Zhangping Shuixian Tea

Zhangping Shuixian Tea

Zhangping Shuixian Tea is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Zhangping Shuixian Tea is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　The stems of Shuixian tea are thick, with long internodes, plump leaves, high moisture content, and water that does not easily dissipate. The dry tea leaves are tightly rolled and twisted, resembling “cane shapes” or “carrying pole shapes.” The rough tea stems are square-shaped, with a color that is dark green tinged with yellow, resembling banana color, and the “three-tone color” is distinct. The inner quality features an orange-yellow or golden-clear liquor, with a high and slender aroma, a distinct orchid fragrance, a mellow and refreshing taste with floral notes, plump and soft bright leaves, visible red edges, wide, yellow, and flat main veins on the leaves.

　　The Zhangping Shuixian tea cake has an antique charm and a rich traditional flavor, with a high and lingering aroma that possesses a natural floral scent reminiscent of orchids. Its taste is mellow, smooth, delicate, and lively. These qualities stem from its meticulous and highly flexible, artistic production process. The Zhangping Shuixian tea cake can be stored for a long time, is resistant to brewing, and has a reddish-yellow liquor. Upon careful tasting, the orchid floral aroma emerges, providing a smooth throat feel and a pleasant aftertaste. It also has the characteristics of being gentle on the stomach even with prolonged or frequent consumption. In addition to refreshing the mind, it also aids digestion, promotes bowel movements, detoxifies, and removes dampness, making it truly a premium tea.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Zhangping Shuixian Tea is produced in nine townships in Zhangping City, Fujian Province: Nanyang Township, Shuangyang Town, Chishui Town, Xinqiao Town, Wuci Township, Lingdi Township, Xinan Town, Xianghu Town, and Yongfu Town. Zhangping is located in the southwestern part of Fujian Province, upstream of the North River of the Jiulong River. Its geographical coordinates are between 117°10′–117°45′ east longitude and 24°54′–25°47′ north latitude. The elevation of Zhangping city is 150m, while the seat of Nanyang Township, the main production area of Shuixian tea, is at 190m, and the seat of Shuangyang Town is at 320m. Zhangping City borders Yongchun County and Anxi County to the east, Huian County and Nanjing County to the south, Xinluo District to the west, and Yong’an City and Datian County to the north. The terrain slopes from the south and north toward the central river valley, mainly consisting of low mountains, with some mid-level mountains and few basins. It lies in the hinterland of the Daiyu Mountain, Daiyun Mountain, and Boping Ridge ranges. The city features significant elevation differences, forming various microclimatic zones. Vegetation coverage is good, with a forest coverage rate of 76.2%. The city spans 58km from east to west and 98km from north to south, covering a land area of 2,975 square kilometers.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: The soils in Zhangping are mainly lateritic red soil, purple soil, and paddy soil. Lateritic red soil is generally distributed in hills and low–mid mountains and the lower parts of mid–high mountains below 700–800m elevation. Yellow-red soil is typically found in the mid–lower parts of mid–high mountains and upper parts of low mountains at 700–1,100m elevation. Yellow soil is generally distributed in the mid–upper parts of mid–high mountains above 900m elevation, while coarse yellow soil is usually found on mountaintops above 1,200m elevation. Cultivated land soils are distributed across hills and low–mid mountains at elevations of 140–1,170m.

　　(2) Hydrology: The river that flows through Zhangping city is the North River of the Jiulong River. It originates from Dachapeng Village in Hugang Township, Yongding, becomes Yan Shi Creek after passing through Longyan City, and then joins the Wan’an Creek at HeXi Village before entering Zhangping. It further incorporates the Jiupeng Creek (Shuangyang Creek), Xinqiao Creek, and Gongqiao Creek before reaching the urban area. Flowing southeastward, it exits at Luzhi Township into Huian County. The main planting areas of Shuixian tea are irrigated by the Jiupeng Creek, which originates from Xiangliao Village in Chishui Town and Wenkeng Village in Shuangyang Town, flowing through Shuangyang Town and Nanyang Township. Xinqiao Creek originates from Chengmen Village in Xinqiao Town and Xikeng Village in Lingdi Township. The streams in Xianghu and Xinnan originate from Liudiyang Village in Wuci Township, flow through Xianghu Town and Xinnan Town, and then enter the Jiulong River via Yuantan Village in Luzhi Township. Yongfu Creek originates from Qingyuan Village, flows through Xiaye Village in Guantian Township, and enters the Jiulong River via Huian County.

