Fengjia Rice Tea

Fengjia Rice Tea

　　    During the Five Dynasties period, Mao Wentong's *Tea Manual* recorded: “Between Tan and Shao, there is the Qu River, where tea grows amid many venomous snakes and fierce beasts. The locals harvest no more than sixteen or seventeen pounds a year. Its color is like iron, yet it boasts an extraordinary fragrance, and when brewed, it leaves no residue.” The Qu River originates from Fengjia Mountain in Xinhua, flows through Xinhua, Xupu, Anhua, and other areas before joining the Zi River to the north. The Fengjia Mountain area, with an elevation of over 800 meters, features towering, rugged peaks, enveloping clouds and mist, abundant rainfall, murmuring streams, and fertile soil — making it a natural haven for growing tea.

　　    Fengjia Rice Tea buds and leaves are tender, with a rich aroma and particularly high levels of amino acids and catechins. Locals say, “If you drink Rice Tea every day, your eyes will stay bright, your mind sharp, and your life long.” During the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was listed as a tribute to the imperial court, used to offset “grain taxes.” Starting in 1982, the regional tea association and the Science and Technology Commission organized experts and technicians in the tea industry to build upon traditional techniques while drawing on the picking experience and processing methods of various famous teas. In 1986, they successfully transformed Fengjia Rice Tea into a new, beautifully shaped and high-quality famous tea — Moon Sprout Tea.