Shiqian Moss Tea

Shiqian Moss Tea

Shiqian Moss Tea is a product protected under a geographical indication.

Shiqian Moss Tea is a certified geographical indication trademark.

Shiqian Moss Tea is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Shiqian Moss Tea is a local tea variety developed through long-term cultivation and selection by local ethnic tea farmers in Shiqian County, Guizhou Province, China. Its parent tree belongs to the ancient tea tree series.

　　Shiqian County is located in the northeastern part of Guizhou and the southwestern part of the Tongren region. The climate is mild and humid, with no large-scale industrial pollution sources in or around the area, preserving a rare subtropical native ecosystem. Shiqian Moss Tea has been cultivated in such an exceptionally favorable environment and within Shiqian’s long-standing tea culture.

　　Characteristics: Shiqian Moss Tea is one of China’s top-tier tea plant varieties. It surpasses other varieties from outside the region in terms of stress resistance, adaptability, yield, and quality. It boasts a lasting chestnut aroma, mellow taste, vibrant green color, bright yellow-green liquor, and fresh, even leaf bottoms. According to tests by the Ministry of Agriculture, this tea's hygiene indicators for pathogenic bacteria, heavy metals, and pesticide residues are all lower than EU and Japanese standards. It is rich in aromatic compounds and contains beneficial elements such as zinc, selenium, and potassium.

　　Current Status: The China Tea Marketing Association has awarded it the title “Hometown of Chinese Moss Tea.” It has won numerous gold awards at both national and provincial levels, enjoying extremely high domestic acclaim. In contrast, its market recognition remains very low. Currently, the tea plantation area in Shiqian County has reached 158,000 mu, with plans to expand to 300,000 mu by 2011.

　　The geographical indication protection area for Shiqian Moss Tea covers the entire administrative region of Shiqian County, Guizhou Province.

　　Region: Guizhou

　　Applicant: Shiqian County Tea Industry Association

　　Year: 2014

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographic area for Shiqian Moss Tea includes 18 towns and townships: Longtang Town, Longjing Township, Baisha Town, Jufeng Township, Benzhong Town, Heba Township, Dashaba Township, Pingdichang Township, Huaqiao Town, Shigu Township, Qingyang Township, Wude Town, Fengxiang Township, Pingshan Township, Zhongba Town, Ganci Township, Guorong Township, and Tangshan Town. The geographical coordinates are: longitude 107°44′55″–108°33′47″, latitude 27°17′5″–27°42′50″, covering an area of 2,173 square kilometers. The planted area of Shiqian Moss Tea is 350,000 mu, with an annual output of 8,768 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　External Sensory Characteristics: A flat-shaped green tea with naturally bud-like, slightly flat leaves that have fine hairs, a green and glossy appearance, and uniform shape. The liquor is yellow-green and bright, with a delicate fragrance. The taste is fresh and brisk, and the leaf bottoms are intact, tender, and even. Internal Quality Indicators: According to analysis by the Guizhou Provincial Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Testing Center, Shiqian Moss Tea is highly nutritious. It contains 20–26% tea polyphenols, 4.5–6.0% caffeine, 2.0–2.5 (g/100g) theanine, 0.28–0.40 (g/100g) glutamic acid, 0.05–0.10 (g/100g) tyrosine, 0.18–0.3 (g/100g) arginine, and 0.5–1.0 (g/100g) asparagine, among others. The production of Shiqian Moss Tea strictly follows the technical regulations of Guizhou Province’s tea standards and the comprehensive tea standard system of Shiqian County.