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China Tea Facts: Fujian

Fujian is one of the largest producers of tea in China and home to some of the most renowned teas in China. With almost 80% of Taiwanese being able to trace their ancestory back to Fujian it is no wonder that Taiwan also is a world renowned source of delightful teas.

Almost everywhere you travel in Fujian you will find tea trays setup, whether in the street, a restaurant and certaintly in every home.

AnXi

An Xi, Southern Fujian (Min Nan) Wan Ling's home town is located approximately 2 hours bus journey from Xiamen. AnXi is both a town (city!) and a county, both belonging to the adminitrative city of Quan Zhou.

An Xi is the original home of Tie Guan Yin Oolong tea. The Tie Guan Yin plants are reputed have been found near a temple in the village of Xi Ping. An Xi produces a varst number of Oolong's with names that relate to the local village or place where they are produced, the plant's characteristics or as with Tie Guan Yin a fabled story.

Well known Min Nan Oolong's include, Mao Xie (Hairy Crab), Huang Jin Gui, Da Ye (large leaf), Se Zhong, Mei Zhan and the famous Ben Shan tea trees.

Tea has been subject to many fashions over the centuries. For example from 1950's onwards An Xi had around 3 main styles; Se Zhong, Tie Guan Yin and Oolong. Mei Zhan, Ben Shan, Mao Xie, Fou Shou and others were all described as Se Zhong. As a further indication of these changes in styles, the name Huang Dan, has now evolved in to Huang Jin Gui.

The mid to late eighties saw the trend toward Qing Xiang (green, light oxidised (20% - 40%) and highly fragrant) style An Xi (Min Nan) teas becaming predominant, to the degree that is difficult to find anything else. Previously much more highly oxidised teas (50% - 90%) had been popular.

Tea drinking in An Xi is a vital part of, not just daily life, but almost all festivals and key events. When getting married in An Xi then the new bride must make tea for the groom's immediate family in return for a hong bao or red packet, a gift that contains money. Tea and tea leaves are vital parts of pray with them being offered up to Buddha and to deceased relatives.

See also: An Xi photo galleries

DeHua

DeHua is famous for its fine white porclains. Such porclain is idea for tea cups and gai wan's that are used extensively throughout Fujian to prepare their gong fu tea.

FuZhou

Fu Zhou is Fujian's provincial capitial, with a long and remarkable history. Fu Zhou and the nearby county of Fu Ding are renowned for their production of flower teas and in particular jasmine tea.

Wu Yi Shan

Wu Yi, in the Min Bei region of Fujian is home to Rock tea (yan cha).

In the Wu Yi mountains along the western border of Fujian province. This area is one of the largest producers of tea. There are four famous kinds among over seven hundred Oolongs; Da Hong Pao, Bai Ji Guan, Shui Jin Gui and Tie Luo Han.

The most well known are Da Hong Pao & Bai Ji Guan.

See also: Wu Yi photo gallery

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