[National Geographical Indication Products] Weishan Maojian Tea

Weishan Maojian Tea was approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) as National Geographical Indication Product in November 2016.

According to the announcement, the Weishan Maojian Tea under GI protection is geographically originated in all around Weishan Township, Longquan Village and Haoxi Village of Huangcai Town, Shichong Village and Huanghe Village of Xiangzikou Town, and Qingyanghu State-owned forest farm.

As of the end of 2016, Weishan area has tea planting bases of 16,000 mu (about 1067 hectares). The Weishan Maojian tea output reached 1.2 million kilograms by the end of October 2016.

Weishan Township, located in a basin surrounded by mountains, enjoys a moderate climate and few sunshine which is favorable for tea planting. The annual rainfall averages 1670 mm, while relative air humidity exceeding 80%. The yellow soil here is fertile, cultivating lush tea trees.

Weishan Maojian tea adopts buds and fresh leaves picked during Qingming period, the 5th solar term of Chinese lunisolar calendar which always falls on the early April. The following procedures include fixation, yellowing, light rolling, curing, and smoking, among which the last is unique for Weishan Maojian tea.

Weishan Maojian tea's leaves are thin and in brightly yellow-green color, with tiny fuzz in cup when brewed. It is favored by people in border areas, and sold well worldwide as a treasure gift of Chinese tea.

Chinese former leaders, such as Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, and Hua Guofeng, as well as Chinese personage born in Ningxiang, including Xie Juezai, Gan Siqi, and Zhou Guangzhao, all spoke highly of Weishan Maojian tea, and promoted it to the world.

In 1986, Weishan Maojian Tea was awarded a certificate of quality and famous product; and, in 1988, it won bronze medal at the first China Food Expo.

Chinese source: www.nxgov.com  baike.baidu.com