Japanese enthusiasts immerse in Qingzhen's tea culture

A group of Japanese tea enthusiasts visited the Hongfeng Shanyun Tea Cultural Experience Center in Qingzhen on June 8 for an in-depth tea tourism experience, aiming to spend the day immersed in the century-old intangible cultural heritage of Mu family tea-making techniques.

The Mu family tea-making technique, passed down through five generations, was developed by Guizhou tea master Mu Yingshu. This technique has been used to create famous Guizhou teas such as "Silver Gem", "Red Gem", and "Green Gem". Mu Xiaoling, the third-generation inheritor of this craft, decided to provide Japanese tea enthusiasts with a deeper understanding of "Mu's green tea".

Japanese tea enthusiasts pick fresh tea leaves at Hongfeng Shanyun. [Photo/Tianyan News]

The experience began with the group picking fresh tea leaves on the mountains of Hongfeng Shanyun. Mu Xiaoling explained the standards and techniques for picking tea leaves, demonstrating how to pick efficiently with both hands. 

Back in the tea-making area, Mu Xiaoling detailed the family's "four fryings and three rollings" process. She explained each step and the technical nuances required to make "Mu's green tea".

Japanese tea enthusiasts try their hand at the tea-making process. [Photo/Tianyan News]

The enthusiasts listened attentively, eager to try their hand at the process. After two hours, the handcrafted "Mu's green tea" was ready. The visitors felt a great sense of accomplishment drinking the tea that they had made themselves and repeatedly praised the experience, saying, "This is so interesting. Chinese tea-making techniques are truly amazing and impressive."

The enthusiasts will continue their journey through Qiandongnan, Anshun, and Tongren, exploring Guizhou's tea culture and tea tourism, sharing the allure of Guizhou's scenic beauty and fragrant teas with friends back home.