In recent years, with the rapid development of China's intellectual property industry, some intangible cultural heritages, such as the production techniques of Anhua Dark Tea Qianliang Tea and Fuzhuan Tea, have also begun to strengthen patent protection. This initiative has become a powerful support for Anhua Dark Tea to achieve commercialization, marketization, industrialization, and better inheritance, development, and integration into modern social life. Experts believe that strengthening the patent protection of intangible cultural heritage adapts to the development philosophy of modern society, injects new vitality into the development of the cultural industry, and enhances its international competitiveness. Recently, at the 10th China International Tea Expo, a reporter interviewed Xiao Weiqun, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Anhua County People's Congress, Director of the Anhua Tea Industry Office, and Director of the Tea Industry Bureau, asking him to discuss the protection and development of Anhua Dark Tea from the perspectives of selection, drinking methods, and storage.
1. What are the misconceptions about Dark Tea?
Xiao Weiqun: First, Dark Tea is not equal to "Border-sale Tea" or "Compressed Tea." Dark Tea has always been an indispensable beverage for people in border areas and was considered a "patented product" for ethnic minority regions. However, as the health benefits of Dark Tea continue to be confirmed, drinking Dark Tea has gradually become a trend, and it is now a highly sought-after natural beverage. Second, Dark Tea is not equal to "Coarse Old Tea." Due to historical and price reasons, some Dark Tea raw materials may appear slightly coarse, but many正规 manufacturers now use high-quality dark raw tea as material, significantly improving the overall quality of Dark Tea, allowing consumers to drink it with confidence. Third, the raw material for Dark Tea is not necessarily better when it's younger. Scientific research has proven that tea leaves with one bud and two or three leaves contain the richest content of substances, including the highest levels of beneficial compounds for the human body.
2. How should ordinary consumers select Dark Tea?
Xiao Weiqun: First, be sure to choose Dark Tea from正规 manufacturers in Anhua, carefully辨别 the packaging and labels to confirm they are from正规 manufacturers and have obtained the QS certification from the Quality Supervision Bureau. Second, as the saying goes, "Different strokes for different folks." Everyone's taste is different, and Anhua Dark Tea has many varieties. It is recommended to try several types of Dark Tea and choose according to personal preference.
3. How to drink Dark Tea?
Xiao Weiqun: There are four main ways to drink Dark Tea: First, traditional brewing: Use a tea knife to break off about 8-15 grams of tea and place it in a teapot (cup). Pour in boiling water, quickly rinse the tea (moisten the tea) 1-2 times, then pour in boiling water again and steep for 5-20 seconds before serving. Enjoy the aroma and taste the strength and thickness of the tea. Second, mixed drinking: Mixed drinking is a tea drinking custom in northwestern ethnic minority areas. After brewing the tea, add milk or cheese, which combines the original taste of the tea with the rich aroma of milk, creating a harmonious blend where "tea enhances the milk's fragrance, and milk enriches the tea's flavor." Third, medicinal drinking: This method has a specific purpose. Under特殊 circumstances, increasing the amount of tea used can effectively alleviate physical discomfort (such as enteritis, bloating, or indigestion). Fourth, cold drinking: For daily household consumption, brew or boil the tea, then place the tea汤 in the refrigerator or let it cool naturally before drinking. It is an excellent beverage for relieving heat and quenching thirst in summer.
4. How does storage time affect the quality of Dark Tea?
Xiao Weiqun: When purchasing Dark Tea, it is best to choose tea stored for more than three years, or even over five years, as such Dark Tea has a better taste. Under good storage conditions, the storage time of Dark Tea is directly proportional to its口感; the longer it is stored, the more mellow and sweet the taste becomes.
5. What should be noted when storing Dark Tea?
Xiao Weiqun: Since Dark Tea improves with age and does not require vacuum storage, its storage is more convenient compared to other types of tea. Just remember the following points: First, it must be aged in a ventilated and dry environment, avoiding direct sunlight and rain. Aging under ventilated and dry conditions prevents mold and allows for slower transformation, maintaining the best quality of Dark Tea. Second, avoid sudden temperature changes. Sudden温差 changes in the storage environment will affect the color of the tea汤 and reduce the "liveliness" of its口感. Third, avoid odors. Tea leaves easily absorb杂味 and异味, so strive to keep the storage environment clean and free of odors. Finally, maintain the original packaging. Traditional packaging materials and methods help filter杂味 during the post-fermentation of Dark Tea and发挥 its special health benefits.
6. What are the health functions of Dark Tea?
Xiao Weiqun: The Japanese refer to Dark Tea as slimming tea, while Koreans call it beauty tea.大量的 clinical experiments have proven that Dark Tea, formed through microbial参与 in the pile-fermentation process, has significant effects in lowering血脂,血压,血糖, weight loss,抗癌, and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Long-term consumption can调节 human metabolic balance,调理肠胃, and maintain health. The saying, "Better go without food for three days than without tea for one day," illustrates this道理.
7. Who is Dark Tea suitable for?
Xiao Weiqun: Dark Tea does not affect sleep and is actually suitable for all人群. It is especially recommended for young office workers who sit for long periods, as Dark Tea has good weight loss effects. It is also suitable for middle-aged and elderly individuals,肥胖人群, and those prone to cardiovascular diseases. Dark Tea is commonly consumed by ethnic minorities, who have a high consumption of meat. Dark Tea has excellent effects in removing油脂 and解腻, making it very suitable for modern urban populations.