Zhangping Daffodil Tea, the name sounds full of mystery and elegance. For many tea lovers, it may not be that familiar, but in fact, it is the only tightly pressed oolong tea in China. This article will take you on an in-depth look at this unique tea, unraveling its mysteries one by one, from its history, production process to tasting methods.
What is Zhangping Daffodil Tea?
Zhangping Shui Xian tea, as the name suggests, is produced in Zhangping City, Fujian Province. It belongs to a kind of oolong tea, but unlike normal oolong tea, it exists in the form of tightly pressed tea cakes. Zhangping Shui Xian tea has a long history of production, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Due to its unique geographical environment and traditional tea making process, this tea has unique characteristics in aroma, taste and appearance .
History of Zhangping Daffodil Tea
The history of Zhangping Daffodil tea cultivation can be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty, and by the Ming and Qing Dynasties, tea cultivation here had become quite large-scale, forming specialized tea processing workshops. Zhangping is located in the south-central part of Fujian, where the natural conditions are unique, and the subtropical monsoon climate provides an ideal environment for the growth of tea. The production process of Zhangping Daffodil Tea was even pioneered by tea man Deng Guanjin in 1914, making this tea cake unique in the world.
Zhangping Shui Xian tea production process
The production process of Zhangping Daffodil Tea is extremely delicate, from picking to making tea cakes, it needs to go through a number of procedures:
- Harvesting and greening: The time and method of picking tea leaves directly affects the quality of tea leaves. Usually, picking is done early in the morning or late in the evening to ensure the freshness of the tea leaves. After picking, the tea leaves are sun-dried so that they lose some of their moisture.
- turn green: This step combines the production process of oolong tea from Northern Fujian and Southern Fujian and mainly includes shaking and drying the green. The purpose of greening is to promote the chemical reaction within the tea leaves and enhance the aroma of the tea.
- Killing and kneading: Killing is to stop the fermentation of tea leaves by destroying the enzyme activity in the tea leaves through high temperature. Kneading, on the other hand, is to shape the tea leaves and make the tea juice overflow to enhance the concentration of the tea broth.
- Molding and shaping: The twisted tea leaves are put into special wooden molds and pressed into tea cakes. This process requires the use of traditional wooden molds and handcrafted techniques to make the tea cakes well-shaped and beautiful.
- cure by drying over a fire (tea, meat etc): Baking is the final and crucial step in the production of Zhangping Shui Xian tea. Traditionally, charcoal roasting technique is used, with an initial roasting temperature of 90-100°C, and then gradually lowering the temperature to eventually make the tea cakes completely dry.
It combines the production methods of Northern Fujian Narcissus and Southern Fujian Tieguanyin, after a series of processes such as sunshine greening, greening, stir-frying, kneading, etc., and then pressed into square tea cakes with wooden molds. This unique pressing process makes Zhangping Xian tea become the only tightly pressed tea in oolong tea. Tea cake shape flat, ancient color, both technological content, but also to adapt to the market, easy to travel and carry.
Zhangping Shui Xian Tea Tasting
To taste Zhangping Daffodil tea, you can start from the following aspects:
- contour: Zhangping Daffodil tea is usually found in the form of square tea cakes with dark green color and flat surface.
- fragrance: It has a unique aroma with distinctly floral and fruity notes that are intoxicating.
- tea broth: After brewing, the tea soup is golden and translucent in color, with a mellow taste and a rich layered texture.
- underside of the leaf: The bottom of the leaves are tender green and well-balanced, fully displaying the quality of the tea.
How to Brew Zhangping Daffodil Tea
The brewing method of Zhangping Shui Xian tea is more delicate, and it is recommended to use a gaiwan or zisha pot to fully release the aroma and flavor of the tea leaves:
- thermos flask: Warm the tea set with hot water before brewing to raise the temperature of the tea set.
- throw in tea (esp. for tea leaves): Take a tea cake and place it in a pot, fill it with a small amount of hot water and pour it off quickly to act as a tea cleanser.
- brewing: Fill with hot water at 85-90°C and soak for about 20 seconds for the first soak, increasing by about 5 seconds for each subsequent soak.
- sip: Every time you pour tea, you can smell the aroma first, then taste the flavor of the tea broth, and experience the unique charm of Zhangping Daffodil Tea in detail.
Health Benefits of Zhangping Daffodil Tea
Zhangping Daffodil Tea not only has an amazing flavor, it also has many health benefits. It is rich in tea polyphenols and catechins, which help in antioxidant, immunity, digestion and weight loss. In addition, moderate consumption of Zhangping Shui Xian tea can help lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease.
History and Culture of Zhangping Daffodil Tea
Zhangping Daffodil Tea is not only a treasure of tea, but also a business card of Zhangping City. Over the years, the Zhangping municipal government and tea farmers have been committed to the protection and inheritance of this traditional craft, and through a variety of tea competitions and tasting sessions to promote Zhangping Daffodil Tea. 2009, Zhangping Daffodil Tea received the protection of the National Geographical Indication of Agricultural Products, which not only improves its market visibility, but also for the tea farmers to bring a better economic benefits. The
concluding remarks
As the only tightly pressed oolong tea in China, Zhangping Daffodil tea has attracted more and more tea lovers with its unique production process and charming aroma and flavor. If you haven't tried this kind of tea yet, why not taste it yourself? I believe its unique flavor will make you fall in love with it.
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