Yichang Black Tea

Yichang Black Tea

Yichang Black Tea is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　According to records, Yichang black tea was first produced in the mid-19th century and has a history of over 100 years. During the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, Guangdong merchant Jun Dafu introduced black tea processing techniques in Yuyangguan, Wufeng, where he set up a tea house to purchase and refine black tea, which was then transported to Hankou and later shipped to Guangzhou for export. In the Jia Chen year of the Xianfeng era (1854 AD), Gao Bingsan, and later in the Bing Zi year of the Guangxu era (1876 AD), Lin Zichen and other Cantonese tea merchants began producing black tea in Hefeng County, refining it in areas such as Wuliping, and shipping it from Yuyangguan to Hankou for export. The tea was “hailed as high-quality” by foreigners. At that time, Yuyangguan quickly became a renowned black tea market in western Hubei. Aside from establishing the Yichang black tea market in western Hubei, many Cantonese merchants also flocked to Yangloudong in southern Hubei to produce black tea. By 1840, there were over 50 black tea houses in Yangloudong, producing 100,000 boxes—or more than 50,000 dan—of black tea per year.

In 1850, Russian merchants began purchasing tea in Hankou, and Hankou started exporting tea independently. In 1861, Hankou was designated as a treaty port, and the British soon established foreign trading firms to purchase large quantities of black tea. Due to transportation logistics, the black tea shipped from Yichang to Hankou for export was named “Yichang Black Tea,” from which the name “Yihong” (Yi for Yichang, Hong for black tea) originated. Yihong was resold by the British to Western Europe, and later American and German merchants also purchased it occasionally, leading to substantial growth in Yihong production. In 1888, the export volume through the Hankou port reached 860,000 dan, accounting for 40% of the national tea exports at the time, with black tea being the majority. In September 1876, Yichang was designated as an open trading port, and Yihong exports surged. Around 1886, Yihong exports reached their peak, with an output of approximately 150,000 dan.

　　Yichang black tea features tightly rolled leaves with fine tips, a dark and glossy color, a sweet and pure aroma, a bright red liquor, a fresh and mellow taste, and a bright reddish leaf base. High-grade tea may also exhibit a “creaming down” effect when cooled. According to the Hubei Provincial Gazetteer 《Cili Guozhi》, “The Hefeng variety is a top-grade product, ranking alongside Ningdu as one of the finest, famous both at home and abroad.” This shows that Yichang black tea enjoyed a high reputation in the international market early on.