Baiya Qilan Tea

Baiya Qilan Tea

Baiya Qilan Tea is a geographical indication protected product.

Baiya Qilan Tea is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Baiya Qilan Tea is an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　Baiya Qilan gets its name from the prominent white fuzz on its buds and shoots, as well as its leaves that resemble “bamboo-leaf Qilan.” The finished tea boasts a distinctive “orchid” aroma. It is a new variety that emerged during the evolution of oolong tea, successfully cultivated as a rare and fine strain through over ten years of dedicated efforts by researchers and tea farmers in Pinghe County, who single-handedly selected it from local Qilan tea cultivars. Baiya Qilan Tea features a tightly rolled, uniform appearance, with a leaf base showcasing a contrast of red and green hues, deep green and glossy. Its aroma is fresh, high, and pleasant, with a prominent varietal fragrance reminiscent of long-lasting orchid scent. The taste is refreshing and delicate, the liquor bright orange-yellow, and the leaf base soft and shiny, all contributing to its unique mountainous charm. Regular consumption of Baiya Qilan Tea can refresh the mind, aid digestion, lower blood pressure, prevent cancer, assist in weight loss and body toning, relieve summer heat and irritability, stimulate saliva and improve circulation, and promote longevity. Brewing it with natural spring water or the mineral water from Pinghe’s Sanping adds to the experience, offering a feeling of transcendence akin to the poetic realm described in Tang poetry: “Five bowls cleanse the bones; six bowls connect one to the immortal spirit.”

　　Baiya Qilan Tea is a rare new fine variety of oolong tea successfully cultivated in China through the joint efforts of tea specialists from the Agricultural Bureau of Pinghe County in Fujian Province and the tea plant population selection team in Pengxi Village, Qiling Township. It is a shrub-type, mid-sized leaf variety, characterized by obvious white fuzz on new shoots, medium tree vigor, a semi-spreading canopy, dense branching, and low branch placement.

　　The newly cultivated Baiya Qilan Tea passed the provincial-level tea plant variety approval in 1996. The cultivation and processing of Baiya Qilan Tea are highly meticulous, with refined techniques and a high success rate in producing premium tea. In the spring of 1996, samples sent to the Tea Quality Inspection Center of the Ministry of Agriculture were appraised as follows: “Tightly rolled and uniform in shape, deep green and glossy; the liquor is orange-yellow, the aroma fresh and high, the taste refreshing and delicate, and the leaf base showcases a contrast of red and green. Overall evaluation: Baiya Qilan Tea is of high quality and considered a premium product among green teas.” In May 1995, samples were sent to the Tea Quality Inspection Center of the Ministry of Agriculture for component analysis, which revealed: “Baiya Qilan Tea contains 15.7% polyphenols, 2.8% caffeine, 11.78% total catechins, and 0.8% amino acids. Both the polyphenol and caffeine content of Baiya Qilan Tea are higher than those of Anxi Tieguanyin, Sezhong, and other oolongs. Additionally, Baiya Qilan Tea contains various vitamins and rare elements. Regular consumption offers benefits such as refreshing the mind, aiding digestion, lowering blood pressure, assisting in weight loss, relieving summer heat and irritability, stimulating saliva and improving circulation, and promoting longevity.”

　　Baiya Qilan Tea is one of the three major green food products in Pinghe County and serves as a key economic pillar for the mountainous communities in the western half of the county. To date, 60,000 acres of Baiya Qilan Tea have been planted across the county, yielding over 6,000 tons annually. To further accelerate the industrialization of Baiya Qilan Tea, the Pinghe County Party Committee and County Government have proposed a development strategy: “Promote agriculture through tea, cultivate famous brands, expand scale, and invigorate distribution; use tea as a medium to make friends, attract external investment, strengthen internal ties, and enrich the people while strengthening the county.” The western regions, including towns such as Xiazhai, Qiling, Jiufeng, Changle, Xiufeng, and Luxi, have been designated as a hundred-mile Baiya Qilan Tea industrialization base. Moreover, increased investment in technology, manpower, and resources is planned. By 2010, the goal is to develop a 100,000-acre Baiya Qilan Tea industrialized commodity base in the west, producing 6,000 tons of premium tea annually and achieving an annual output value of 300 million yuan. This initiative aims to help Pinghe’s tea industry break out of Asia and reach the world, spreading the fragrance of Baiya Qilan Tea far and wide.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The geographic protection area for the “Pinghe Baiya Qilan” agricultural geographical indication covers mountainous towns at elevations between 500 and 1,200 meters surrounding Daxian Mountain. This includes 91 administrative villages across nine townships: Qiling, Jiufeng, Changle, Xiufeng, Luxi, Xiazhai, Daxi, Guoqiang, and Angou. The geographic coordinates are: longitude 116°53′12"–117°31′15" and latitude 24°02′31"–24°35′25". The total protected area spans 111,000 hectares. As of the end of 2014, the production area was 8,333.3 hectares, with an annual yield of 12,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: Pinghe Baiya Qilan is tightly rolled and substantial in form, with a dark brownish-green, glossy color. Its internal aroma is rich, long-lasting, and distinctly varietal, complemented by a bright golden-yellow liquor, a mellow and fresh taste, and a soft, bright leaf base with clear reddish edges. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: The finished Baiya Qilan Tea contains polyphenols ranging from 10% to 30%, caffeine between 2% and 4%, and a total amino acid content between 100–200g/kg. 3. Product Quality and Safety Standards: The safety indicators of Pinghe Baiya Qilan comply with (GB2762, GB2763) standards.