Basic Introduction to Zheng'an White Tea
The “Treatise on Tea” by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty records: “White tea is a unique variety, distinct from common teas. Its branches spread out and its leaves are translucent and thin. It occasionally grows between forests and cliffs, not as a result of human effort… It is clear both inside and out, like jade in its raw state, incomparable to any other.” The climate and environment of Zheng'an are a rare treasure ground for growing white tea in the world. However, there is only about one month of harvest time throughout the entire year. This highlights the uniqueness, scarcity, and preciousness of white tea.
Nutritional Value
Zheng'an White Tea has a high fragrance, fresh and mellow taste, bright liquor color, and tender, even leaves. It showcases the colors of tenderness, clarity, and brightness, and combines flavors of fragrance, astringency, and sweetness. Its nutritional value is particularly outstanding, with amino acid content reaching over 9%, which is 2-3 times higher than that of ordinary green teas. Tests conducted by the Chinese Academy of Tea Science showed that among the 22 natural amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body, Zheng'an White Tea contains 11 types, accounting for 50%. Among these, theanine is present at 3.62%, and arginine at 2.62%, totaling 6.24%. These features make it a premium choice for health.
Zheng'an White Tea has an elegant appearance, complete and evenly sized, with a yellow-green color and a long-lasting fresh aroma. The liquor is bright and the taste is fresh, sweet, and refreshing. The infused leaves are bright and lustrous, pure and beautiful, and without blemish.
Product Characteristics
Zheng'an has a mid-subtropical humid monsoon climate. It enjoys a mild climate with distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, and a long frost-free period. Particularly during the peak growth period of crops, it experiences high temperatures and ample rain, making the combination of heat and water highly effective for crop growth. Due to significant altitude differences, there are distinct vertical climate zones, including cool, temperate, and warm climates. However, sunlight is limited, and radiation is weak, with frequent low temperatures and cloudy weather in spring and autumn, and early droughts in the summer.
Historical and Folklore
Historical records show that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, a young man named Yin Zhen carried homemade “tea” from his hometown to pay homage to the renowned Confucian scholar Xu Shen. He faced difficulties from the gatekeeper but managed to sit under the eaves and chew on the “tea.” Soon, the entire mansion was filled with a rich tea aroma. Xu Shen traced the source of the aroma and invited Yin Zhen into his study. Upon brewing the “tea,” he observed its beautiful appearance and how the white leaf base resembled silver needles sinking into the pot, with a bright green liquor. Tasting it revealed a fresh, smooth, and slightly sweet flavor, with a subtle bitterness that quickly turned into a pleasant aftertaste. This inspired Xu Shen to provide a detailed annotation of “tea” in his “Explanatory Dictionary of Chinese Characters,” using “chá, míng, shè” to describe its color, fragrance, and taste. After completing his studies, Yin Zhen returned home in 107 AD and built a three-room cottage to open a school, marking the beginning of formal education in southwestern China. He is honored as the “Pioneer of Culture and Education in Guizhou.” Yin Zhen was from what is now Zheng'an County, Guizhou Province, and the “tea” he brought was the same Zheng'an White Tea that is still enjoyed today.