"Insect Tea" from Sidonggou

"Insect Tea" from Sidonggou

　　A specialty of Chishui, this is a premium tea that is rare on the market and quite expensive. Only a small amount is sold in the Sidonggou scenic area, with most kept by local families to serve to guests. It is made by picking the tender leaves of wild white tea, fermenting them, and attracting a type of insect called the "Chinese tallow moth." The larvae feed on the fermented leaves and excrete tiny pellets smaller than rapeseed. People collect the droppings, dry them, and process them into insect tea. Rich in nutrients, the tea has a delicious taste and a refreshing effect. It also offers medicinal benefits such as refreshing the mind, helping to sober up, detoxifying, clearing heat, and lowering blood pressure.