Partridge Tea

Partridge Tea

　　Partridge Tea

　　Partridge Tea — It is said that in ancient times, people living where partridge tea grew would simply pick the leaves while going up the mountain to brew tea. Later, a legend from Wanning tells of a farmer who kept a beloved hill partridge. When the bird fell ill, the farmer trekked over the mountains to Dongshan Ridge to pick partridge tea leaves, which he steeped in hot water for the bird. A few days later, the bird not only recovered but lived for a long time. Since then, people have recognized the tea’s health benefits and named it “Partridge Tea.”

　　Partridge Tea

　　Also known as partridge leaf, wild bitter tea, hairy tea, or grain tea, it is a wild shrub that thrives in dry, harsh conditions and prefers to grow in the crevices of rocks on barren hills and mountains. It is mainly produced on Dongshan Ridge in Wanning. The round-tasting leaves are sweet in flavor, making it a unique type of wild tea. The tea plant can grow up to 1–3 meters tall, and even as tall as 10 meters. Its leaves are alternate, except for those near the upper part of the branches which are opposite; they are broadly ovate, measuring 5–15 cm in length, with pointed tips, entire wavy margins, a few translucent veins on the underside, and pinnate leaf veins. The petioles are 1–3 cm long.

　　Partridge Tea

　　It is a type of tea from Hainan Province made by air-drying wild tree leaves. Without going through traditional processing methods such as pan-firing, the brewed tea has a fragrant aroma mixed with a distinctive plant-like taste, and a pleasant mouthfeel. Partridge Tea tastes mellow and refreshing, with a pleasant herbal fragrance. It is known to have benefits such as clearing heat and toxins, quenching thirst, aiding digestion and improving gallbladder function, lowering blood pressure, reducing weight, strengthening the spleen, and nourishing the stomach. It may also help prevent colds and has been praised by poets and scholars throughout history as the “Ginseng of Herbs.” The tea boasts a strong aroma, produces a clear infusion, and leaves a sweet aftertaste with endless lingering fragrance. It is an ideal health beverage for cutting grease and aiding digestion. The famous Chinese poet and playwright Tian Han once wrote while visiting Dongshan Ridge: “Fat sheep love the divine herb; good tea pairs with famous springs.” Wanning goat meat is known to be rich yet not gamey, and is one of Hainan’s Four Famous Dishes. It is said that this quality is related to the goats that roam freely on Dongshan Ridge and love to eat partridge tea.

　　Today, Hainan Partridge Tea has become a local specialty travel product with rich regional character, highly popular among travelers from around the world visiting Hainan Island.