Suzhou Scented Tea

Suzhou Scented Tea

　　Scented tea is also known as "fragrant tea," "smoked flower tea," or "scented flower tea." China has a long history of producing scented tea. As early as over 700 years ago, Zhao Xihu of the Southern Song Dynasty wrote in *Tiao Xie Lei Pian*: “When various flowers bloom, pick those that are half-open and full of fragrance. Measure the amount of tea leaves, and pick an appropriate amount of flowers to pair with them...” According to the inscriptions on the ancient Temple of the Flower Goddess at the foot of Tiger Hill in Suzhou: Suzhou has a history of producing scented tea for nearly 300 years. Suzhou is one of the four major fragrant flower production areas in China. Thanks to its naturally favorable geographical conditions—such as abundant rainfall year-round and a long frost-free period—as well as the use of greenhouse-potted flowers, the fragrance of these blossoms is even richer and purer. The scented tea produced using these fragrant flowers is of higher quality. Suzhou is one of the main scented tea production areas in China, with its scented tea output accounting for about one-third of the national total. The “Tiger Hill Brand” first-grade jasmine tea produced by the Suzhou Tea Factory was awarded the “National High-Quality Food Silver Award,” while second-grade and third-grade jasmine teas have received honors as high-quality products from the Ministry of Commerce and Jiangsu Province. Jasmine Minghao tea has been recognized as a nationally renowned tea. Products from the Suzhou Tea Factory also include orchid tea and daidai flower tea. (Suzhou)