Emerging Green Tea

Emerging Green Tea

　　According to historical records, the ancient Xinzhou region was characterized by high mountains, dense forests, fertile soil, and high air humidity—ideal conditions for tea cultivation. Among the green teas of Xinxing, the finest include Tianlu Mountain Tea, Longshan Tea, and Hepu Red Plum Tea. Among these, Tianlu Mountain Tea boasts a delicious flavor and fragrant aroma that rivals even Longjing. Longshan Tea, on the other hand, is produced in Longshan and was traditionally harvested by monks in spring for offering to the Buddha. Its taste is long-lasting and exceptionally pure. Meanwhile, as Xinxing County gradually introduced varieties of Yunnan large-leaf tea, years of cultivation led to the creation of many renowned new tea brands. Today, the two major tea brands of Lidong Tianlu Mountain Tea and Gongcheng Xiangwo Tea thrive in the Xinxing green tea scene, celebrated for their abundant yield and high quality, and beloved by tea enthusiasts.

　　In addition, there are two lesser-known but excellent teas in Xinxing County: Gongcheng Shuiyuan Mountain Tea and Shenshan Tian Baihao Tea. Both are native wild mountain teas. Among them, Gongcheng Shuiyuan Mountain Tea is cultivated from cuttings taken from towering tea trees several hundred years old and has now expanded to dozens of acres. Despite being cultivated, the tea retains a wild-like flavor and texture due to rough farming practices. According to villagers, if this tea is dried inside pomelo peel and stored for a year or so, it can be used medicinally, particularly effective for treating feverish conditions when brewed. This has earned Shuiyuan Mountain Tea the elegant nickname “Shuiyuan Immortal Tea.” As for Shenshan Tian Baihao Tea, it is an outstanding native tea variety in the county. The original wild Baihao tea tree grows in the mixed forest on the mountainside of Shiyang Mountain. This native tea tree stands about ten meters tall, with a trunk too thick for one person to hug. Historical records indicate that Baihao Tea is a sexually propagated large-leaf variety, classified as a Mesozoic small arbor originating from the Cretaceous period. Its young leaves resemble silver needles, while mature leaves are long and pointed like longan leaves, with white downy fuzz on the undersides—hence the names Bai Mao Tea or Baihao Tea. These are all wild varieties and extremely precious.