Zhangzhou Tea Factory: A Brand of Memories

In Zhangzhou, Fujian, there is a popular saying: “Riding the wind and flying horses through the Great Front Gate, the fragrant varieties and One Branch of Spring.” The brands Fragrant, Color Variety, and One Branch of Spring all originated from the Zhangzhou Tea Factory. Decades of dedication have made it carry a unique sentiment for the people of Zhangzhou, becoming a vivid testament and precious legacy to the city's century-old tea culture development. It is not only a historical memory for the older generation of Zhangzhou but also has won the praise and affection of the people of Zhangzhou with its unique quality and taste. Over the long course of time, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory continues to write the legendary tale of tea in this city with its timeless charm.

Workshop operations in the 1970s and 1980s

Exterior view of the old factory

The Fujian Zhangzhou Tea Factory was founded in 1954 and is one of the key enterprises in domestic trade within Fujian Province. It is also the largest commercially-operated industrial enterprise in the provincial supply and marketing system, undergoing a transition from manual operation to mechanization and automation. In 1986, it reached its historical peak, producing millions of catties of tea annually, which were exported to Japan, the United States, and Southeast Asian countries. At that time, the factory had over 300 permanent employees, and during peak production seasons, the number of temporary workers reached up to 1,300, creating quite a spectacular scene. The Zhangzhou Tea Factory received numerous honors, including “Advanced Unit in Production Safety,” “Outstanding Unit in Equipment Management by the Ministry of Commerce,” and “Provincial Advanced Enterprise.” Its main export products were designated under the “S” series, among which “S201” (First Grade Color Variety) won the title of Provincial Superior Product in 1983. Domestic sales included over 20 different varieties such as the “Zhishan” brand Tieguanyin, Huangdan, Longzhu, One Branch of Spring, Fragrant, and Color Variety.

With changes in the market, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory encountered difficulties several times. Starting in 2014, the leadership of the Zhangzhou Supply and Marketing Cooperative led multiple investigations and promotional activities, reviving the taste of Zhangzhou tea. The Oolong teas produced by the factory are characterized by their tight or compact shape, dark luster, pure fragrance, and clear taste. Their orange-yellow liquor has appropriate roasting, with distinct grades. With the commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship without exaggeration and offering good value, they have been well-received and achieved significant social benefits. Upholding the philosophy of “Inheritance without being bound by tradition, Innovation without forgetting the essence,” in 2016, the factory focused on fully utilizing the technical heritage, talent reserves, and professional strengths of the old state-owned enterprise while preserving its classic products. These deep foundations and advantages provided strong support for gradually restoring and enhancing the production of old brand products. They also developed 11 new varieties, including “Xiazhang” brand “Red Fragrant,” “Cinnamon,” “Red Peony,” and “Golden Tieguanyin,” which were introduced to the market. Additionally, they printed factory introductions and three different styles of handbags to enhance the corporate image. Calligraphers were hired to write product names such as “Color Variety,” “Tieguanyin,” and “Oolong Tea” free of charge, boosting the company's reputation. Efforts were made to apply for and secure support projects, establishing a tea storage center and upgrading workshop equipment. In terms of packaging, automatic packaging machines were introduced to produce young people-friendly tea with kraft paper packaging. The factory frequently appeared at tea expos, setting up booths to promote its products. Due to the theme of “old brand, nostalgic flavor,” each exhibition became a highlight, attracting many consumers. Many provincial and municipal leaders visited the exhibition hall and gave high praise. To expedite the Zhangzhou Tea Factory's online presence, the Zhangzhou Supply and Marketing Cooperative established an e-commerce platform, with the factory's products as the main feature, attracting social forces to conduct daily online marketing.

In June 2025, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory built the “Zhangzhou Traditional Oolong Tea Refining Craft” Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall. In July of the same year, this craft was listed in the seventh batch of municipal-level representative projects of intangible cultural heritage. In March 2025, it was listed in the sixth batch of provincial-level representative projects of intangible cultural heritage. In 2025, Lin Yanteng and Lin Ruixiang, tea-making masters of the factory, were awarded the title of Fujian Skill Master Studio Directors, and the company's products were hailed by the Minnan Daily as “nostalgia for the throat” and listed by the city museum as a representative product of the Maritime Silk Road.

Addressing the urgent issues facing agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory, under the guidance of the Zhangzhou Supply and Marketing Cooperative, actively engaged in serving agricultural industries and promoting rural revitalization. To deepen cooperation with tea farmers and suppliers, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory carefully constructed a 5,000-acre export tea base in Pinghe, Nanjing, Hua'an, and other places, aiming to provide more stable and broader market channels for tea farmers. As intangible cultural heritage bearers, the experts of the Zhangzhou Tea Factory frequently went deep into tea-growing regions to offer free agricultural training and guidance to tea farmers using their professional knowledge and rich experience. They not only imparted tea planting and processing techniques but also provided guidance on pest and disease control and market trend analysis, helping impoverished tea farmers improve their overall quality and self-development capabilities.

Participating in the “One County One Week” Famous and Special Quality Agricultural Products Display and Sales Day on March 6th

To further enhance the brand's reputation and influence, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory actively participated in various exhibitions and sales events, continuously expanding the scope of brand promotion. Last year, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory participated in several influential expos, fully showcasing the charm of its premium teas. From March 24th to 26th, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory appeared at the “One County One Week” Famous and Special Quality Agricultural Products 2025 Spring Exhibition held in Xiamen, gathering a variety of excellent products and attracting the attention of many customers with its unique tea quality and profound cultural heritage. On September 21st, outstanding employees were recommended to participate in the 2025 Fujian Rural Industry Revitalization Leader Training “Lead Geese” Project Agricultural Products Promotion and Tasting Conference held at Zhejiang University, providing not only a platform for displaying products but also valuable opportunities for exchanges with industry experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs. On September 22nd, the factory participated in the “One County One Week” Famous and Special Quality Agricultural Products Display and Sales and the 2025 Celebration of Harvest “Autumn Consumption Season · Supply and Marketing Cooperation in Action” event organized by the Fujian Supply and Marketing Cooperative, winning consistent praise from both consumers and industry insiders once again due to its exceptional quality and unique appeal. From November 30th to December 3rd, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory participated alongside the Culture, Tourism, and Health Group in the 2025 Cross-Straits Modern Agriculture Expo & Cross-Straits Flowers Expo, shining brightly and providing an opportunity for cooperation and exchange with domestic and overseas enterprises.

List of Award-Winning Products from Zhangzhou Tea Factory in Recent Years

Over the years, the Zhangzhou Tea Factory has sent tea samples to participate in various exhibitions and competitions, winning numerous awards and honors. Among these awards are over 40 products, including the “Xiazhang” brand Fragrant, Color Variety, One Branch of Spring, Longzhu, Huangdan, and Tieguanyin.