Tea Culture of Yunnan
Tea is the world's leading non-alcoholic beverage. Due to the presence of various antioxidants and antioxidant nutrients, tea can effectively eliminate free radicals, thereby helping to prevent aging, promote longevity, and support health and wellness. Drinking tea can calm the mind and nurture our character. Many people achieve inner peace and self-cultivation by observing the changes in tea leaves in water, smelling the tea's fragrance, and savoring its taste while enjoying tea.
Sources of YunNan Tea Culture:
The history of Yunnan tea can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty, when tea trees were already being cultivated and tea was being produced in the Yunnan region. This indicates that Yunnan's tea culture had developed as early as ancient times. The history and culture of Yunnan tea are rich and diverse, with Pu-er tea culture being the most representative.
Origin of Tea:
Tea was first discovered and used in Yunnan Province, China. Shennong, a legendary figure in Chinese agriculture and medicine, is said to have accidentally discovered the benefits of tea leaves in 2737 BC. According to legend, while he was boiling water in the wild, some tea leaves fell into his boiling water and brewed tea.
Benefits of Tea:
Refreshes and stimulates the mind, aids digestion, helps with weight loss, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, boosts immunity, protects teeth, has anti-cancer properties, delays aging, and relieves stress.
The growth process and the environment of tea:
1. Climate Requirements:
The primary condition for growing tea trees is moderate sunlight, as they have a special preference for ultraviolet rays, making high mountains ideal for good tea. Temperature: First, air temperature; second, soil temperature. The daily average air temperature should be 10°C, with the minimum not falling below -10°C. Adequate rainfall is necessary, but excessive amounts can negatively impact quality.
2. Soil Requirements:
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Generally, the soil layer should be over 1 meter thick without limestone, with an organic matter content of more than 1%-2%, and good aeration, water permeability, or water retention properties. The PH value should be between 4.5 and 6.5.
3. Topography Requirements:
Tea plantation terrain conditions mainly include altitude, slope, and slope direction. With increasing altitude, temperature and humidity change significantly. In mountainous areas at certain heights, there is abundant rainfall, frequent mist, high air humidity, and strong diffuse light, which are beneficial for the growth of tea trees. Terraced fields are a good choice. Terraces are formed by building a series of horizontal, step-like plots on a slope, each layer resembling a giant step. This design effectively prevents soil erosion, maintains soil fertility, and increases land use efficiency. Terraces are usually built following the mountain's contour, extending from the foot to the top, resembling a series of stacked steps, creating a visually appealing landscape. Terraces are mainly used for growing crops like rice, especially suitable for areas with abundant rainfall but rugged terrain. In some places, terraces also grow tea trees, grapes, and other economic crops. The design of terraces allows for the efficient use of rainwater resources, with each terrace level retaining water, allowing it to infiltrate slowly, irrigating the fields and preventing soil erosion.