Ruian Qingmingzao

Ruian Qingmingzao

Ruian Qingmingzao is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Ruian Qingmingzao C.sinensis cv.Ruian-qingmingzao

　　Asexual variety. Shrub type, medium leaf class, ultra-early maturing cultivar. Diploid. Origin and distribution: Originally from Pandai Township, Ruian City, Zhejiang Province, it was selected as a single plant by local tea farmers. It is mainly distributed in the city and some tea-growing areas of Zhejiang. In 1992, it was recognized as a provincial-level variety by the Zhejiang Crop Variety Approval Committee. Characteristics: The plant is of medium size, with a semi-spreading growth habit, relatively dense branching, and leaves that grow upward-slanting or horizontally. Leaves are elliptical, green in color, slightly raised on the surface, slightly inward-folded along the blade, with a wavy margin, acuminate tips, medium serration, and relatively soft leaf texture. Buds and leaves are green with a purple tint, have little down, and 100 three-leaf buds weigh 61.9g. Flower diameter is 3.5–3.7 cm, with 7 petals, medium amount of ovary down, and a 3-lobed style. Traits: Strong growth vigor of buds and leaves, with medium tenderness retention. The peak period for one bud and one leaf occurs in mid-March. Yield is moderate, reaching 100 kg per 667 square meters. Spring tea from one bud and two leaves (dry sample) contains approximately 3.9% amino acids, 19.9% tea polyphenols, and 3.3% caffeine. Suitable for making green tea, especially flat or Mao Feng-style teas, yielding a yellowish-green color, high aroma, and mellow, fresh taste. Moderate cold resistance. Strong cutting propagation ability. Suitable regions: Tea-growing areas of Zhejiang. Cultivation essentials: Best planted and pruned according to single or double row tea garden specifications. Pay attention to timely pest control during the peak mite activity period from July to September. Autumn tea garden management should be carried out slightly earlier.

　　The “Qingmingzao” tea cultivar is one of the three major early-maturing asexual varieties in Wenzhou, and Ruian farmers have a long history of cultivating it. Morphological characteristics: It is a shrub-type, medium-leaf, early-maturing variety, with relatively tall and vigorous plants, a semi-spreading growth habit, dense branching, and leaves that grow upward-slanting or horizontally. The average leaf length is 9.52 cm, width is 4.05 cm, leaf shape is elliptical, the leaf surface is slightly raised and slightly inward-folded, with 5 to 9 pairs of veins, acuminate leaf tips, and green leaf color.