Basic Introduction of Mopingsi Tribute Tea
“Mopingsi Tribute Tea” is named after the village of Mopingsi in Litemple Town, Nanzhang County. Historically known as “Moping Tea,” or “Mopingsi Tea,” it is also colloquially referred to as “Mopingsi Tribute Tea” and is now commonly known by its registered trademark. With a long history and superior quality, it was renowned for its fragrant flavor in ancient times and highly favored by feudal courts. The “Mopingsi Tribute Tea” product line has won numerous national awards and was once the only tea product in Xiangyang City to be certified as a geographical indication agricultural product by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The entry of “Mopingsi Tribute Tea” into the ranks of nationally renowned products is a matter of great joy and celebration. It contributes significantly to the progress of “Golden Nanzhang” towards achieving a moderately prosperous society. The tea plantation is located in Old Forest Gully, 17 miles west of the Litemple Town government, at an altitude of around 550 meters. It is said to have the longest daily sunlight exposure in the area. Currently, there are over 1,200 acres of tea gardens, capable of producing more than 30,000 catties of tribute tea annually. Seven ancient tea trees still exist, making it a truly rare treasure. According to statistics, the quality of tea primarily depends on climate, soil, and season. The Mopingsi area is warm and humid with fertile soil and abundant water, ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality green tea.
Geographical Scope
The production area of Mopingsi Tribute Tea is limited to the three villages of Mopingsi, Quanjiawan, and Liuping in Litemple Town, Nanzhang County, Hubei Province. The total planting area is 86.7 hectares, with an annual output of 33 tons of Mopingsi Tribute Tea. Its geographical location is between 111°29′00″ and 111°46′00″ east longitude and 31°43′00″ and 32°00′00″ north latitude.
Product Characteristics
1. Sensory Features: The shape of Mopingsi Tribute Tea is slender, robust, and straight, with a bright green color and visible white down. The infusion is tender yellow, clear, and bright, with a neat and uniform leaf base. The taste is rich, fresh, refreshing, and long-lasting, with a chestnut-like aroma, making it a top-grade tea variety.
2. Internal Quality Indicators: Mopingsi Tribute Tea is rich in internal components, including tea polyphenols ≥15%; water-soluble extracts ≥36%; total ash ≤6.0%; crude fiber ≤10.0 mg/kg; moisture content ≤6.0 mg/kg.
3. Safety and Quality Requirements: The production environment and quality standards of Mopingsi Tribute Tea comply with the Green Food Tea standard NY/T 288-2012.
Historical and Folklore Background
The Qing Dynasty's Qianlong and Tongzhi editions of the “Xiangyang Prefecture Annals” and “Nanzhang County Annals” vividly describe the scenic spot of “Mopingsi” and its reputation. Mopingsi has been a blessed place since ancient times, with beautiful mountains and clear waters, pleasant scenery, and abundant produce, earning it the nickname “Little Peach Blossom Spring.” According to the Qianlong edition of the “Xiangyang Prefecture Annals” (Volume 9, “Altars and Temples”), “Xiangguo Temple: Located eighty li west of the county in Moping Mountain. Built during the Song Dynasty, rebuilt by the Ming dynasty's Xiang feudal prince, and restored in the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the current dynasty. There is an inscription on the stele. In front of the temple lies a reclining elephant, and behind it a crouching lion. Layered mountains rise up in emerald green, lush forests obscure the view, two mountains embrace each other, and a river runs across like a belt, making this place the most beautiful in terms of mountains and water.” A similar vivid description can be found in the Tongzhi edition of the “Nanzhang County Annals” (under “Altars and Temples”). The Guangxu edition of the “Xiangyang Prefecture Annals” under the “Mountains and Rivers” section states, “Moping Mountain, located about forty li northwest of the county (as recorded in the county annals).” Surrounded by mountains and water, with green hills and rivers, the geographical position is unique, suitable for visiting all four seasons, and the scenery is breathtaking.
The only two surviving old editions of the “Nanzhang County Annals” (Tongzhi edition from the Qing Dynasty and the Republican era edition) both provide detailed records of “Moping Tea,” along with rich folklore that is well-known among the people. According to the Tongzhi edition of the “Nanzhang County Annals” (Territory chapter), “Mopingsi, originally named Xiangguo Temple, was founded during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. Its rock formations are elegant, surrounded by picturesque scenery. It produces tea known as Moping Tea, which was cherished at the time, although unfortunately not widely available.” The Republican-era edition of the “Nanzhang County Annals” (Religion chapter) records, “There are dozens of tea trees beside the temple, known for their fragrant and delicious flavor.” “Moping Tea” and the nearby “Big Willow Tree” were included in the Qing Dynasty's gazetteers, becoming today's geographical indications. In the treasure trove of cultural heritage in “Golden Nanzhang,” the significance of “Mopingsi” is even more prominent. According to folk legends in the Jing Mountains, “Moping Tea” has been a special item for the royal court of the State of Chu since 3100 years ago and was especially popular during the Tang Dynasty. Throughout the dynastic periods, it was enjoyed by feudal courts, with particular favor from Emperor Qianlong, who could not help but savor it frequently.
The area around “Mopingsi” is where the ancient capital of the State of Chu, Xiongyi's Danyang, is located, as well as the site of “South Branch of the Jing Mountains.” The cultural heritage of the State of Chu is exceptionally profound and mysterious, evoking awe and admiration. “Golden Nanzhang” is the birthplace of Chu culture, and the area around Mopingsi is where the early capital of the State of Chu, Xiongyi's Danyang, and the “South Branch of the Jing Mountains” (Nanzhang Jing Mountains) are located (including the main peaks of ancient Jing Mountains closely connected to Mopingsi, such as Gaofenglu Main Village). This is beyond dispute.
“Moping Tea” is a “three-thousand-year tribute tea” (commonly known as “thousand-year tribute tea”) and a “golden brand” of the county's historical and cultural heritage, deserving of its title. Based on my preliminary research, the history of tea drinking in Nanzhang County can be traced back to over 3100 years ago, during the time when Xiongyi (also known as the first “Prince of Chu”) was enfeoffed in the capital city of Danyang in Mount Jing. Amidst extremely harsh living conditions, they “roughed it out in the wilderness” while striving for survival, safety, and resurgence. They discovered the naturally high-quality Moping tea, which they found fragrant and fresh in taste. Recognizing its value, they made it a special tribute item for the royal court, thus becoming a regular item used by the feudal emperors of successive dynasties.
Awards and Honors
In early November 2012, the Ninth China (Wuhan) Agricultural Expo, themed “Innovation and Development, Science and Technology, Green,” was held grandly at the Wuhan International Convention and Exhibition Center. Among the exhibits from Nanzhang County, “Mopingsi Tribute Tea” attracted the most attention due to its high-altitude, non-polluted, novel, unique, and superior qualities. It stood out and won the gold medal at the expo. “Mopingsi Tribute Tea” is produced and marketed by the Nanzhang County Springtime Tea Specialized Cooperative and the Nanzhang County Mopingsi Tribute Tea Development Co., Ltd. It has been recognized as a “Pollution-free Agricultural Product”