Basic Introduction to Haiqing Tea
Haiqing Tea was originally named after its production in Haiqing Town, Qingdao. ‘Haiqing Tea' can also be called ‘Haiqing (meaning deep affection) Tea.' This name not only embodies the characteristic of Qingdao — a broad-minded embrace of the sea — but also conveys the profound meaning of deep affection, making it a rare name for tea. It has now become synonymous with high-end gift teas. Haiqing Town is a national “Northern Ten-thousand Mu (1 mu = 0.067 hectares) Tea Base,” and is known as the “Qingdao Tea Homeland.” Growing and stir-frying Haiqing Tea has become the path to a well-off life for tens of thousands of farmers in Jiaonan.
Nutritional Value
1. Green tea can supplement various vitamins needed by the human body.
Green tea contains multiple types of vitamins, including water-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin C and B vitamins), which can be directly absorbed and utilized by the human body through drinking tea. Therefore, regularly drinking green tea is a good way to supplement water-soluble vitamins and can help meet the body's needs for various vitamins, particularly vitamin C.
2. Green tea can supply proteins, amino acids, and mineral elements needed by the human body.
The water-soluble proteins in green tea that can be directly absorbed and utilized through drinking account for about 2% of its composition. Green tea contains a rich variety of amino acids, with over 25 different types, including all eight essential amino acids required by the human body. Although these amino acids are present in low quantities in green tea, they can serve as a supplement when daily requirements are not met through other dietary sources.
Green tea contains large amounts of macroelements and trace elements essential for human health. The major elements include phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and sulfur; while the trace elements include iron, manganese, zinc, selenium, copper, fluoride, and iodine. For example, green tea has a relatively high content of zinc, with an average of 73 micrograms per gram and up to 252 micrograms in some cases; in contrast, black tea contains an average of only 32 micrograms of zinc per gram. The average iron content in dry green tea leaves is 123 micrograms per gram. These elements play crucial roles in human physiological functions, and regular consumption of green tea is one of the important channels for obtaining these mineral elements.
Product Characteristics
Haiqing Tea (haiqingtea), a type of northern China green tea, stands out compared to other green teas with its thick leaves, concentrated flavor, excellent brewing endurance, bright yellow color, mellow taste, sweet aftertaste, and a distinct pea fragrance. It is considered a top-tier tea.
Historical and Folklore Background
Haiqing Tea originally belonged to one of the Qimen Zhumu group varieties from Anhui Province. It was introduced to Haiqing Town in Jiaonan during the “South Tea Northward, South Bamboo Northward” initiative in 1966 and was named “Haiqing Tea (haiqingtea).” This variety is primarily distributed in Haiqing Town, Jiaonan City, and the current tea garden area spans nearly 1,300 hectares, making it the largest and most northerly green tea production base in China.