　　The catchment area above the Zhangping hydrological station in the urban area covers 4,940 square kilometers, with a river length of 122km, an average channel slope of 3.7‰, and a basin shape coefficient of 0.33. The area receives abundant rainfall year-round, with an average annual precipitation of 1,683mm, making it a well-known mountainous hydropower county in Fujian Province.

　　There are no large factories in the Shuixian tea planting areas of Zhangping. Irrigation water comes from mountain springs and is unpolluted. There is no discharge of “three wastes” or air pollution, nor is there a history of heavy metal contamination.

　　(3) Climate: The climate in Zhangping City is subtropical monsoon, characterized by warm and humid conditions, distinct dry and wet seasons, and occasional occurrence of severe weather. The annual average temperature in Zhangping city is 20.4°C, with January averaging 11.0°C and July averaging 28.1°C. The annual average precipitation in the city is 1,486.4mm, with rainfall concentrated in May and June, accounting for 35% of the annual total. Seasonal distribution is as follows: February to April averages 367.1mm (24.7%), May to July averages 647.5mm (43.6%), August to October averages 344.4mm (23.2%), and November to January averages 127.5mm (8.6%). The relative humidity of the air is 78%, the annual average sunshine duration is 1,891.4 hours, and the frost period lasts 47.2 days.

　　(4) Humanistic and Historical Background: Zhangping Shuixian Tea was introduced and cultivated in the early years of the Republic of China, having been grown for nearly a hundred years (it was first produced in Zhongcun, Shuangyang, and cultivated by Deng Guanjin, who brought it from Shuiji, Jian’ou—production history exceeds 80 years, per the 1990 county annals), gradually replacing the dominant variety “caicha.” Due to its superior quality, Shuixian tea has continued to thrive and develop, gradually becoming one of the city’s advantageous agricultural products. Nanyang Township and Shuangyang Town are the main production areas. In recent years, the Zhangping Municipal Party Committee and Government have listed the tea industry as one of the city’s 16 key development industries (projects), introducing a series of preferential policies for tea industry development. The tea industry faces unprecedented opportunities for growth, sparking a citywide enthusiasm for tea cultivation, leading to continuous expansion in tea production scale.

　　The cultivation model has been continuously optimized, and technical levels have steadily improved. For many years, events such as the Shuixian Tea King Competition or Evaluation Conference, Tea Picking Competitions, and Tea-making Skill Competitions have been held. Additionally, activities promoting “Zhangping Shuixian Tea Culture” have been organized, including performances by the “Zhangping Shuixian Tea” tea art troupe, production of a “Zhangping Shuixian Tea” documentary, and publication of promotional booklets, among other vibrant tea-related events.

　　The production method of Zhangping Shuixian Tea is similar to that of Northern Fujian Shuixian, while also incorporating techniques from Southern Fujian Tieguanyin. It is pressed into square tea cakes using molds of specific dimensions, known as “Shuixian Tea Cakes.” The Shuixian Tea Cake was created in the 1930s, originating from Zhongcun in Shuangyang Town. It is the only compressed tea in the oolong category, with rare quality and a unique style. It is popular throughout western Fujian, as well as in Guangdong and Xiamen, and is exported to Southeast Asian countries and regions. Building on traditional production methods, Zhangping Shuixian Tea has also explored new processing techniques. Innovations such as air-conditioned tea processing, microwave drying, and frozen tea production have been introduced and promoted.

　　The quality of Zhangping Shuixian Tea has continuously improved, and its planting area has expanded year by year. Tea production has become an important industry driving the development of agriculture and rural economy, as well as a primary means of income growth for farmers in mountainous areas. Since 2003, four major producers of Zhangping Shuixian Tea have obtained certifications for green food and pollution-free agricultural products. In 2008, the National Standardization Management Committee included the comprehensive standardized production of Zhangping Shuixian Tea in the National Agricultural Standardization Demonstration Zone. Zhangping Shuixian Tea has won numerous national and provincial/ministerial-level awards in competitions.