Huangmei Zen Tea

Huangmei Zen Tea

Huangmei Zen Tea is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Huangmei Zen Tea is produced in the Ziyun Mountains, shrouded in misty seas and cascading clouds, north of the Fourth Ancestor Temple and Fifth Ancestor Temple. Huangmei has been regarded as a “Little India” since early Tang Dynasty, a sacred destination for Buddhist pilgrims and scholars from China and East Asia. It is also the site of the Laozu Temple, established by the ancient Indian monk Baozhang, who lived over a thousand years ago. The area features towering peaks, lush pines and bamboos, beautiful mountains and clear waters, and fresh air. Its tea plantations are all located deep in the clouds at elevations of 800 to over 1,200 meters, making it an important production site for tribute teas and Zen teas throughout history. In 747 AD, Lu Yu, the Tea Sage of the mid-Tang Dynasty, personally visited the Huangmei Zen Tea producing areas to study local tea practices and customs, which he documented in his famous work, Cha Jing (The Classic of Tea), Chapter 8: “Regions of Production”: “Qizhou tea is produced in the valleys of Huangmei.” Huangmei tea is known for its superior quality, rich flavor, and mellow aroma, making it an essential beverage for Zen masters during meditation and for hosting guests. As the tea originated from the mountain-grown teas picked and brewed by Zen practitioners in the ancient Laozu, Fourth Ancestor, and Fifth Ancestor Temples, it came to be known as “Huangmei Zen Tea.”

Today, with the care and support of Venerable Jinghui, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and Abbot of the Fourth Ancestor Temple in Huangmei, the Dabie Mountains Ziyun Pine Needle Tea Company in Huangmei County, under the leadership of General Manager Zhan Rusong, utilizes modern high-tech processing techniques. With the expert craftsmanship of tea specialists and master tea makers, they produce the premium tea — Ziyun Pine Needle — Huangmei Zen Tea. This tea is characterized by its tightly rolled, slender, and uniformly elegant leaves; visible white tips; tender green and glossy color; rich, lasting fragrance; fresh and refreshing taste; bright liquor; soft and juicy leaves that can withstand multiple infusions. It offers an unforgettable aftertaste. The product sells well both domestically and internationally and is a highly popular and well-praised brand of green tea. With the restoration of the historic Laozu Temple, Huangmei Zen Tea is expected to embrace even broader prospects for growth.

　　Huangmei Zen Tea

　　The administrative regions currently under the jurisdiction of seven towns and management offices in Huangmei County, Hubei Province: Wuzu Town, Dahe Town, Tingqian Town, Liulin Township, Shanmu Township, Kuzhu Township, and Nuobuyuan Management Office

　　Letter from the People’s Government of Huangmei County, Hubei Province, “Regarding the Application to Define the Protected Geographical Indication Product Range of Huangmei Zen Tea,” Mei Zheng Han [2012] No. 28; Huangmei County Local Standard: DB421127/T002-2012 “Huangmei Zen Tea”