Basic Introduction to Beichuan Tai Zi Tea
Beichuan Tai Zi Tea is a specialty of Beichuan County, Sichuan Province, and is a Chinese national geographical indication product. It is a branch formed by the long-term evolution of wild tea trees. This variety has grown for a long time in dense forests at high altitudes above 1,000-1,800 meters. To adapt to the natural environment characterized by large diurnal temperature differences, abundant mist, and short periods of direct sunlight, it has developed characteristics such as cold resistance, strong buds, thick leaves, and high amino acid content. It contains rich simple catechins (accounting for 60-80% of total polyphenols) and esterified catechins (accounting for about 70-80% of total catechins), with a reasonable combination of their contents and high amino acid content. The finished tea has a mellow taste, a high aroma, a bright greenish-yellow liquor color, and yellow-green leaves after brewing. It is durable for steeping, free from agricultural residues, and leaves a sweet aftertaste, making it an excellent variety for producing green tea.
Product Characteristics
To adapt to the natural environment characterized by large diurnal temperature differences, abundant mist, and short periods of direct sunlight, Beichuan tea has developed characteristics such as cold resistance, strong buds, thick leaves, and high amino acid content. It contains rich simple catechins (accounting for 60-80% of total polyphenols) and esterified catechins (accounting for about 70-80% of total catechins), with a reasonable combination of their contents and high amino acid content. The finished tea has a mellow taste, a high aroma, a bright greenish-yellow liquor color, and yellow-green leaves after brewing. It is durable for steeping, free from agricultural residues, and leaves a sweet aftertaste, making it an excellent variety for producing green tea.
History and Folklore
The tea produced in Beichuan is called “Tai Zi Tea,” which has a long history of cultivation, with records dating back to the Tang Dynasty when it was listed as a tribute tea. It is a branch formed by the long-term evolution of wild tea trees, growing for a long time in dense forests at high altitudes above 1,000-1,800 meters.
The geographical indication product protection scope for Beichuan Tai Zi Tea covers the current administrative regions of 11 towns and townships in Beichuan County, Sichuan Province: Qu Shan Town, Lei Gu Town, Tong Kou Town, Xuan Ping Township, Chen Jia Ba Township, Gui Xi Township, Dou Ba Township, Guan Ling Township, Yu Li Township, Bai Ni Township, and Xiang Quan Township.