Yangtian Xuelv

Yangtian Xuelv

　　Yangtian Xuelv is a specialty of Gushi County, Xinyang City, Henan Province. It is produced at the Yangtianwa Tea Plantation in Gushi County, Henan. Quality characteristics: flat and slender strips, elegantly pointed with visible fine hairs, emerald green in color, with a noble and delicate aroma. The liquor is bright tender green, the taste is fresh, brisk, and mellow, and the leaves at the bottom are tender and even.

　　The Yangtianwa Tea Plantation is situated on the northern slope of Nainai Hall at the foot of the Dabie Mountains, at an altitude of nearly one thousand meters. It is part of a national-level ecological demonstration zone. As a “Henan Provincial Famous Agricultural Product,” “Top Ten Famous Teas of Henan,” and “Top Ten Tea Brands of Henan,” Yangtian Xuelv currently has 4,500 acres of tea gardens, with an additional 10,000 acres under new development, producing 80 tons of dried tea annually.

　　The picking and processing techniques of Yangtian Xuelv are exquisite. Generally, one bud with one leaf or one bud with two leaves just beginning to unfold is harvested around Guyu (Grain Rain). The fresh leaves must be tender, plump, uniform, clean, and covered with fine hairs. Picking avoids rain-soaked leaves, insect-damaged leaves, opposite leaves, fish leaves, or purple leaves. Harvesting is done in batches and processing is carried out by grade.

　　The processing steps of Yangtian Xuelv are as follows:

　　Withering, fixation, shaping, and drying. After the fresh leaves are picked, they are promptly spread out in bamboo baskets and placed in a cool, ventilated area for about four hours until the leaves soften before being transferred for processing. The processing techniques are meticulous. Throughout the entire production process, freshness, color, and fine hairs are preserved.

　　Fixation: Using an 80 cm cast iron pot, 400 grams of leaves are added per batch, and fixation is performed at a high temperature of 120°C. The tea leaves are grasped with both hands or one hand, the palm is flipped upward, and the fresh leaves are evenly scattered along the inner wall of the pot. The goal is to ensure the leaves are evenly spread and fixed thoroughly.

　　Shaping: Using an 80 cm cast iron pot with a slightly lower temperature of about 80°C. First, continue shaking the leaves using the fixation technique to further reduce moisture, then use both hands to roll the leaves into strips. Hold the leaves in both palms, with one hand moving forward and the other backward, rolling in one direction. The leaves continuously fall from the hands into the pot. Once the leaves begin to take on a strip shape, switch to single-handed tossing. Use the four fingers of the right hand to hold the leaves against the pot wall, lift them to the rim, then grab the leaves and flick them out from the tiger’s mouth, allowing the leaves to fall sequentially along the pot wall. This rolling and tossing alternate until the leaves become straight and slightly flat, about 80% dry and formed, after which they are removed from the pot. After spreading and cooling, they are dried. Drying is done in two stages: initial drying and final drying. After full drying, the leaves are sorted and packaged by grade. The product is divided into first, second, and third grades.

　　In 2000, “Yangtian Xuelv” tea obtained organic certification from the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, covering raw material production, processing, and sales. In 2003, the tea received an import-export enterprise qualification certificate. In 2004, it passed the ISO9001 international quality system certification. In September 2005, it was awarded “Henan Provincial Famous Agricultural Product.” In December 2006, it was recognized as a “Famous Trademark of Henan Province.” In March 2007, it was confirmed as a “Provincial Demonstration Enterprise for Agricultural Product Processing.” In April 2007, it won the “Gold Award” in the World Green Tea Competition (Japan). In August 2007, it was named a “Henan Provincial Honest Private Enterprise.” In November 2007, it received the “Highest Award” in the World Green Tea Competition. Also in November 2007, the China Tea Association designated it as a “Tea Science and Technology Demonstration Base of the China Tea Society.” Yangtian Xuelv has won numerous awards in various Xinyang Tea Festival competitions and is regarded as another rising star in Henan Province following “Xinyang Maojian,” earning consistent praise from authoritative departments and experts.