Great Green Tea: Half from West Lake, Half from Thousand Island Lake

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 When people think of China’s finest green tea, they picture West Lake in Hangzhou—the villages of Longjing and Meijiawu, Emperor Qianlong’s legendary “Eighteen Imperial Tea Bushes,” and a cup of flat, jade-green leaves releasing delicate chestnut notes. And they’re not wrong. West Lake Longjing is indeed one of China’s most iconic teas. But few know that 150 kilometers southwest of Hangzhou, amid the emerald waters of Thousand Island Lake, lies another chapter of tea history—one far older, equally profound, and unjustly overlooked. Here, during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), tribute tea known as Jiukeng Maojian was sent to the imperial court. Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea, recorded its origin in his Classic of Tea (Cha Jing). Centuries later, seeds from this very land would travel to Japan, Kenya, and beyond, shaping green tea across continents. Today, protected as a Class-I national water source, this region bans chemical pesticides entirely—yielding tea of unmatched purity and freshnes...

Tea people, tea gardens, tea trees

 




Tea, as an elegant plant, exudes its unique charm in every corner of the world. Within this, tea people, tea gardens, and tea trees form a wonderful symbiotic system that creates the magic of tea.

Tea people, these tea-loving individuals, infuse tea with infinite possibilities through their wisdom and passion. From planting tea trees, picking tea leaves, to processing tea, every step is filled with admiration and respect for tea. Their lives revolve around tea, pursuing a quiet and introverted way of life philosophy. The skills, experience, and heritage of tea people bring rich stories and emotions to every cup of tea.

Tea gardens are the domain of tea people and the playground for tea trees to grow. They provide not only the essentials for tea tree growth such as light, water, and air, but also nourish the souls of tea people. Within the tea garden, tea trees and tea people grow and transform together with each season. The carefully tended tea gardens are the crystallization of tea people's efforts and the foundation of their lives.

As the source of tea, tea trees bear witness to the hard work of tea people and the charm of tea gardens. They showcase the quality and characteristics of tea through their own growth patterns. Every cup of tea leaf is a unique expression of the tea tree, imbued with deep natural qualities. The numerous varieties of tea trees, each with their own unique growth environments and processing methods, give rise to the infinite variations of aroma and taste in tea.

Tea culture is an ancient way of life and a spiritual pursuit. It originates from people's respect for nature, love for life, and desire for harmony. Within tea culture, we see the harmonious coexistence of people and nature, the craftsmanship of tea artisans, and people's pursuit of a better life.

The development of the tea industry not only provides people with high-quality tea but also injects vitality into local economic development. With the progress of technology and our deepening understanding of the natural environment, the tea industry is constantly innovating and developing. More environmentally friendly and sustainable methods of tea planting and processing have been introduced, resulting in improved quality and yield of tea.

Looking back on this topic, we cannot but express our respect for the tea people who silently dedicate their efforts to carefully nurturing each cup of tea, as well as the tea gardens and trees that carry the weight of history and culture. It is their collective efforts and dedication that allow us to savor the wonders of tea and experience its serene and enjoyable qualities.

In the future, let us cherish this natural gift even more, respect the efforts of every tea person, and carefully taste the flavor of every cup of tea. Let us enjoy the beauty of tea while also understanding and protecting our tea gardens and tea trees, allowing this wonderful industry to continue to flourish and pass down to future generations.


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