Basic Introduction to Nine-Level Mountain Tea
Nine-Level Mountain Tea is a specialty product of Liuzhi Special District, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province. It grows at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,400 meters on Nine-Level Mountain, located in Langdai Town, Liuzhi Special District, which is known for its rich selenium content. The natural advantages in the production area are prominent, with high forest coverage and climatic characteristics such as altitude, temperature, and rainfall that are particularly suitable for tea cultivation. Nine-Level Mountain Tea is flat and emerald green, with a bright light-green broth, fresh and refreshing taste, and a lasting delicate aroma. The tea plantation is situated at an altitude of 1,600 meters, covering more than 5,000 acres, adjacent to the Nine-Level Mountain National Forest Park. The climate throughout the year is mild, with abundant rainfall and low radiation levels. Below the tea plantation flows the Zangke River, and under the influence of this river valley climate, Nine-Level Mountain is often shrouded in mist. The soil is rich in trace elements such as selenium that are essential for human health. The unique geographical climate and soil conditions have given rise to the selenium-rich “Nine-Level Mountain” tea.
LiuZhi Special District is located in western Guizhou Province and eastern Liupanshui City, between the watershed of the Sancha River upstream and the Beipan River. The climate within the district is moderate, with abundant rainfall, making it suitable for tea cultivation. Tea has been grown in Liuzhi for over 300 years, and it is one of the main producing areas of the historically famous “Duobei Tea.” Named after its ninety-nine mountains, Nine-Level Mountain originates from the tea base established in the 1960s during the era of educated youth farms. Located in Bapan Village, Zangke Town, the altitude ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 meters. The climate is humid, with low ultraviolet radiation and frequent fog cover, characteristic of low latitude and high altitude. This makes it one of the important regions for the growth and proliferation of wild tea and ancient tea trees in Guizhou Province.
By 2018, the pre-ming (early spring) tea production of Nine-Level Mountain Tea had increased by around three tons, with a total output value exceeding ten million yuan. The bulk price was 1,200 yuan per catty, while after packaging, it could reach 1,600 yuan per catty.
Nutritional Value
The buds of Nine-Level Mountain Tea are plump and yellow-green, bright and clear, with a long-lasting aftertaste. They are rich in organic matter, various minerals, and tea polyphenols, and drinking them has the effects of beautifying the complexion, prolonging life, invigorating the spirit, and refreshing the mind.
Product Characteristics
Nine-Level Mountain Tea has a tightly compacted and evenly shaped appearance with a lustrous color; the leaves are finely and evenly arranged, showing a bright green color. The tea broth is thick and sweetly refreshing, with a fresh and intense aroma and a noticeable floral scent. The broth is a clear, verdant green. After processing into finished tea, there are two shapes:
Flat tea: Flat and emerald green in appearance, evenly shaped; the broth is a bright light green; the taste is fresh and refreshing, with a lasting delicate aroma; the infused leaves are green and lustrous.
Curled tea: Tightly coiled and evenly shaped in appearance; the color is green and lustrous; the broth is a bright yellow-green; the aroma is high and lasting, with a mellow taste.
Manufacturing Method
Manufacturing process: withering → fixation → rolling → shaping → drying.
(1) Withering: For flat tea, the thickness of the withered leaves should be 2 to 5 centimeters; for curled tea, the thickness should be 4 to 10 centimeters. The withering time is 4 to 10 hours. Wither until the leaves are slightly soft, the color is slightly dark green, and a faint fragrance is apparent.
(2) Fixation: Temperature range of 180°C to 240°C, duration of 2 to 5 minutes, stir-fry until “the leaf texture becomes soft, can be formed into a ball when held in hand, slightly sticky, the bud and leaf remain intact, and a fresh fragrance is revealed.”
(3) Rolling: Duration of 25 to 30 minutes, until the tea juice slightly seeps out, can be formed into a ball when held in hand, and naturally disperses upon release.
(4) Shaping: Shape according to requirements, divided into flat tea and curled tea.
(5) Drying: Dried in 2 to 3 stages until the moisture content is ≤7.0%.
Awards and Honors of Nine-Level Mountain Tea
On December 8, 2017, the original General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine approved geographical indication product protection for “Nine-Level Mountain Tea.”