Huzhou Tea

Huzhou Tea

　　Huzhou is one of China’s ancient tea-producing regions and the birthplace of tea culture. The world’s first monograph on tea—The Classic of Tea (Cha Jing)—was written by Lu Yu during the Tang Dynasty while he lived in seclusion along the Tiaoxi River. Historical records state that tea produced in Wenshan Mountain, located twenty li northwest of Wucheng County (today’s Nanyun Peak south of Qishan, at the border between Baique Township and Qinan Township), was used as imperial tribute and known as "Wenshan Imperial Tea," with a history of over 1,500 years. The Zisun tea from Guzhu Mountain in Changxing was listed as an imperial tribute starting from the Guangde era (763–764 AD) of the Tang Dynasty, holding an extremely important place in the history of Chinese tea. Zisun tea features clean leaves, a green color like lush moss, bud tips resembling blossoms, a richly fragrant aroma, a sweet and mellow taste, refreshing qualities, and leaves that leave a lingering fragrance on the palate. In the fifth year of the Dali era (770 AD), the Huzhou Prefect established a dedicated "Imperial Tea Bureau" beside the Jinsha Spring in Guzhu Mountain to specially produce tribute tea for the royal family. By the 17th year of the Tang Zhenguan era (808 AD), there were over 30 tea production rooms on Guzhu Mountain. During the Huichang era under Emperor Wuzong of Tang, when Zhang Wengui served as Huzhou Prefect, over a thousand tea artisans worked in the Guzhu Valley, with around 30,000 tea-picking laborers employed, often taking months to complete the production. Nearly 20,000 jin (over 10 metric tons) of Zisun tea were contributed as tribute. Bai Juyi, who was unable to attend the grand tea banquet in the mountains due to illness, wrote a poem: "From afar I hear of the night gathering in the tea hills, with pearls, jade, songs, and bells all around. On the tray, the border of two states is divided in half, but under the lamp, we become one family. Fair maidens compete in graceful dance, while all vie to taste the newest Zisun. I sigh beneath my northern window in the flowering season, sipping yellow wine alone while ill in bed." This shows just how grand the scene was. Today, both "Wenshan Imperial Tea" and "Guzhu Zisun Tea" have been revived. In 1982, Changxing Zisun Tea participated in the National Famous Tea Evaluation for the first time and received unanimous praise from experts, earning a national famous tea certification. In 198?, it was selected for the National High-Quality Agricultural Products Exhibition and included in the national publication "Collection of Famous, Special, and Premium Products." (Huzhou)