Wudang Taoist Tea

Wudang Taoist Tea

Wudang Taoist Tea is a product with geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　  Wudang Taoist Tea is produced in the Qinba-Wudang mountainous region of northwestern Hubei, a world-renowned Taoist sacred site, one of China’s major tea origins, and the core water source area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The tea plantations are mainly distributed in the lofty mountains at elevations between 500m and 1000m, featuring a sound ecological environment and superior natural conditions. It has been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture as an advantageous tea-producing region, and is also a famous high-aroma green tea base and organic tea production area in Hubei Province. It has successively won titles such as "Hometown of China’s Eco-Organic Tea" and "Hometown of China’s Taoist Tea Culture," and is a nationally protected product with geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　  Wudang Taoist Tea embodies the spiritual essence of the Taoist immortal mountains, takes advantage of its natural organic qualities, integrates Taoist culture with tea culture, and combines ancient civilization with modern industry. Its product quality is outstanding, and its eco-industry characteristics are distinctive. As early as the Tang and Song dynasties, Wudang Taoist Tea was listed as a tribute to the imperial court. Rooted in nature and carrying forward civilization, Wudang Taoist Tea is distinguished by its three key quality traits—organic, high-aroma, and mellow—and its unique Taoist cultural attributes. It offers tea drinkers a chance to comprehend nature, reflect on life, cultivate the mind, promote health, and enjoy longevity, bringing boundless benefits.

　　  Wudang Taoist Tea is developed by the Wudang Taoist Tea Industry Association of Hubei Province, which brings together leading tea enterprises from the Qinba-Wudang mountainous region. Leveraging the region’s outstanding organic tea ecological environment and integrating it with the profound Taoist culture, the association preserves traditional tea-making techniques while innovating organic production methods. By unifying the city’s tea brands, it jointly develops premium Wudang Taoist Tea series. The main products include over 80 items across six series: organic green tea, organic oolong tea, organic black tea, organic tea food, and tea micro-powder. More than 60 products have won awards at international and domestic agricultural expos multiple times, two products have been named among Hubei’s Top Ten Famous Teas, two have received recognition as Hubei’s Top Ten Cultural Tourism Famous Teas, and four have been awarded the title of Hubei Famous Brand Products. In 2009, "Wudang Taoist Tea" was honored as "Hubei’s No. 1 Cultural Famous Tea."

　　  In recent years, the Shiyang mountainous region has focused on building the "Wudang Taoist Tea" brand, making full use of its ecological and historical-cultural advantages. By integrating resources, innovating mechanisms, relying on technology, and developing comprehensively, the tea industry has shown strong momentum. Currently, the city’s total tea plantation area has reached 500,000 mu, with a comprehensive output value exceeding 2 billion yuan. Wudang Taoist Tea series products are exported to the EU and Southeast Asian markets, and are popular in over a dozen large and medium-sized cities across China. With its significant economic, ecological, and social benefits, Wudang Taoist Tea plays an increasingly prominent role in advancing modern agriculture in mountainous areas, promoting regional economic development, and optimizing the ecological environment of the South-to-North Water Diversion water source area.

　　  Wudang Taoist Tea

　　  Geographical Scope

　　  Shiyan is located in the heart of the Qinba mountainous region along the middle reaches of the Han River in northwestern Hubei. It borders the northern extension of the Qinling Mountains, adjacent to Shangluo in Shaanxi and Nanyang in Henan; to the south are the Daba Mountain range and the Jing Mountains, neighboring Wanzhou in Chongqing; to the west, it connects to Ankang in Shaanxi via the Han River, and to the east, it is bounded by Xiangfan within the province. Wudang Taoist Tea is produced in the counties and districts under the jurisdiction of Shiyan City, including Zhuxi County, Zhushan County, the Wudang Mountain Tourism Economic Special Zone, Fang County, Yun County, Yunxi County, Danjiangkou City, Zhangwan District, and Maojian District. The production area spans between 109°29′ and 111°34′ east longitude, and 31°31′ and 33°16′ north latitude. It covers a total of nine counties (districts/cities), 104 townships, with a total production area of 30,000 hectares, an output of 10,000 tons, and a value of nearly 1 billion yuan. The core production area of Wudang Taoist Tea includes Zhuxi County (Jiangjiayan Town, Zhongfeng Town, Huiwan Township, Eping Township, Tianbao Township, Longba Township, Bingying Township, Xinzhou Township, Xiangba Township, Chengguan Town, Shuiping Town, Xianhe Town), Zhushan County (Zhuping Township, Qingu Ancient Town, Desheng Town, Baofeng Town, Leigu Town, Wenfeng Township, Chengguan Town, Shenhe Township, Shuangtai Township, Tianjiaba Town), Langhe Town in Danjiangkou City, and the Wudang Mountain Tourism Economic Special Zone, totaling four counties (districts/cities), 23 townships, covering an area of 22,000 hectares. The radiation demonstration area includes Fang County (JunDian Town, Qingfeng Town, Baihe Township, Tucheng Town, Menggu Town, YaoHuai Township, Damu Town, Hongta Township, Zhongba Township), Yun County (Tanjiawan Town, Qingshan Town, Baishang Town, Wufeng Township, Yeda Township, Nanhuatang Town), Yunxi County (Anjia Township, Ma’an Township), Danjiangkou City (Niuriver Township, Tuguan’ya Town), Zhangwan District (Bailin Town, Xigou Township), and Maojian District (Dachuan Town), covering six counties (districts/cities), 23 townships, spanning an area of 8,000 hectares.

　　  Product Quality Characteristics

　　  1. External Sensory Characteristics: Wudang Taoist Tea has a long history, with ancient tribute teas such as Meizi Tribute Tea and Taihe Tea. The green tea products feature emerald green color, bright tender green liquor, a high and lasting aroma, a fresh and mellow taste, and bright tender green leaves. They combine high aroma, organic quality, and mellowness. The Gongfu-style Wudang Taoist Tea has a sandy green color, yellowish-green liquor with moderate brightness, a mellow and sweet taste, and leaves that are light yellowish-green with red edges. The aroma is rich and long-lasting. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Free amino acids ≥2.80%, tea polyphenols 20–35%, moisture content ≤6.0%, total ash ≤6.0%, broken tea ≤6.0%, crude fiber ≤13.5%, water extract ≥36.0%. 3. Safety Requirements: Hygiene indicators comply with GB2762 and GB2763, the "New Tea Hygiene Standards."