WUYISHAN, CHINA & CHAOZHOU, CHINA

THE ORIGIN:

China has many famous teas, and a good number of them are from Fujian Province. One of the areas in Fujian, the Wuyi Mountains, is home to beloved teas like Da Hong Pao, Rou Gui, and Shui Xian. There are vast gardens of plantation-style bushes, but at the heart of this region is the true "authentic" growing area of these Wuyi teas. The unique, beautiful terroir is critical for the characteristic "rock taste" in the teas, and there is a mastery of tea-making here that is the result of generations of learning and practice. 

Because of the biodiversity and natural beauty of the landscape, some areas are government-protected, strictly prohibiting the use of chemicals and pesticides. As a result, these gardens are in one of the few, chemical-free agricultural zones in developed China. Located in one of these areas are the original Da Hong Pao bushes, the 3 surviving mother bushes that are the famous predecessors to the entire Wuyi Yancha tea category.  

Just a few hours away by train is Chaozhou in Guangdong Province, another famous area for tea. This is the home of Phoenix dancong oolong and Chaozhou pottery. This Spring will be the first time that we will be exploring Chaozhou. 

THE GROWERS: 

Wuyishan Rock Tea Village; The Chen Family in Wuyishan, China

The Chen Family is our host in Wuyishan, a third-generation tea family that grows and crafts their own teas. Their family was assigned land within the Wuyishan Scenic Area in the 1970s during Deng Xiao Ping's land reform. 

The family specializes in Wuyi rock oolongs like Da Hong Pao, Rou Gui, and Shui Xian, but also produces teas like Jin Jun Mei and White Peony. Their uncle leads the entire family, cousins and all, at every step of the teamaking process, ensuring that everyone is equipped with the necessary knoweldge and expertise to carry on the family tradition.   

>> Learn more about The Chen Family.

The Zhou Family in Chaozhou, China

The Zhou Family lives in Chaozhou; their son is married to Cindy Chen, from the Chen Family in Wuyishan. They, like the Chen Family, specialize in just one kind of tea; dancong oolong. Cindy and her husband help their respective families during the different times of the year, traveling back and forth between the two regions. This will be the first time that we will meet the rest of the Zhou Family.  

THE EXPERIENCE:

The Wuyishan & Chaozhou segment provides a wealth of information on quality tea; after all, China's standards for quality tea are unparalleled in the tea world, at least until other regions develop their craft. Learn about tea from leaf to cup, with in-depth insights into the terroir and its influence on tea, the timing of harvests, the various processing stages of teas, and factors like roasting, aging, and storage. 

Explore the Chinese tea landscape and the differences between plantation-style gardens and gardens that are more integrated into their environment. See the differences between different cultivars and tea types. Get the facts behind your favorite teas from the farmers, and dispel the myths that abound from the marketing and hype in the modern tea industry.

Enjoy the comforts of modernized China with its well-developed infrastructure, lodging, and facilities. Learn more about modern Chinese tea culture and the market/economic climate in this critical tea region.  

The Chen Family's Da Hong Pao, High Fire

>> Back to The Amazing Tea Race.