Xiushui Xiangliao Tea

Xiushui Xiangliao Tea

　　    People in Xiushui love drinking tea, especially Xiangliao Tea. The main feature that distinguishes Xiushui Xiangliao Tea from teas in other regions is the use of condiments in the tea, which is why drinking tea is referred to as "eating tea" here. In Xiushui, any tea made with only tea leaves or chrysanthemums is called "white water tea," while tea with added condiments is called "Xiangliao Tea." Xiangliao Tea also shows regional characteristics and can be divided into Renxiang Tea, Fengxiang Tea, Taixiang Tea, and the county town’s “Ten Treasures Tea,” among others.

　　         Renxiang Tea is represented by Daqiao Tea. In addition to tea leaves, the usual ingredients include chrysanthemums, soybeans, and sesame seeds. Because its ingredients are relatively simple and common, it is widely popular. Its characteristics are a light and elegant color, along with a fragrant and delicious taste.

　　         Fengxiang Tea is represented by Shangfeng Tea. On top of the ingredients used in Renxiang Tea, this tea also includes diced radish, giving it a fragrant and rich taste with a bit of chewiness.

　　    Taixiang Tea is represented by Sandu Tea. Compared to the above two types, this tea has even more distinctive features. It usually uses puffed rice (the character “爆” is pronounced “bàng” in the Xiushui dialect, meaning rice that has been roasted over fire; the same applies below) as the main tea ingredient, hence it is also called “Puffed Rice Tea.” There is also Wheat Tea, which uses tender wheat as the main ingredient, and “Bao Lu Tea,” which uses tender corn as the main ingredient. The characteristic of Taixiang Tea is its fragrant and delicious taste. Especially during work breaks, it quenches thirst and fills the stomach, making it very popular.

　　     The county town’s “Ten Treasures Tea” is the most diverse and richly ingredients-based Xiangliao Tea. Its ingredients gather the best from all regional areas, often combining around eight or ten different kinds, hence the name “Ten Treasures Tea.” The main ingredients include tea leaves, chrysanthemums, soybeans, sesame seeds, peanuts, tangerine peel, ginger, diced radish, Sichuan pepper, osmanthus, and tea ligusticum. Of course, Ten Treasures Tea does not necessarily use all ten ingredients at once; it simply has more refined and varied ingredients compared to other teas. Due to the rich variety of ingredients in the county’s Ten Treasures Tea, many people in rural areas across the county also enjoy brewing it. Ten Treasures Tea is colorful, tastes mellow and soothing, leaves a long-lasting aftertaste, and offers nutritional and medicinal benefits. Chrysanthemums clear the heart and improve vision, ginger warms the middle and boosts qi, tea leaves refresh and invigorate the brain, Sichuan pepper removes dampness and prevents colds, tangerine peel resolves phlegm and calms coughs, peanuts and sesame nourish the lungs, soybeans and mung beans detoxify, diced radish relieves depression and regulates qi, tea ligusticum purifies blood and dispels wind. Drinking it regularly can strengthen the body and promote metabolism.