Basic Introduction to Pu'an Black Tea

Pu'an black Tea is a specialty product of Pu'an County, Guizhou Province, and a Chinese national geographical indication (GI) product. In July 2016, the original General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine approved geographical indication product protection for “Pu'an Black Tea.” The specific geographic protection area includes the following twelve towns and townships: Louxia Town, Qingshan Town, Xindian Town, Luohan Town, Digua Town, Jiangxipo Town, Gaomian Township, Longyin Town, Xingzhong Town, Baisha Township, Nanhu Subdistrict, and Panshui Subdistrict.

The Pu'an black tea, a type of工夫 black tea, has a fine, tight, and slender appearance with many peaks and buds, is uniform and clean, with a bright reddish color; it has a fresh and lasting aroma; its liquor is bright red and concentrated; the taste is smooth and mellow; the infused leaves are tender, even, and bright red. The black broken tea has a tight, solid appearance with visible golden tips, is uniform and lustrous in color; it has a fresh and strong aroma that lasts; the taste is strong, fresh, and refreshing; the liquor is bright red; the infused leaves are tender, even, and bright red.

Nutritional Value

Black tea can help digest food, stimulate appetite, promote diuresis, eliminate edema, and strengthen heart function. The rich flavonoids in black tea can eliminate free radicals and have an anti-oxidative effect, reducing the incidence of myocardial infarction. According to Traditional Chinese medicine, teas are divided into cold and hot varieties, such as Green Tea which is bitter and cold, suitable for summer consumption to relieve heat; black tea and Pu'er tea are warmer, more suitable for winter drinking. Oolong Tea and Tieguanyin are relatively neutral.

Product Characteristics

1. Gongfu Black Tea: It has a fine, tight, and slender appearance with many peaks and buds, is uniform and clean, with a bright reddish color; it has a fresh and lasting aroma; its liquor is bright red and concentrated; the taste is smooth and mellow; the infused leaves are tender, even, and bright red.

2. Black Broken Tea: It has a tight, solid appearance with visible golden tips, is uniform and lustrous in color; it has a fresh and strong aroma that lasts; the taste is strong, fresh, and refreshing; the liquor is bright red; the infused leaves are tender, even, and bright red.

3. Harvesting: Single buds or one bud with one leaf unfurled, one bud with two leaves unfurled, one bud with two or three leaves, and equally tender opposite leaves are harvested;

History and Folklore

Pu'an County is located at 104°51′10″–105°09′24″ east longitude and 25°18′31″–26°10′35″ north latitude, with an altitude ranging from 1,500 to 2,200 meters. The climate is mild throughout the year, without severe cold in winter or extreme heat in summer. The annual average temperature is 13.7°C, with an average January temperature of 4.6°C and an average July temperature of 20.7°C. The annual average precipitation is 1,395.3 millimeters. High altitude, low latitude, limited sunlight, abundant rainfall, foggy conditions, and no pollution create ideal natural conditions for high-quality organic ecological tea cultivation in Pu'an. Moreover, the air, water, and soil are unpolluted, with low heavy metal content and rich organic matter in the soil, making it an excellent location for high-altitude ecological tea cultivation. Pu'an-grown tea passed the EU's 481-item SGS agency test, meeting all standards. The slow growth of tea in Pu'an results in thick leaves and buds containing abundant substances, giving the processed tea a high fragrance, rich taste, and long-lasting flavor. Due to climatic and environmental factors, the tea harvest time in Pu'an is the earliest in China, earning it the reputation of “The First Spring of Guizhou Tea.”

The unique geographical environment and climatic conditions of Pu'an County have nurtured Pu'an black tea with a plump appearance, visible downy tips, bright red liquor, a high and sharp aroma with a natural floral scent, and a rich, sweet taste. Currently, Pu'an black tea is divided into the Pu'an Red Leaf Tea series and the Pu'an CTC Black Broken Tea series. Its liquor is bright red, festive in color, smooth and harmonious on the palate, and elegant and lasting in aroma. The tea's appearance is graceful and enduring. Its registered trademark was originally “Funiang Black Tea,” derived from the traditional Pu'an Buyi ethnic group's craft tea “Funiang Tea.” This tea is made by fortunate Buyi women. It has a profound history, originating in the Ming Dynasty and having a history of over 600 years. It is crafted using young one-bud-and-one-leaf shoots during the Qingming Festival through special processing techniques, integrating culture, craftsmanship, and practicality. As a special product of the Buyi nationality, it boasts excellent quality and is a rare delicacy used to entertain honored guests, featuring five characteristics: timing, technique, intention, rhyme, and aroma.

Currently, Pu'an Hongxin Tea Industry Development Co., Ltd. has imported a production line capable of producing 1,500 tons of CTC black broken tea and 10 tons of premium leaf-shaped black tea annually from India. During production, contact between humans and tea is reduced by 80%, minimizing cross-contamination. Parameter control ensures more stable quality. The produced products are of high quality, characterized by “concentration, strength, freshness, and refreshment,” with excellent direct drinking taste, and even better when mixed with milk, fruit juice, or honey. These products have obtained certifications and recognitions including “Organic Conversion Product Certification,” “Export Goods Base Registration,” “SGS EU 481-item inspection results all qualified,” “ISO9001-2008,” and “ISO22000-2005.”

Awards and Honors for Pu'an Black Tea

In July 2016, the original General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine approved geographical indication product protection for “Pu'an Black Tea”;

On July 16, 2025, Pu'an Black Tea received a public notice for registration of a Chinese agricultural product geographical indication;

On September 4, 2025, Pu'an Black Tea was approved as a protected Chinese agricultural product geographical indication;