Setting Sail (Part1)

Special Topic on "China Tea(Fujian)'s 75th Anniversary Review & Outlook - Butterfly flapping wings spreading refined brews across the world"

 

Subject One: Setting Sail

Part 1: Origin - Fujian is a land steeped with the fragrance of tea  

Part 2: Birth - The Founding of the predecessor – Fuzhou Branch of China Tea  

Part 3: Source - The "Butterfly" came into being

Fujian is a land enveloped in the lingering fragrance of tea. Its unique geographical environment and climatic conditions have nurtured a great variety of distinctive teas, including oolong tea, black tea, white tea, jasmine tea, and green tea. The Ancient Tea Road, stretching thousands of miles, began its journey from this very place.

 

In the early Tang Dynasty, tea manufacture in Fujian was mainly concentrated in Fuzhou and Jianzhou. Fifteen miles east of Fuzhou lies Chayuan Mountain, where tea was planted and grown. During the Northern Song Dynasty, the production process of jasmine tea initially emerged in Fuzhou. Driven by the prosperity of tea industry in the Ming Dynasty as well as the boom of tea trade in the Qing Dynasty, Fuzhou earned the title of "Tea Port" for its massive tea exports to European and American countries. During the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty, Fuzhou jasmine tea became tribute tea and began large-scale commercial production.

 

From the 1860s to the 1870s, Fuzhou's tea trade entered its golden era. The annual tea export of Fuzhou Port accounted for approximately 40% of China's total tea export, becoming the largest port in terms of tea export. Fuzhou, together with Shanghai and Hankou, ranked among "China's Three Major Tea Markets".

 

Fuzhou boasts its rich and diverse tea customs and culture, such as the tea offerings at Yongquan Temple, tea-drinking at street-side tea stalls, and tea rituals in wedding ceremony. These reflect Fuzhou people's love for tea and their commitment to inheriting traditional culture.

Container Terminal of Mawei Port

 

In Fuzhou, Fujian, there stands a tea company established shortly after the founding of New China: China Tea (Fujian).

 

It is a initiator and representative of Fujian's tea industry of the New China.

 

Since 1950, it has been engaged in the export of Fujian tea. Its products, including jasmine tea, white tea, oolong tea, black tea, green tea and others, have gained popularity among over 60 countries and regions overseas, becoming a bridge connecting Fujian with the world’s economy, trade, and culture.

 

 

(To be continued...)

 

Special Topic on "China Tea(Fujian)'s 75th Anniversary Review & Outlook - Butterfly flapping wings spreading refined brews across the world"

Subject One: Setting Sail

Part 1: Origin - Fujian is a land steeped with the fragrance of tea 

Part 2: Birth - The Founding of the predecessor – Fuzhou Branch of China Tea

Part 3: Source - The "Butterfly" came into being 

Sources: China Tea(Fujian), June 10.2025