Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea

Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea

Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Origin and Distribution of Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea was developed in 1981 by the Xiapu County Tea Bureau of Fujian Province through single-plant selection from the "Chunfen Tea" population variety in Houxiling Village, Chongru Township, Xiapu County. It is cultivated in the tea-growing regions of Fujian and eastern Zhejiang. Variety characteristics: shrub-type, medium leaf size. The plant is of medium size, with a semi-spreading tree posture, relatively dense branching, and leaves that grow horizontally. The leaves are long elliptical, green in color with a glossy sheen, slightly raised on the surface, with wavy margins, flat leaf blades, acuminate leaf tips, blunt, shallow, and dense leaf teeth, and a moderately thick and soft leaf texture. The buds and leaves are yellowish-green with moderate fuzz, and the weight of 100 one-bud-three-leaf shoots is 41 grams. The flower corolla has a diameter of 3.7 cm, 7 petals, medium fuzz on the ovary, and a three-lobed style.

　　Xiapu County is located in the central part of China's coastline, in the northeastern part of Fujian Province. It borders the East China Sea to the east, Fu'an to the west, Fuding and Zhengrong to the north, and faces Ningde, Luoyuan, and Lianjiang across the sea to the southwest. It lies between 26°25′–27°9′ north latitude and 119°46′–120°26′ east longitude, approximately 160 kilometers both north of Wenzhou and south of Fuzhou. The region enjoys a mid-subtropical maritime climate, characterized by warm and humid weather, no severe summer heat, and no extreme winter cold. The average annual temperature ranges from 16°C to 19°C, with annual rainfall between 1100 mm and 1800 mm. The area is rich in water, heat, and light resources. These climatic conditions are highly suitable for tea tree growth, providing high-quality fresh leaves for the processing of "Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea" and contributing to its unique quality characteristics. Meanwhile, Xiapu’s superior natural environment also creates favorable conditions for the tea’s quality.

　　Xiapu has a long history and a long coastline, serving as a vital maritime route between Fujian and Zhejiang. As early as the Neolithic period, ancient Yue people lived and labored here. During the Three Kingdoms period, the Wu Kingdom established the Wenma Ship Settlement here. In the third year of the Taikang era of the Jin Dynasty (282 AD), the Wenma County was first established. Over the 600-plus years from the Jin to the Tang dynasties, the ancestors of Xiapu, taking advantage of the convenient maritime transport, introduced tea production techniques, cleared land to grow tea, processed and consumed tea, and developed the tea industry, making it one of the main tea-producing areas in the Fuzhou region during the Tang Dynasty. "Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea" is crafted through traditional techniques under the influence of Xiapu’s unique climate and soil conditions. It is one of Fujian’s famous teas, known for its high aroma, mellow taste, freshness, and thirst-quenching qualities. It holds an important place in the history of tea development in eastern Fujian. Through long-term practical work, the local people have explored and created a set of manual processing procedures suited to the local tea industry: fresh leaf picking – withering – fixation – shaping and pressing – final firing, resulting in the renowned "Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea" in the surrounding regions. After the reform and opening-up in the last century, local tea technicians, while inheriting the traditional manual processing techniques of this historic local tea, improved local tea varieties through selection and breeding, introduced modern green tea processing machinery, altered production methods, moved beyond the limitations of manual tea-making, and vigorously promoted mechanized tea processing. This led to a significant increase in tea yield, not only preserving the unique quality features of the historic local tea but also greatly enhancing its appearance and overall quality. As a result, today’s renowned Fujian tea specialty — "Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea" — was formed.

　　Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea

　　 Xiapu County Tea Association

　　 10430783

　　 Tea