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It's All About Tea — chinese tea

Liu Bao with Tiffany. Interview with an expert on Hei Cha

Posted by Misha Gulko on

During our last visit to China, while in Shenzhen, we visited Tiffany Lau. Tiffany is Liu Bao tea collector, editor-in-chief of "Liubao Tea Microjournal", national tea evaluator and identification expert of Liu Bao Tea. She served as a judge for Liu Bao Tea Battle Competition sessions. Over the years, Tiffany promoted Liubao Tea Culture to tea enthusiasts both domestically and internationally through many articles, videos, and offline tea gatherings. We had many teas and a long conversation about all things tea. This blog post is a compilation of our friendly talk over numerous cups of Hei Cha, put in the form of an interview for the convenience of reading. We hope you'll find it insightful. (Read More)

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Modern Tea Farming: Observations from Our Trip to China

Posted by Misha Gulko on

Our recent journey to China took us through Guangdong, Northern Fujian, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang (among other places), immersing us in these regions' rich cultures. We had the privilege of meeting many amazing tea masters and pottery craftsmen. Each conversation, every encounter, and the countless cups of tea we shared provided a wealth of knowledge and insights into the current state of tea farming and craftsmanship.

We observed several intriguing trends and shifts in the world of tea. From the urban migration of tea farmers to the rise of young, innovative tea masters, the landscape of tea production is undergoing significant changes. However, it's important to note that these observations are limited by the short duration of our stay and the natural constraints of such an exploration.

This blog post aims to share some of these observations and reflections, providing a glimpse into China's dynamic and ever-evolving world of tea farming and craftsmanship. Join us as we explore how modern influences are shaping Chinese tea farming and the challenges it faces today. (Read More)

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The Green Tea of China – Part 2

Posted by Boyka Mihaylova on

In the previous blogpost, we started exploring the most prominent areas that produce the best green tea of China. We witnessed the balance between production volume output and the distinctive local craftsmanship and cultural heritage that shaped some of China's signature loose-leaf green tea's image to the world.

Today, we continue with the two other major green tea production clusters—the Central and Western belts. Both belts comprise three provinces each, accounting for about two-thirds of the total green tea output volume on the mainland. (Read More)

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Chinese Green Tea Production Regions

Posted by Boyka Mihaylova on

Chinese Green tea has a history going back several millennia. It is the first type of tea that ever existed. It was also the prime material from which the six main types of tea originated and developed. China spreads across five climatic zones, ensuring various soil types, sunshine, temperature, and rainfall. All of them create different terroirs, reflected in the multitude of local tea tree varieties and their specifics in taste, aroma, flavor, and appearance. Additionally, the rich historical and cultural heritage of the country provided rich craftsmanship, which, along with the local culture, further deepened the significance of certain Green tea types, turning them into symbols of significant cultural importance, carrying a historical legacy of the crafts, customs, and spirituality that shaped the face of a region and its people.

Let's explore this rich legacy and dive into the most significant producing areas in Chinese green tea, following the craft, the legends, …and our taste buds! (Read More)

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Exploring the Tea Plant: Sinensis, Assamica and more

Posted by Boyka Mihaylova on

The heart of tea's diversity lies in its countless varieties, each contributing its taste, aroma, and flavor to the world of tea. The major varieties, Camellia Sinensis and Camellia Assamica, are well-known in the tea community for the wide array of tea flavors and textures they give birth to. However, beyond these popular varieties exists a realm of lesser known species that play a crucial role in the rich and varied world of tea.

This article aims to explore the depth of tea varieties, from the renowned to the rare. We'll dive into each variety's history, characteristics, and unique qualities, offering a comprehensive look at the plants that create our beloved beverage. At the same time, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of the tea plant and create a more vibrant and detailed representation of the rich world of flavors, aromas, and tastes induced by the vast array of tea varieties out there. (Read More)

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