Tianmu Lake White Tea

Tianmu Lake White Tea

Tianmu Lake White Tea is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Liyang City in Jiangsu Province has a long history of tea production and is known as the "Hometown of Tea." In 1999, the city introduced white tea and created its own brand — Tianmu Lake White Tea.

　　The Lijiayuan Tea Farm in Liyang City, Jiangsu Province, is located in the mountainous bamboo sea at the junction of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces, next to the Nanshan Bamboo Sea in the Tianmu Lake tourist area. It is situated in the hilly region on the northern edge of the central subtropical zone, featuring a warm climate, abundant rainfall, ample sunshine, distinct seasons, and no pollution. The farm is the largest village-level collective tea farm in Jiangsu Province, with a tea plantation area of 933 mu, including 200 mu of clonal improved tea varieties, 200 mu of premium white tea, and 200 mu of premium yellow tea. The tea processing factory is equipped with four advanced production lines for famous teas, black broken tea, and Japanese steamed green tea, with fixed assets worth over 2.5 million yuan. The Lijiayuan Tea Farm produces more than 100 tons of various grades of tea annually, including over 15 tons of premium and special teas, and exports more than 5 tons of steamed green tea, generating an annual output value of over 4 million yuan. The farm pays over a million yuan in taxes and retained earnings each year. In recent years, 200 mu of Tianmu Lake White Tea and 200 mu of yellow tea have been introduced, both rare and precious varieties. Among them, the yellow tea is the first and only variety introduced in the city. The resulting tea boasts exceptionally high aroma, clear and mellow liquor, and a sweet aftertaste, making it a true gem among teas. Under the guidance of Mr. Zhang Zhicheng, a veteran in Jiangsu’s tea industry, the Lijiayuan Tea Farm successfully developed the famous tea — Nanshan Shoumei — in 1986. This tea won the title of "National Famous Tea" at the 1989 National Famous Tea Evaluation Conference. In 1993, it claimed the Special Prize of the "China Tea Cup" at the China Tea Society's Famous Tea Competition. Starting from 1993, it consecutively won the Special Prize of the "Lu Yu Cup" in four consecutive Jiangsu Provincial Famous and Special Teas Evaluations. In 2003, it was certified as a "Pollution-Free" Agricultural Product; in 2004, it was included in the "China Famous Teas Chronicle"; and in 2005, it was selected as the designated tea for the "9th Liyang Tea Festival and the 1st Tianmu Lake Tourism Festival" in China.

　　Brand History

　　Liyang City has a long history of tea production and is known as the "Hometown of Tea." In 1999, the city introduced white tea and created its own brand — Tianmu Lake White Tea. Tianmu Lake White Tea contains 6.25–9% amino acids, more than twice that of ordinary tea, and 10.7% tea polyphenols, half that of regular tea. Its shape resembles phoenix feathers, and its color is like jade frost, giving it a unique quality. Once brewed, it emits a rich aroma, offers a fresh, sweet, and mellow taste, and presents a bright, goose-yellow liquor. Tianmu Lake White Tea also offers functions such as anti-radiation, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, blood pressure reduction, blood lipid reduction, and blood sugar reduction. It is highly favored by consumers and enjoys strong market demand.

　　Honors and Awards

　　With its excellent quality, Tianmu Lake White Tea won the Shanghai International Tea Culture Gold Award in 2004 and 2005, the First Prize of the Jiangsu Province Lu Yu Cup, and was recognized as a Famous and High-Quality Agricultural Product of Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province. In 2007, it was awarded the First Place Special Prize of the "China Tea Cup." It was also selected as the designated tea for the 1st Tianmu Lake Tourism Festival. In the same year, it was chosen as the special tea supplied to the Great Hall of the People. On the eve of the opening of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Tianmu Lake White Tea from the shores of Tianmu Lake in Liyang, China, showcased its excellence by ranking among the Top Ten Famous Teas of the Shanghai World Expo and becoming the official tea of the United Nations Pavilion at the Expo.

　　Tianmu Lake White Tea is produced in Liyang City’s Licheng Town, Tianmu Lake Town, Daibu Town, Shanghuang Town, Shezhu Town, Shangxing Town, Zhuzhe Town, and Nandu Town, covering a total area of approximately 1,400 square kilometers. Liyang City is located at the junction of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces in the Yangtze River Delta, between 119°08′–119°63′ east longitude and 31°09′–31°41′ north latitude. It borders Yixing of Wuxi City to the east, Gaochun and Lishui of Nanjing City to the west, Guangde and Langxi of Anhui Province to the south, and Jurong of Zhenjiang City, as well as Jintan of Changzhou City, to the north. The city stretches 59.06 km from north to south and 45.14 km from east to west, covering a total area of 1,535.87 square kilometers. The production area of Tianmu Lake White Tea spans 1,000 hectares, with an annual output of 60 tons.