The Wujiatai tribute Tea from Xuan'en County has a history of more than 300 years. In the Qing dynasty, there was a tea farmer named Wu Changchen in Xuan'en's Wujiatai, who was an expert in growing and making tea. The tea he meticulously produced was much loved by people and later became a precious “tribute” item presented to the imperial court. When Emperor Qianlong tasted it, he found its aroma reminiscent of roasted chestnuts, with a yellow-green infusion, clear and sweet taste, and a refreshing aftertaste. He exclaimed “What good tea!” and immediately inscribed “Imperial Grace Bestowed” on a plaque, which was awarded to Wu Changchen. From then on, the Wujiatai tribute tea from Xuan'en became renowned far and wide.

Green Tea shaping process. (Photographed by Li Li)

In June 2011, the Wujiatai tribute tea making skills from Xuan'en were included in the third batch of provincial intangible cultural heritage list of Hubei Province.

The reason why the Wujiatai tribute tea from Xuan'en can be considered the pinnacle of teas is primarily due to its unique natural geographical environment and optimal soil conditions for tea tree growth. Fresh leaves are sourced from high-quality tea trees. To ensure premium quality, fresh leaves are generally picked during fine weather, when temperatures are above 10°C, usually in the early morning or morning hours. At this time, the tea leaves are at their freshest, with the richest content of effective components such as polyphenols and amino acids, allowing the finished tea to meet the requirements of high fragrance, bright green infusion, pure flavor, and rich juice.

The freshly picked leaves must undergo technical processing, ensuring “four standards” (tenderness, uniformity, cleanliness, freshness), and then they are thinly spread out on bamboo mats or other containers, with same-day processing ensured after picking.

The Wujiatai tribute tea making skills from Xuan'en have a unique production process: fresh leaf picking – processing – pan-firing – rolling – drying – shaping – further drying – selection – storage. Each step involves unique technical secrets and strict operational requirements, forming a complete and distinctive set of handmade tribute tea production techniques over long-term practice, ensuring the internal quality of the tribute tea and achieving excellence in color, aroma, taste, and appearance.

The Wujiatai tribute tea making skills from Xuan'en showcase the wisdom of the artisans through generations of inheritance, leading to “sixty years of emerald green preserved, one Cup of tribute tea fills the hall with fragrance.”

(Text and images selected from “Illustrated Catalogue of Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Enshi Prefecture”)