This black tea is made using the traditional Tan Yang Gongfu processing techniques, using the Jin Guanyin tea tree variety cultivated by experts as the raw material. Its most noticeable characteristic is a fruity aroma with a hint of honey fragrance, which is more prominent than traditional Tan Yang Gongfu black tea. Its leaves still retain the typical appearance of Gongfu black tea, tightly twisted and with a black and glossy color. It has a good lingering sweetness upon tasting and a high freshness.

The Early Saiki Port

Basic Information

Tan Yang Gongfu Black Tea is a type of black tea and is one of the three major Gongfu black teas in Fujian Province (Tan Yang, Bai Lin, Zheng He). It was awarded the gold prize at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The tea is produced in Tan Yang Village, Fu'an City, Fujian Province.

In 1915, at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, Tan Yang Gongfu Black Tea, along with famous teas like Qi Men Hong Cha and Hunan Hong Cha, won the gold prize, earning it the title of the "Pride of Chinese Tea."

Tan Yang Gongfu Black Tea gets its name from its place of origin and the traditional processing method used to create it.

About The Name

This tea comes from the Tan Yang Village in the Fujian province of China. The term "Gongfu" in its name refers to the meticulous and skillful brewing method used to craft the tea. "Gongfu" translates to "skill" or "effort" in Chinese and is often associated with the diligent and precise approach used to brew Chinese teas.

The Once Prosperous Tan Yang Gongfu Large-Scale Workshop

Historical Background

Fu'an is situated along the Changxi River system, with Tan Yang being part of the upstream tributary in the west. In the past, the transportation network along the Changxi River was crucial for both goods and people, providing necessary logistical support for the development of the local tea industry.

Before the advent of Tan Yang Gongfu Black Tea, Tan Yang Village primarily produced roasted green tea with a natural floral aroma, particularly from the blooming osmanthus flowers on Gui Xiang Mountain in August. This "Gui Xiang Tea" became a signature product of Tan Yang Village.

However, with changing tea market dynamics, Gui Xiang Tea faced a decline in sales, transforming from a sought-after commodity to an unsold one. The tea business, along with tea farmers, faced challenges until 1851 when a tea merchant from northern Fujian introduced the method of producing black tea to Tan Yang Village. This marked the beginning of Tan Yang Gongfu Black Tea's success, with the tea reaching the only tea export port in China at the time, Fuzhou Port, and embarking on a lucrative international trade route.

Tan Yang Village With Its Nostalgic Charm

The early Tan Yang Gongfu black tea was handmade, and the traditional production techniques developed in 1851 have been passed down for 170 years, earning it a spot in the third batch of intangible cultural heritage in Fujian Province in 2009.

Growing Environment

Fu'an City is situated between mountains and the sea, characterized by middle and low mountains and hills. The Changxi River runs north to south through the region, forming highlands in the northwest and low valleys in the middle. Tea plantations are mainly distributed in these hilly areas. The region experiences a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, with the northwest blocked by Jiufeng Mountain, Donggong Mountain, and Baiyun Mountain, preventing cold waves. The southeast is influenced by a maritime monsoon, resulting in a warm and humid climate with ample sunlight and abundant rainfall. The average annual temperature ranges from 13.6°C to 19.8°C, with an average frost-free period of 230 to 300 days. The average annual rainfall ranges from 1350 to 2050 millimeters, with a relative humidity of 78% to 83%, and an average annual sunshine duration of 1905.8 hours. The main soil types in tea plantations are red and yellow soils, with a depth of over 1 meter, organic matter content exceeding 1%, and soil pH ranging from 5.0 to 6.5.

Tan Yang Black Tea Waiting To Be Exported (Captured In The Mid-20th Century)

Classification

Since 2004, in addition to cultivating Cai Tea, Fu'an has introduced new varieties such as Jin Mudan, Dan Gui, Jin Guanyin, and Huang Guanyin from the Tea Research Institute. These newcomers have broken the boundaries of traditional tea categories, giving rise to floral and fruity varieties of Tan Yang Gongfu Black Tea.

Since 2004, in addition to cultivating Cai Tea, Fu'an has introduced new varieties such as Jin Mudan, Dan Gui, Jin Guanyin, and Huang Guanyin from the Tea Research Institute. These newcomers have broken the boundaries of traditional Tan Yang Gongfu black tea categories, giving rise tohigh fragrance type Tan Yang Gongfu black teas.

Elevate your tea experience with Tan Yang Gongfu, an embodiment of heritage and craftsmanship, and let the legacy of this exceptional black tea become a cheris