The annual tea harvest in China traditionally begins around the Qing Ming Festival (this year falling on 4th April). Farmers look forward to this 'first flush,' when the leaves - awakened from winter dormancy - are rich in antioxidants and prized for their quality.
Early Green Tea in Zhejiang
In Zhejiang province, our friend Charlie Xu, who specialises in the delicate green tea Anji Bai Cha, faced a challenging season. Heavy rains began in March and persisted into the crucial plucking period. Harvesting, done entirely by hand, depends on a team of 96 skilled migrant workers from Henan who Charlie houses at his garden. Frequent interruptions meant the early green tea harvest was more precarious than usual - a reminder of how closely tea farmers live with the rhythms of the weather.
Min Nan Oolongs in Fujian
In Fujian province, Wan Ling’s native home and the source of our Min Nan Oolongs such as Tie Guan Yin, the conditions were kinder. Certain Oolongs, like our Mei Zhan, are even gathered from long-abandoned gardens. These wilder tea plantations yield less by design, but their balanced ecosystems create a stability that helps buffer against climate stresses.
White Tea & the Market
Meanwhile, Mr Zheng, one of our trusted white tea producers, has faced a different challenge - not the weather, but the market itself. Working co-operatively, he supports local households and has successfully raised their incomes in recent years. However, with a downturn in the white tea market, he now carries the responsibility of sustaining and expanding those livelihoods in tougher times.
Looking Ahead: Autumn Harvests
While spring remains the most celebrated season for tea, the year is not over. The autumn harvests, particularly for Oolong and Puerh, are still to come. These later pickings often produce teas with a deeper body and warmer character - less delicate than the first flush, but valued for their balance and everyday drinkability. For some farmers, the autumn season also provides a chance to recover yields after a disrupted spring, offering stability both in the cup and in household incomes.
Tea harvests are always a story of both nature and people: weather patterns, resilient plants, and the determination of growers. Each year’s tea carries the imprint of these conditions, and when you sip a cup, you taste more than just leaves - you taste a season, a landscape, and the lives entwined with it.
