Wufeng Yihong Black Tea

Wufeng Yihong Black Tea

Wufeng Yihong Black Tea is a product with geographical indication status.

　　In the early 18th century, British merchants established tea houses in Wufeng. To this day, the golden signboard of “British Firm Bao Shun He” remains preserved at the headquarters of Hubei Caihua Tea Industry Company. According to local county records, in the fourth year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1824), Cantonese tea merchants such as Jun Dafu and Lin Zichen, along with skilled workers from Jiangxi, came to Yuyangguan in Wufeng to teach the techniques of harvesting and processing black tea, and set up tea houses to purchase and refine black tea, which was then transported to Wuhan and shipped to Guangzhou for export. Around 1886, Yihong Black Tea exports reached their peak, with an annual output of approximately 150,000 dan (a traditional unit of weight). By the early years of the Republic of China, Yuyangguan Town in our county had become the most famous black tea market in western Hubei. Before the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the town had over 10 exclusive shops dealing in Yihong Black Tea. Due to its bustling trade and gathering of merchants, it was known as the “Little Hankou.” From 1917 to 1937, 90,070 cases (each case weighing 12.5 kilograms) of black tea were exported from Wufeng via the ports of Shanghai and Guangzhou. In 1938, the National Trade Commission established the “Wufeng Refining Factory of China Tea Company” in Wangjiachong, Yuyangguan, for refining black tea and processing brick tea. After the liberation, Wufeng Yihong Black Tea experienced rapid development. In 1973, the “Wufeng Refining Factory” was built in Yuyangguan, focusing mainly on refining export-quality black tea. In 1986, Yihong Gongfu Black Tea was awarded the Provincial Government Quality Product Prize. In recent years, efforts have been made to restore and develop Wufeng Yihong Black Tea, accelerating the upgrading and improvement of the tea industry.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Wufeng Yihong Black Tea is produced in eight townships under the jurisdiction of Wufeng Tujia Autonomous County, Hubei Province: Caihua Township, Wufeng Town, Yuyangguan Town, Changleping Town, Renheping Town, Wantan Town, Fujiajian Township, and Niuzhuang Township. The region spans longitude 110°15′ to 111°25′ east and latitude 29°56′ to 30°25′ north. It borders Yidu and Songzi to the east, Hefeng and Badong to the west, Shimen in Hunan to the south, and Changyang to the north, and is part of the Wuling Mountain range. The county covers a total area of 2,372 square kilometers, comprising 5 towns and 3 townships, with 16,000 hectares suitable for planting Wufeng Yihong Black Tea.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Wufeng Yihong Black Tea has tightly twisted strips with visible golden tips and a dark, glossy appearance. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: The tea boasts a sweet, pure, and long-lasting aroma, a mellow and refreshing taste, bright red liquor, and soft, bright red leaves. When the tea cools slightly, it exhibits the “tea creaming” phenomenon. Dry tea contains ≤6.5% moisture, ≤6.5% ash, and ≥32% water extract. Sanitary indicators and pesticide residues meet relevant national standards. 3. Quality and Safety Regulations: The production environment of Wufeng Yihong Black Tea complies with the requirements of the “Pollution-Free Tea Plantation Environmental Conditions” (NY/T5010). Quality strictly adheres to the “Pollution-Free Tea” standard NY5089-2005. During production, agricultural inputs are used rationally, and the use of highly toxic pesticides banned by the state is strictly prohibited. The use of pesticides and fertilizers must comply with the “Pollution-Free Fertilizer Application Guidelines” (NT/T5017-2001) and the “Pollution-Free Pesticide Application Guidelines” (NY/T5018-2001). A strict pesticide safety interval is enforced, and products can only be marketed after passing pesticide residue testing.