Little Lake Narcissus Tea

Little Lake Narcissus Tea

Little Lake Narcissus Tea is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　“A brief respite to sip tea with ease, The shimmering lake reflects clouds and breeze. From sacred springs where earth and sky expand, The Fairy Cave yields treasures from the land. Its fragrance lifts the spirit, boosts all trade, Its mellow taste brings joy in cups arrayed. All share its sweet aroma far and wide, Abroad its fame is lauded with pride.” This seven-character regulated poem describes the Little Lake Narcissus Tea from Jianyang, Fujian. In Fujian, there is a saying: “No fragrance surpasses Rougui, no charm exceeds Dahongpao, and no mellowness compares to Narcissus.” Narcissus Tea ranks first among the 48 “National Premium Tea Varieties” of China, and is the foremost among the 41 large-leaf, semi-arboreal tea varieties. It is truly a gem among Fujian’s oolong teas.

　　Jianyang in Fujian is regarded as the birthplace of Narcissus Tea. Here, you’ll find both pastoral natural scenery and a long, storied history. Therefore, the special reporting team from the Bianliang Evening News, on their “Song Dynasty Charm in China, Tea Unites the World” tea journey, chose this place for their exploration. On September 12, accompanied by Wang Liuzhen, head of the Jianyang District Party Committee Reporting Group, Quan Zuhe, director of the Three Rural Service Center in Xiaohu Town, Jianyang District, Ye Guobao, editorial board member of Minbei Daily, and Xu Lufeng, journalist from the news interview center, the team arrived in Xiaohu Town, Jianyang, to uncover the rich aroma of Narcissus Tea.

　　Xiaohu Town is located in the eastern part of Jianyang, on the banks of the Nanpu River, 22 kilometers from the city center. National Highway 205 runs straight through the town, which is known as the “Hometown of Narcissus Tea.” Currently, the town has a total of 5,300 acres of tea fields, producing nearly 10,000 dan (approximately 500 metric tons) of rough tea annually. Upon entering Xiaohu Town, visitors can see six large characters at the entrance of National Highway 205—“Birthplace of Narcissus Tea”—calligraphed by Zhang Tianfu, a centenarian and doyen of the tea industry.

　　Narcissus Tea is one of the national premium tea varieties. The oolong tea made from it boasts an exceptionally high aroma and a mellow taste. Its dry leaves resemble a frog in shape, with curled heads; their color is similar to frog skin, and the leaf base is bright, with golden edges and a silver base. The infusion is golden yellow, with a orchid-like fragrance and a sweet aftertaste. As a result, it has become a renowned product of Fujian’s tea industry and stands out among oolong teas. The production history of Xiaohu Narcissus Tea spans nearly 200 years, with a well-established production and processing technique, a long history, and excellent market reputation. As early as 1910, Xiaohu Narcissus Tea won the gold award at the Nanyang Industrial Exposition; in 1914, it received first prize at the Panama Exposition; and in 1926, the “Golden Phoenix Rock Narcissus,” meticulously crafted by the famed tea master and industry magnate Huang Bingyong from Dahuh, won the sole top prize for premium tea varieties at the Fujian Northern Tea Region Competition. At that time, Sa Zhenbing, then governor of Fujian Province, personally inscribed and gifted a golden plaque reading “Wuyi 0,” making Xiaohu Narcissus Tea famous throughout the world.

　　The production area covered by the “Xiaohu Narcissus” geographical indication certification trademark includes: within the administrative region of Jianyang District, Nanping City, Fujian Province (latitude 27°06′–27°43′, longitude 117°31′–118°38′), encompassing 8 towns, 3 townships, and 2 subdistrict offices—namely Shuiji Town, Zhangdun Town, Xiaohu Town, Jiangkou Town, Xushi Town, Jukou Town, Masha Town, and Huangkeng Town; Shufang Township, Chongluo Township, and Huilong Township; as well as Tancheng Subdistrict and Tongyou Subdistrict.

　　This region is located at the southern foot of the Wuyi Mountains in northern Fujian, characterized by a mid-subtropical monsoon climate with abundant light and heat resources. The annual average temperature is 18.1°C, with 176 rainy days and 105 foggy days per year. Winters are short and summers long, with frequent fog in autumn and winter. The soil in the production area is mainly red soil and red-yellow soil, with an average soil layer thickness of over 1.1 meters and an organic matter content of 2.91%. The pH value ranges between 4.6 and 6.5. These unique natural conditions contribute to the distinctive and superior quality of “Xiaohu Narcissus.”