Huizhou tea, or “Huicha” (徽茶), refers to the tea produced in the ancient Huizhou region, known for its rich tea culture and world-renowned varieties. The unique natural environment of Huizhou has provided an ideal setting for tea cultivation, resulting in a series of traditional teas that are celebrated both in China and around the globe. One of the earliest mentions of Huizhou tea can be found in the Dunhuang manuscript “Treatise on Tea and Wine,” which states, “Fuliang and Shezhou teas are sought by people from all nations,” illustrating the far-reaching influence of Huizhou tea even in ancient times.
Today, Huizhou is best known for producing famous teas such as Huangshan Maofeng, Keemun Black Tea (Qimen Hongcha), and Tunxi Green Tea (Tunsi Lücha).
Huangshan Maofeng
Huangshan Maofeng is one of China’s most famous historical teas. This tea is harvested annually around the Qingming and Guyu periods (early to mid-spring) when the first tender buds of the tea plants appear. The leaves are handpicked and carefully pan-fried. The resulting tea leaves are slightly curled, resembling the tongue of a sparrow, with a pale yellowish-green hue and silver tips. When brewed, Huangshan Maofeng produces a delicate mist on the surface, and the liquor has a bright yellow-green color. The tea’s flavor is mellow and sweet, with a lingering orchid-like fragrance. Its smooth taste and fragrant aroma have made it a favorite for generations, and it gets its name from the fact that the tea is grown in the high peaks of the Huangshan Mountains, with “Maofeng” referring to its signature white hair and sharp buds.
Keemun Black Tea (Qimen Hongcha)
Keemun Black Tea, known as “Qimen Hongcha” or simply “Qihong,” is one of the finest black teas in the world. This tea is distinguished by its unique and long-lasting fragrance, often described as a blend of fruit and orchid. In the international tea market, this characteristic aroma is specifically called the “Keemun aroma.” When brewed, Keemun tea yields a brilliant red liquor with a rich, smooth taste and a long-lasting finish. Its reputation reached new heights when it was served to the Queen of England during her visit to China, and it has since become a beloved beverage of the British royal family.
Tunxi Green Tea (Tunxi Lücha)
Tunxi Green Tea, also known as “Tunlü” or “Eyebrow Tea,” gets its name from its concentrated production area around the base of the Huangshan Mountains, including Xiuning, Shexian, Wuyuan, and Jixi counties. The various green teas produced in this region are gathered and distributed through Tunxi, leading to the collective name “Tunxi Green Tea.” This tea has been a premium tea in China for centuries. It first gained international recognition during the Ming Dynasty and was exported to Europe and the Americas as early as 1913, earning the nicknames “the finest tea” and “green gold.”
Each of these teas represents the rich history and unique environment of Huizhou, and their exceptional quality continues to be cherished by tea enthusiasts worldwide.