How tea is harvested in China
Tea is collected in more than 30 countries of the subtropical and tropical zones. Annual production is approximately & ndash; 3.5 million tonnes. China produces the most tea.
China's tea culture & ndash; this is a series of centuries-old traditions whose first roots go back 4,000 years.
Despite the huge variety of varieties and species - tea & nbsp; today has more than 2000 varieties - absolutely all tea is collected from one type of plant - Camellia sinensis.
All this variety of tea was discovered gradually, experimentally, and sometimes randomly.
The ability to enjoy rich tea flavors has become real thanks to the different collection times, technological features of drying, withering and fermentation.
Agroclimatic conditions, mineral composition and soil quality are equally important. Even weather patterns that vary from year to year bring unique flavors.
Tea flushes (a kidney and 2-3 leaves after it with a stalk) are harvested by hand, and every day on plantations thousands of workers (mostly women, because their fingers are thinner and their touches more gentle) collect the upper shoots of tea bushes.
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How is tea grown and harvested in China?
China is the world leader in the production and export of all types of tea & ndash; green, white, yellow, red, black, oolong and pu'er tea, common and premium varieties.
In China, tea is grown in 16 provinces, including the famous Guangzhou, Hunan, Fujian, Yunnan, etc.
Tea picking in China is very tightly tied to the solar-lunar calendar.
Traditionally, there are three & laquo; crop & raquo; period for tea:
- Shetsyan (insect awakening): March 5 & ndash; March 20. The first leaves of early vegetation are collected after the winter & laquo; hibernation & raquo;. Tea of this period has a very delicate and mild taste, a slight fresh aroma and a subtle aftertaste. The first fees are the most demanding for all stages of processing and brewing. These teas are called Shetsyan and are the most expensive. They are usually found only at closed tea auctions & ndash; just like that & nbsp; it is quite difficult to buy tea of this type.
- Mingjian (early spring): March 20 & ndash; April 5. During this period, the growing process has not yet been accelerated and & laquo; green mass & raquo; grows slowly. Such teas are multifaceted, expressive, balanced in taste and aroma, but still without bitterness, therefore tender. Considered the highest quality.
- Yuqian (before the bread rains): April 5 to April 20 A large green leaf, well-warmed soil and air, the absence of temperature changes at night and during the day ensure a stable tea harvest. During this period, there is a mass collection. Not the most expensive varieties, however, are distinguished by saturation, depth, density and viscosity of taste, resistance to brewing and a long velvet aftertaste. Teas of this particular collection are called multi-level & ndash; those that reveal their taste gradually, step by step, sip by sip.
Oolong are harvested during the cold season.
Winter Taiwan Oolong & ndash; are premium and very expensive.
Guangdong mountain oolong are more common: they gather in spring, and lowland & ndash; spring and fall.
Each province in China has its own tea assortment, which is not reproduced in other regions. Collectible elite varieties of these areas are & laquo; business card & raquo; and a source of special pride for locals.
Interesting facts about growing and collecting Chinese tea
- The higher the tea bush grows on the mountain, the better the drink.
- High-end teas are harvested from mountainside plantations starting at 1,500 meters.
- Camelia Sinensis' average growing season & ndash; 50-60 years.
- After a full cycle of processing, the tea leaf loses 25-30% in weight.
- The most recent sheet to be collected is the fifth from the tipsa (kidney).
- Every day, one picker collects about 20 kilograms of tea leaves or 3,000 cups of tea.
- Elite white tea only meets at dawn & ndash; 5 to 9 a.m. in good weather.
Online tea shop & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo; wishes you to receive only true pleasure from a good drink, and offers a choice of varieties of all fees, from tender to tart & ndash; for every taste!