Tea from Shandong China

The text provides information about various types of tea and tea-producing regions in Shandong Province, China, along with some details about their characteristics, history, and processing methods.

Shandong Tea Production History 

• Shandong is historically known for its significant contributions to various aspects, including agriculture and culture.
• Tea production in Shandong began in the 1950s, overcoming unfavorable climatic conditions through modern technology.
• Rizhao is the largest tea-growing district in Shandong, known for its abundant sunshine.

Popular Teas in Shandong, China

The most popular teas originating from Shandong, China are:

• Rizhao Tea
• Fulaiqing Tea
• Taishan Tea

Rizhao Teas

• Xueqing Tea: The first local tea brand in Shandong, grown in greenhouses with stable temperatures to prevent frost and snow damage. Processed between January and February.
• Yunxiu Tea: Known for its chestnut scent, grown in a cloudy and misty environment. Rich in selenium and amino acids.
• Processing of Rizhao teas involves modern techniques such as soilless and pollution-free cultivation.
• The leaves are stirred, rolled (hot or cool rolling), and dried before selling.

Linyi Area and Fulaiqing Tea

• Fulaiqing tea is famous in the Linyi area, with its factory established in 1978.
• The tea factory focused on improving tea tree seedlings and later transformed into a modern tea processing factory.
• Fulaiqing tea was invented in 1995.

Taishan Tea

• Taishan Mountains in northern Shandong is the northernmost tea-producing area.
• The Taishan area has a humid and sunny climate during spring and autumn, with varying day-to-night temperatures that help accumulate nutrients.
• Popular brands include Jingkou and Taohuayu teas.

Characteristics of Shandong Teas

• Shandong teas are noted for their milder aroma compared to southern teas.
• The full aroma of Shandong tea is released only when fully steeped, making multi-brewing less efficient.
• Most northern teas, including Shandong teas, are machine-made, making them more affordable and abundant.
• Debates exist on whether modern techniques should replace traditional ones, with differing opinions among experts.

Coexistence of Modern and Traditional Tea Production

• The tea industry in Shandong combines modern and traditional methods.
• Small workshops coexist with large factories, catering to different consumer preferences and maintaining a healthy tea market.