arable land and 36,400 mu of forested hills.
Yuan'an Yellow Tea is a specialty of Yuan'an County, Yichang City, Hubei Province. Yuan'an Mushroom Maopingchang Town Edible Fungus Industry Association 12860535 Dried Mushrooms…
Deer Garden Tea is another fine variety of yellow tea. It is produced at the Deer Garden Temple in Yuan'an County, Hubei Province, and has a history of 750 years. According to local chronicles, it was initially cultivated in small quantities by monks beside the temple. The fragrant aroma of the tea caught the attention of nearby villagers, who began planting it themselves, gradually expanding its cultivation. A stone tablet at the Deer Garden Temple also bears a poem from Qing Dynasty eminent monk Jintian, who visited the temple in the ninth year of the Guangxu reign (1883) and praised Deer Garden Tea: “A celestial elixir surpassing all, its fragrance intoxicates the air; not only does it clear the heart and brighten the eyes, but it also helps suppress drowsiness during meditation.”
Qingjiang Tea is a specialty of Changyang County in Yichang City, Hubei Province. Qingjiang Tea from Changyang boasts excellent internal qualities such as strong tenderness retention, rich amino acids, fragrant aroma, refreshing and sweet taste, and long-lasting brewability. The area around Changyang is shrouded in mist, enjoys abundant rainfall, and has a mild climate. Especially after the construction of the Geheyan Dam on the Qingjiang River, numerous lakes were formed.
The tea leaves are palm-shaped with abundant fuzz, producing a clear and fragrant brew. Produced in the area around Yuquan Temple in Dangyang, this tea dates back to the Tang Dynasty and has a history of over 1,200 years. It is a renowned local tea from Hubei Province. Yiquan Cactus Tea comes from the Yuquan Mountain area and its surroundings in Dangyang City, Hubei Province. As one of China’s famous historical teas, it was named by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai and has been celebrated through the ages as one of the “Three Treasures of Yuquan.” Since the 1980s, Yiquan Cactus Tea has been featured multiple times in media outlets such as China Tea, Hubei Science and Technology Daily, Yichang Daily, Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao, China National Radio, and Hubei TV. It has been recognized repeatedly as a local famous tea in Hubei and Yichang, and has won gold awards at the China Agricultural Expo. This tea combines three major green tea processing techniques—steamed green, pan-fired green, and baked green—resulting in unique quality characteristics: flat, palm-like leaves with emerald green color and visible white fuzz; when brewed, the leaves unfurl and the liquor is tender green; the taste is fresh, delicate, and refreshing, with a light and lasting fragrance. Rich in tea polyphenols, theanine, vitamins, and other beneficial compounds, Yiquan Cactus Tea helps relieve fatigue, refresh the mind, promote salivation, quench thirst, induce diuresis and relieve diarrhea, clear heat and detoxify, soothe coughs and calm wheezing, and aid in digestion and weight loss. It is an excellent choice for tea enthusiasts.
Hongshan Tea is a specialty of Yidu in Yichang City, Hubei Province. The tea from Yidu has been renowned for its quality since ancient times. Grown on Hongjia Daling, opposite Chayuan Temple in Songmuping Commune of Yidu County, Hongshan Tea was listed as a “tribute tea” four hundred years ago. The unique quality and character of Hongshan Tea are attributed to its exceptionally favorable natural environment. Hongjia Daling sits at an altitude of 580 meters, with an annual...
Yidu Yihong Black Tea is a specialty of Yidu City, Yichang, Hubei Province. Yihong Black Tea features tightly rolled leaves, a dark lustrous color, a fresh and fragrant aroma, a sweet and mellow taste, and uniformly red leaf bases, forming its uniquely charming Yihong style. Yidu Yihong Black Tea is a nationally protected geographical indication agricultural product. The tea leaves are tightly rolled with golden tips, and have a dark, glossy, and oily appearance.
The Yichang area in Hubei Province is one of China’s ancient tea-growing regions. Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea, once ranked the teas from this region as the finest among Shannan teas in his classic work, The Classic of Tea. Historical records indicate that Yichang black tea was first produced in the mid-19th century and has a history of over 100 years. In 1861, Hankou was designated as a treaty port, and the British soon established foreign trading firms to purchase large quantities of black tea.
Also known as high-zinc tea, natural zinc-rich tea gets its name from the trace element zinc found in the leaves. According to health department tests, the zinc content in the zinc-rich tea produced in our township reaches 70–85 mg/kg—twice as high as that of Japan, Sri Lanka, and other regions. "Natural Zinc-Rich Tea…"
Zigui County has a long history of tea production, abundant tea resources, and naturally high-quality tea. According to county records, Guizhou (an ancient name for Zigui) was a tribute tea-producing region during the Tang Dynasty. The 1901 edition of the *Guizhou Annals* states in its section on local products: “When brewed and kept in a bowl overnight, its color remains unchanged.” The development of tea production in our county has gone through several stages: initial growth after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, steady development in the late 1980s, stagnant growth in the late 1990s, and rapid development in the new century. By the end of 2009, a total of 12 townships (towns), 120 villages, and 55,000 farming households in the county were engaged in tea production. The current tea plantation area covers 53,700 mu, of which 32,000 mu are harvested, including 15,000 mu dedicated to early-harvest tea bases. The annual tea output reaches 1,682 tons, of which 1,300 tons are premium teas, accounting for 77.3%. The total value of tea production is 33.64 million yuan. The main concentrated production areas are in five townships: Maoping, Jiuniànxi, Guojiaba, Shazhenxi, and Shuitianba. The county now has over 110 tea processing factories, including two with an annual processing capacity of over 1,000 tons of dried tea, and more than 1,300 sets of tea processing machinery.
Jiǔwǎn Silky Tea is a specialty of Jiǔwǎnxi Town, Zigui County, Yichang City, Hubei Province. The tea features tightly rolled, uniformly shaped leaves with a silvery-green hue and subtle emerald tones. It boasts a pure and delicate aroma, clear and bright liquor, a fresh and brisk taste, and a long-lasting aftertaste. Known for its "high fragrance, sweet taste, and excellent endurance through multiple infusions," it has received high praise from all walks of life and is highly favored by consumers.