Qian Dao Yin Zhen

Qian Dao Yin Zhen

　　Jiande City has a long history of tea culture, with documented evidence dating back to before the Tang Dynasty. Historical records such as the "Supplement to the History of the Tang Dynasty" mention Qian Dao Xi Cha (Fine Tea from Jiande) among the famous teas of the Tang era. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Jiande tea was listed as an imperial tribute. The Ming dynasty scholar Tan Qian wrote in his work "Zao Lin Za Zu": “Five jin of sprout tea from Jiande County” (the fine tea of Tang-era Jiande had evolved into sprout tea by the Ming). The "Complete Statutes of the Qing Dynasty" also record: “Of the 37 prefectures and counties that presented tribute in this dynasty, 10 were from Zhejiang,” and among them, the tea contributed by Yan State (which included Jiande) was sprout tea from Jiande. In 1960, with the completion and commissioning of the Xin’an River Hydropower Station, Qiandao Lake was formed. In 1982, tea producers from the Xin’an River area revived and innovated the traditional Jiande Xi Cha, renaming it Qian Dao Yin Zhen tea. In recent years, Qian Dao Yin Zhen tea has focused on improving quality, steadily increasing in recognition. It has earned titles such as one of Hangzhou’s Seven Treasures, Zhejiang Famous Agricultural Product, Zhejiang Well-known Trademark, China Well-known Trademark, and one of the Ten Famous Teas of Hangzhou. From 2010 to 2014, it won the Gold Award at the Zhejiang Agricultural Expo for five consecutive years, and in 2014 received the Gold Award at the China Green Food Expo.

　　III. Geographic Scope

　　Qian Dao Yin Zhen tea is produced in the vast region along the Xin’an River in Jiande City—China’s first organic tea hometown—including Lijia Town, Datong Town, Hangtou Town, Shouchang Town, Genglou Subdistrict, Xin’anjiang Subdistrict, Yangxi Subdistrict, Xiaya Town, Lianhua Town, Yangcunqiao Town, Dayang Town, Meicheng Town, Sandu Town, Qiantan Town, and Qintang Township, covering 16 towns and subdistricts across 84 villages. Jiande is located in western Zhejiang Province, along the upper reaches of the Qiantang River, in the central section of the Hangzhou–Huangshan golden tourism route. Its geographic coordinates are between 118°53′46″ to 119°45′51″ east longitude and 29°12′20″ to 29°46′27″ north latitude. It borders Pujiang County to the east, neighbors Lanxi City and Longyou County to the south, adjoins Quzhou District of Quzhou City to the southwest, neighbors Chun’an County to the northwest, and connects with Tonglu County to the northeast. The tea-growing area stretches 84.38 km from Shuangmenzao in Zizhou Village (formerly part of Yao Village Township), Qiantan Town in the east, to Lutongyuan in Dakengyuan Village, Lijia Town in the west, and spans 62.93 km from Juetang Village, Hangtou Town in the south, to Shipaotou Fulvling in Dayuan Village (formerly part of Xiabao Township), Qiantan Town in the north.

　　IV. Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) Sensory Characteristics: Qian Dao Yin Zhen tea features a straight, needle-like shape, vibrant tender green color, bright and clear tender green liquor, strong and rich aroma, fresh mellow taste with a lingering sweet aftertaste. When brewed, the leaves stand gracefully upright in the cup like suspended jade, offering excellent drinking and visual appreciation values. These sensory characteristics result from the unique natural environment, special tea variety, and distinctive production techniques of Qian Dao Yin Zhen tea. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Testing shows that Qian Dao Yin Zhen tea contains over 2.0% amino acids and 9%–10% tea polyphenols. (3) Quality and Safety: The quality and safety of Qian Dao Yin Zhen tea are ensured through the testing and monitoring of physical samples for physicochemical and hygiene indicators. These indicators comply with GB2762, GB2763, and reference standards in NY/T5244.