Basic Introduction to Xupu Yao Tea
Xupu Yao Tea is a specialty product of Xupu County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province, and is a Chinese national geographical indication product.
Xupu Yao Tea has been consumed in Xupu for over 1,500 years. Its scientific name is Litsea elongata, commonly known as sweet tea. The tea brews into a golden yellow color with a natural fragrance and a sweet taste. It contains high levels of total flavonoids and has beneficial preventive and therapeutic effects on diseases related to aging, earning it the nickname “herbal cordyceps.”
The scientific name of Xupu Yao Tea is Litsea elongata, also commonly known as sweet tea. It is mainly produced in the Xuefeng Mountains at an altitude of 300-800 meters in the southeast of Xupu County. Xupu County is located in the northern extension area of the main peak of the Xuefeng Mountains. The terrain slopes from southeast to northwest, with Liangfengjie in the south reaching an elevation of 1,614 meters, while the elevation where the Yuan River exits the county in the west is 118 meters, creating a difference of 1,496 meters. The county is surrounded by mountains and features various types of terrain, including mountains, hills, terraces, rivers, streams, and valley plains. The soil belongs to the subtropical red and yellow soil zone. Additionally, there are abundant wild resources of Litsea elongata in the original secondary forests among low mountains, dense forests, stone cliffs, and mountain gorges within the county. There are nearly 100 areas (each exceeding 10 acres) with wild growth, covering a total area of more than 80,000 acres. This natural green backdrop provides ideal conditions for the growth of tea trees, fostering the naturally pure quality of Xupu Yao Tea.
In 2013, Wang Yiqing, a native of the region, established a cooperative supported by government poverty alleviation policies. Working with 452 mountain dwellers, including 275 registered impoverished households, they collectively cultivated over 530 hectares of land for the planting of Litsea elongata. This marked the beginning of the industrial development of Xupu Yao Tea.
In 2014, Xupu Yao Tea attracted the attention of North American medical scientists. Laboratory tests revealed that the leaves of Litsea elongata contain 41 trace elements beneficial to human health and high levels of flavonoid compounds (9-14%), which are significant for treating hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions.
By the end of 2016, the Xupu Yao Tea industry embarked on a path of innovation through collaboration with universities. Collaborations were formed with eight domestic and international universities to deepen research and development, propelling the Xupu Yao Tea industry onto a fast track of development.
As of 2025, Xupu Yao Tea was planted across 19 towns in Xupu County, covering a total area of over 5,300 hectares. Annual production reached 20,000 tons of fresh tender leaves, with a yearly output value exceeding 1 billion yuan.
The geographical protection area for Xupu Yao Tea includes the administrative regions of 19 towns within Xupu County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province: Lufeng Town, Dizhuang Town, Shenzihu Town, Zushidian Town, Qiaojiang Town, Youyang Township, Sanjiang Town, Shuidong Town, Tongsixihe Town, Xiaohenglong Township, Taojinpings Township, Liangyaping Town, Zhongdu Township, Yanxi Township, Beidouxizhen Town, Gezhuping Town, Longzhuangwan Township, Longtan Town, and Huangmaoyuan Town.
Nutritional Value
Xupu Yao Tea contains high levels of flavonoid compounds (9-14%), recognized worldwide as one of the most effective anti-aging substances. It has excellent preventive and therapeutic effects on diseases related to aging.
Product Characteristics
Xupu Yao Tea contains a minimum of 15 grams per kilogram of total flavonoids, a minimum of 41% water-soluble extracts, a maximum of 7% moisture, and a maximum of 6.5% total ash content. The tea leaves are tightly curled with a dark green color; the tea liquor is light yellow and bright green; the aroma is fragrant, and the taste is sweet.
Historical and Folk Customs
The production of Yao Tea in Xupu has a long history. In his Tea Classic, Lu Yu of the Tang Dynasty cited Kunyuan Record: “During celebrations in the Miao customs of Chen Prefecture, Xupu County, relatives and clans gather and dance on the mountains, which are covered with tea trees.” This refers to the Xupu Yao Tea trees.
In 1837 (the 17th year of Daoguang in the Qing dynasty), General Governor Lin Zexu inspected the military and civilian conditions in Longhui and Xupu in western Hunan. The Yao people made tea from freshly picked leaves, which tasted sweet, and this came to be known as Xupu Yao Tea.
Awards and Honors for Xupu Yao Tea
On October 8, 2025, the National Intellectual Property Administration approved the implementation of geographical indication product protection for “Xupu Yao Tea.”
On December 25, 2025, it was included in the third batch of the national list of distinctive, high-quality, and new agricultural products by the Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and was issued a certificate for national distinctive, high-quality, and new agricultural products.