Jiangsu contributes to UNESCO recognition of China’s traditional tea-making

2022-12-01 14:47:00

China’s traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on November 29.

The country’s 15 provinces joined efforts, such as the 44 programs already honored nationally, to apply for the recognition. Jiangsu contributed to the endeavor with three of its programs – Nanjing Yuhua Tea and Suzhou Biluochun Tea processing techniques and Yangzhou Fuchun Tea refreshments making techniques.

Yuhua Tea under processing. Photo/Shao Dan

Nanjing has a long history of tea cultivation and production. Chen Shengfeng, a master of Yuhua Tea making, said he feels pound to help gain the UNESCO inscription after promoting the visibility of the tea-making techniques since 2006, such as drafting the documents and participating expert meetings.

Biluochun is one of the ten most famous teas in China, and the processing techniques in Suzhou was one of the third batch of items on the national intangible cultural heritage list. Shi Yuewen, an inheritor of Biluochun tea-making, is confident about the future of the aromatic tea and hopes that it will be exported to more countries.

Biluochun Tea in Suzhou. Photo/Hua Xuegen

Yangzhou was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and the city’s Fuchun Tea refreshments making techniques was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage by the State Council in 2008. Although not a major tea plantation area, Yangzhou enjoys a high reputation for the refreshments to pair with tea represented by Fuchun Teahouse.

Fuchun tea and refreshments. Photo/Shao Dan

Xu Yinghong, general manager of Fuchun Group, said that the brand features the original Kui Long Zhu, a blend that consists of 3 types of teas made in Anhui, Zhejiang and the teahouse itself. Since its inception in 1921, Kui Long Zhu is still much-loved today for the unique fragrance and texture.