Bashan Tea

Bashan Tea

　　Bashan Mountain is situated in the central section of the Lianhua Mountain Range, at the junction of Fengshun, Jieyang, and Wuhua counties. It spans 192 square kilometers, with an average elevation of over 700 meters, an average annual temperature of 18°C, and an average annual rainfall of 2,604.6 millimeters. Shrouded in clouds and mist throughout the year, it lies within the South Asian tropical humid monsoon climate zone. The mountain slopes have deep soil layers with fertile topsoil, classified as lateritic red earth, and boast good natural vegetation—offering ideal conditions for tea cultivation. According to the Haifeng County Annals, tea has been grown in Bashan for over 400 years and is well known for the saying “fine tea comes from high mountains and thick fog.” The tea in Bashan Mountain is planted in rocky soil and requires no fertilizers or pesticides. Like all other plants in the mountains, the tea trees grow naturally, drawing vitality from the surroundings. Unlike ordinary tea, cloud-and-mist tea appears especially clear when brewed, tastes cool and mellow in the mouth, and leaves a lingering aftertaste. Local elders say that cloud-and-mist tea not only quenches thirst but also helps ward off colds and relieve hangovers.

　　There are also several folk legends about cloud-and-mist tea in Bashan. In ancient times, when tea seeds in the southern lands ripened, a flock of affectionate birds each carried a seed, flying through the clouds and across the blue sky, on their way to Flower-Fruit Mountain to sow them. As they flew over Bashan Mountain, they were so captivated by its beautiful scenery that they couldn’t help but sing cheerful songs, causing the tea seeds to scatter into the crevices of the rocks. Since then, lush green tea trees have grown on the misty Bashan Mountain. Another legend tells of an ancient time when a huge rock spirit on the high mountains of Bashan descended into the village to harm the people, angering the heavens. It was struck in half by thunder, and soon after, tender green tea trees were found growing in the cracks of the rock. Since then, generations of villagers have continued to cultivate tea.

　　Traditional Bashan green tea has earned a certain reputation both domestically and abroad for its rich flavor, mellow taste, and fragrant aroma. Since 1985, high-yield tea varieties such as Huangdan, Minghua, Shuixian, Qilan, and Meizhan have been introduced one after another. Cultivation methods have evolved from planting on large mountain slopes to terraced fields and furrows; from letting the tea grow wildly to pruning and fostering canopy growth, reasonable dense planting, and fast, high-yield production; from extensive and crude management to scientific cultivation; and from solely hand-firing tea to modern mechanical oolong baking techniques—resulting in a tremendous increase in yield. In 1992, the high-quality Baiye Dancong variety was introduced. Thanks to the region’s unique climate and soil, along with proper fertilization, harvesting, and refined modern processing techniques, “Bashan Baiye Dancong” has become a premium-grade tea. In 1998, it was even awarded the title of “China International Famous Tea” by the National Ministry of Agriculture. The town now has 20,000 mu of tea plantations, of which 10,000 mu are in production, yielding over 1.5 million jin of dried tea annually. The tea can be harvested more than five times a year, with an average yield of over 150 jin of dried tea per mu. Led by the Bashan Hongtu Green Tea Co., Ltd., the industry has developed under a “company + base + farmer” model. The product is in high demand and has become a signature pillar industry.