Abstract: Ancient records about Mount Meng's Ganlu Tea are rich and detailed, revealing not only its deep historical roots and cultural significance but also providing valuable information for understanding and researching the tea's production techniques, quality characteristics, and medicinal value. This article analyzes the historical origins, cultural significance, production techniques and characteristics, values and benefits, applications and development, as well as the inheritance and protection of China's Mount Meng's Ganlu tea, to elaborate on its history, culture, and modern value. Due to the author's limited expertise, errors may occur; please bear with them (personal opinion; April 2024).

Keywords: China; Tea culture; Mount Meng's Ganlu; historical and cultural; value

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I. Historical Origins of Mount Meng's Ganlu Tea

1.1 Origin and Legends

Mount Meng's Ganlu tea, a gem of Chinese tea culture, is steeped in mystery and legend regarding its origin. According to historical records, this tea originated during the Western Han Dynasty, more than two thousand years ago. There is a widely circulated legend that during the reign of Emperor Gannü of the Western Han Dynasty, the immortal Wu Lizhen personally planted seven tea trees on Mount Meng, which are considered the ancestors of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea. Wu Lizhen was subsequently venerated as the “Tea Ancestor,” and Mount Meng was hailed as the “Holy Mountain of World Tea Culture.”

This legend not only adds an aura of mystique to Mount Meng's Ganlu tea but also reflects the ancient people's profound feelings and reverence for tea. Throughout the long history of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea, this legend has been passed down to the present day, becoming an important component of tea culture. Moreover, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea has become one of the representatives of Chinese tea culture due to its unique quality and taste.

In modern society, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea retains its unique charm. As people increasingly pursue a healthy lifestyle, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea is favored for its rich nutritional value and Health benefits. Additionally, its deep cultural heritage and distinctive production techniques attract more and more tea enthusiasts and consumers. Indeed, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea is not only a treasure of Chinese tea culture but also an essential carrier of excellent traditional Chinese culture.

1.2 Ancient Records

The historical origins of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea can be traced back to abundant ancient records. According to “The Records of Huayang,” cultivation of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea dates back to the Western Han Dynasty and has been passed down through thousands of years without decline in quality or reputation. The Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi praised Mount Meng tea in his poem “Qin and Tea,” stating that “the only water I know in music is pure water, and the old friend among teas is Mount Meng,” illustrating its status in the hearts of scholars and poets of the time. In the Song Dynasty, the scholar Wu Zhongfu wrote in his poem “Mount Meng Tea,” “the tea in Shu is revered as holy, and the flavor of Mount Meng is uniquely precious,” highlighting the outstanding quality of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea among teas from Shu.

Ancient records not only document the historical origins of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea but also provide detailed descriptions of its production techniques and quality characteristics. According to “The Annals of Mount Meng,” the production process of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea is extremely meticulous, involving multiple steps such as picking, fixation, rolling, and drying. Each step requires precise handling to produce high-quality tea. Additionally, these records mention that Mount Meng's Ganlu tea has a unique aroma and taste, with a clear and bright infusion color and a fresh and sweet aftertaste, making it highly favored by ancient people.

Remarkably, ancient records also mention the medicinal value of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea. According to “Compendium of Materia Medica,” Mount Meng's Ganlu tea has properties of clearing heat and detoxifying, aiding digestion, and refreshing the mind, showing significant effects in treating some common illnesses. These records not only demonstrate the application value of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea in ancient medicine but also provide historical grounds for its health benefits in modern times.

In summary, the ancient records about Mount Meng's Ganlu tea are rich and detailed, revealing its deep historical roots and cultural significance while providing valuable materials for understanding and researching its production techniques, quality characteristics, and medicinal value. These records are not only a legacy and promotion of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea's history and culture but also an affirmation and recognition of its modern value.

1.3 Historical Spread and Influence

The historical spread and influence of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea have been far-reaching and extensive. Since the Tang Dynasty, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea has gradually become a topic of conversation among scholars and poets due to its unique quality and flavor. According to historical records, the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi praised Mount Meng's Ganlu tea as “the tea of Shu ranks first in the world, and the flavor of Mount Meng is uniquely precious,” highlighting its status in the tea world and promoting its widespread dissemination in the cultural realm.

In the Song Dynasty, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea became a tribute tea, with large quantities being sent to the imperial court each year for royal consumption. This measure not only enhanced the reputation of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea but also made it a symbol of status and identity. With the opening of the Tea-Horse Road, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea was also sold as far as the Western Regions, becoming an important medium for cultural exchange along the Silk Road.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the reach of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea further expanded. With the prosperity of tea trade, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea gradually entered ordinary households, becoming an indispensable beverage in daily life. Furthermore, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea gained wider dissemination through the poetry and writings of scholars and poets, whose works conveyed its unique cultural connotations and aesthetic values.

In modern society, the spread and influence of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea remain strong. As people's living standards improve and their health awareness increases, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea is favored for its unique health benefits. At the same time, with the development of tourism, more and more tourists visit Mount Meng, experiencing the unique charm of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea firsthand. Indeed, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea has become a bright business card of Chinese tea culture.

II. Cultural Significance of Mount Meng's Ganlu Tea

2.1 Mount Meng's Ganlu Tea in the Context of Tea Culture

Mount Meng's Ganlu tea, as a brilliant pearl in traditional Chinese tea culture, possesses a profound cultural heritage and unique quality characteristics, setting it apart in the tea world. Under the influence of tea culture, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea has not only become an art form of refined living but also carries rich historical connotations and humanistic sentiments.

The history of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, where it won the favor of scholars and poets for its unique taste and aroma. Under the influence of tea culture, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea gradually developed unique quality characteristics. Its leaves are bright green in color, fragrant and long-lasting in aroma, fresh and sweet in taste with a lingering aftertaste, clear and bright in infusion color, and uniform and tender in leaf base. These features set Mount Meng's Ganlu tea apart in the tea world, making it highly esteemed.

In the context of tea culture, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea also carries rich cultural connotations. Many scholars and poets left memorable poems and works while savoring Mount Meng's Ganlu tea. For example, the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi praised Mount Meng's Ganlu tea, saying, “the only water I know in music is pure water, and the old friend among teas is Mount Meng.” These verses not only praise the unique quality of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea but also showcase the deep heritage of tea culture.

Furthermore, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea plays an important role in the inheritance and development of tea culture. In modern society, as people's living standards improve and their health awareness grows, the market demand for Mount Meng's Ganlu tea continues to rise. Many tea companies and farmers are actively involved in the inheritance and protection of Mount Meng's Ganlu tea, promoting its wide application and development in modern society through exploring its cultural value, improving quality characteristics, and expanding sales channels.

In summary, under the context of tea culture, Mount Meng's Ganlu tea not only possesses unique quality characteristics and rich cultural connotations but also plays a vital role in the inheritance and development of tea culture. It is not only an art form of refined living but also an important carrier for preserving history and promoting culture.

2.2 Mount Meng's Ganlu in Poetry and