Yishui Green Tea

Yishui Green Tea

Yishui Green Tea is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　 Yishui Green Tea is an agricultural product processed by the Yishui County Highland Tea Industry Cooperative, relying on the processing capabilities of Shandong Mengshan Longwu Tea Co., Ltd. The Yishui Green Tea base is the northernmost green tea production base in China and produces high-mountain green tea known for its excellent quality, rich in amino acids and tea polyphenols.

　　 Planting Area

　　 Located in Yuandongtou Township, an inland mountainous region of Shandong Province, it is the largest green tea producing area in Yishui County. Here grow over 2,000 acres of tea gardens left from the “South Tea to North” initiative during the 1950s and 1960s. Due to the area’s location in mountainous regions at 36 degrees north latitude, it belongs to a high-latitude inland mountain tea zone. The diurnal temperature variation and sunlight exposure here are significantly higher than in other tea-producing areas of the province. As a result, the produced green tea has excellent internal quality, high aroma, and strong endurance to brewing, making it very popular among consumers. Moreover, the Yuandongtou Township area is surrounded by mountains and features a high forest coverage rate, creating a unique microclimate. It is less affected by late spring cold snaps, and the spring temperature rebounds noticeably earlier than in surrounding areas. In addition, most local tea gardens are situated on sunny terraced slopes, enjoying abundant sunlight. Based on years of harvesting experience, the natural spring tea here can be picked about half a month earlier than in other areas of the province. Thanks to natural growth conditions, the tea leaves are of high quality.

　　 Geographical Indication for Agricultural Products

　　 In 2009, Yishui Green Tea was recognized by experts responsible for the review and evaluation of geographical indication registration of agricultural products under the Ministry of Agriculture's Quality and Safety Center for Agricultural Products, and was confirmed as a geographical indication product.

　　 Yishui Green Tea is produced in Yuandongtou Township, Gaozhuang Town, Xiawei Town, Quanzhuang Township, Cuijiayu Town, Huangshangpu Town, YaoDianzi Town, Xujiahu Town, Sishili Pu Town, Longjiaquan Township, Zhuge Town, Yishui Town, Daotuo Township, Gaoqiao Town, Shagou Town, Quanli Township, Mazhan Town, Yangzhuang Town, and Fuguangzhuang Township within Yishui County, under the jurisdiction of Linyi City, Shandong Province, covering a total area of approximately 2,434.8 square kilometers. Yishui County is located in the southeastern part of Shandong Province, with geographical coordinates between 118°13′–119°03′ east longitude and 35°36′–36°03′ north latitude. It lies in the northernmost part of Linyi City, bordered by Mount Yi to the north, Mount Meng — the second highest mountain in Shandong — to the west, and facing Rizhao City to the east. The production area spans 1,000 hectares, yielding 400 tons of high-quality green tea annually.