Basic Introduction to Luo Village Tea
Tea, cherished by all ethnic groups in China, is seen as an enjoyment of life, a bond of friendship, and a symbol of civilization.
Tongjiang is one of the ancient tea-producing counties in China, with a long history of tea production and a rich culture. According to historical records, Fan Zhen of the Song Dynasty wrote in “Records of Dongzhai” that there were eight tea-producing regions in Sichuan: Mengding in Yazhou… Luo Village in Lizhou. Mengding is considered the best, followed by Luo Village, where the tea is green and has a sweet taste. In 1984, based on the verification of traditional manufacturing techniques by science and technology experts, this historic tea was revived. Among modern Chinese teas, Luo Village Tea stands out as a superior product in terms of color, aroma, flavor, and shape.
Product Characteristics
The quality characteristics of Luo Village Tea: flat, straight, uniform shape; tender green color; fragrant, lasting aroma; light green, clear Infusion; fresh, sweet taste; yellow-green, bright leaf base.
History and Folk Customs
Tea, the national Drink of China, is also a highly esteemed, civilized, healthy green beverage enjoyed by people worldwide. In China, it is said that “one can go three days without food but not a single day without tea.”
The history of tea production in Tongjiang dates back to the Song Dynasty when the scale and quality of its tea production gained fame throughout China, and Luo Village Tea was among the eight famous teas in Sichuan. Currently, the county has over 55,000 mu (approx. 3,667 hectares) of tea gardens, with 30,000 mu (approx. 2,000 hectares) in production. In 2005, the county produced 820 tons of tea, including 25 tons of premium tea and 380 tons of high-quality tea, generating a revenue of 26.85 million yuan. The production of premium teas has been rapidly developing, and a significant base for premium tea production has been established. Since the 1990s, several historic and innovative teas such as “Tiangang Silver Bud,” “Tiangang Mist,” “Luo Village Eyebrow,” “Folong Fragrant Tea,” “Hanlin Tea,” “Hancheng Silver Tip,” and “Longhu Silver Bud” have received provincial and ministerial-level awards. By 2002, 20,000 mu (approx. 1,333 hectares) of premium tea bases, 10,000 mu (approx. 667 hectares) of Grade A green food (tea), and 15,000 mu (approx. 1,000 hectares) of pesticide-free tea bases had been established. Tongjiang receives ample rainfall, has a suitable climate, and its soil is rich in selenium. Its tea gardens are far from factories and agricultural fields, and the forest coverage rate is high, providing an excellent ecological environment. This environment is ideal for establishing ecological and efficient tea gardens and for producing safe, hygienic, nutritious high-end teas, pesticide-free teas, green food teas, and organic teas.
Manufacturing Method
Luo Village Tea uses the initial unfolding of one bud and one leaf as raw material, typically harvested around Qingming. The production process includes: sorting → wilting → pan-firing → dispersing (air cooling) → preliminary Drying → shaping → rehumidifying → baking → grading and packaging.
Awards and Honors Received by Luo Village Tea
In the Tang and Song Dynasties, its quality surpassed many others, ranking it among the eight famous teas in Sichuan. It won the certificate and trophy for high-quality tea at the Third “Ganlu Cup” in Sichuan Province in 1994. In 2005, it won first prize at the China Tea Cup.