Tea
In a country known world-wide for its tea, Fujian rates as one of China's top provinces when it comes to this popular beverage. This is not only because Fujian produces so many famous teas but also because of its well-developed arts of tea brewing and tea-tasting.
The rolling Wuyi Mountains in Fujian are characterised by their many strangely shaped peaks, which are usually enveloped in clouds and fog. One of China's highest grade teas - Wuyi Rock Tea (Wu Ih Yen Tea) - is produced in these mountains. As early as the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), this area was established as a Royal Tea Garden to produce tea to offer as tribute to emperors. From the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) on, this kind of tea began to be exported to Europe and America. Today Wuyi Rock Tea, which is produced in Tongmuguan in Chong'an County, is still an essential traditional drink of the British royal family.
Anxi County in southern Fujian produces another famous tea called Tieguanyin (Ti Kuan Yin), an age-old superior variety of Oolong Tea. Other well-known varieties include Bailin Congou Tea, Zhenghe Congou Tea and Tan yang Congou Tea, all produced on Taimu Mountain in eastern Fujian, Tianshan Green Tea produced in Ningde County, Qijingtang Green Tea produced in Luoyuan County, and jasmine tea (a favourite with people in northern China) produced in the surrounding areas of Fuzhou City.
The coastal Sanjiang (or Three "Jiangs"- Minjiang, Jinjiang and Jiulongjiang) Plain in the centre of the province is an alluvial plain, and is both fertile and populous. Since ancient times, numerous famous personages and scholars have come from this area. They were generally well off men of leisure, so after they finished teaching or writing, they would choose a top-quality tea, brew it with great care and savour it slowly. Over the generations, their experience in mastering the secrets of tea brewing was passed down and tea brewing became an art in its own right.
In tea-brewing, every aspect of the process is essential: the selection of the tea, the type of water used, the temperature of the water, the tea set itself and the method of preparation. In Fuzhou one can visit what are called Tea Art Halls, where one can choose from a variety of teas and tea sets. In every hall there are resident tea-brewing masters, who will demonstrate to customers the different techniques for preparing the various kinds of tea. In this way one can be assured of getting the best possible results from their tea, while at the same time learn about the customs and rituals related to this age-old tradition.
Source: travelchinaguide.com
Editor: Wang Moyan
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