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Kunming Experimental Foreign Language School
Huayang Academy for Language and Culture
“Chen Shenghao”(陈升号) is a trademark successfully registered on October 28, 2009 by Yunnan Menghai Chensheng Tea Industry Co., Ltd.(陈升号茶业有限公司) It is a brand named after the chairman Mr. Chen Shenghe. With the rapid development of the company, it has grown into the leading brand of Pu’er Tea, and was recognized as a famous trademark in Yunnan Province in 2011.
At the 2nd China Tea Enterprise Brand Development Summit Co-sponsored by the Chengdu Municipal People ’s Government and the China Tea Distribution Association, Zhejiang University CARD Chinese Agricultural Brand Research Center, and the Pujiang County People ’s Government, the China Rural Development Institute of Zhejiang University Chang published the “2012 China Tea Enterprise Product Brand Value Evaluation Report” and announced the “2012 China Tea Enterprise Product Brand Value List”. The “Chen Shenghao”(陈升号) brand value reached 27 million yuan.
Chen Sheng Hao Pu-erh Tea Company Overview
Founded in 2007 by Mr. Chen Shenghe, a veteran tea maker with nearly 50 years of experience, Chen Sheng Hao Pu-erh Tea Co., Ltd. is a modern and professional enterprise with a complete industry chain. The company integrates the cultivation of Pu-erh tea, product research and development, production, processing, sales, and the promotion of tea culture. Located in the 8-Kilometer Industrial Zone of Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, the company occupies an area of over 150 acres.
Company Introduction
Beautiful scenery, a pleasant climate, excellent ecology, and unique tea resources, combined with Menghai’s long-standing and exquisite tea-making techniques, provide exceptional conditions for the high quality of Chen Sheng Tea products. The company boasts first-class hardware facilities with a construction area of over 20,000 square meters. It is an eco-friendly integrated enterprise specializing in the refined processing, production, and sale of Pu-erh tea, as well as tea culture and ethnic tourism.
The company’s product development is overseen by renowned tea masters, who not only highlight Menghai’s unique tea-making skills and fermentation techniques but also focus on blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. This approach ensures the purity and hygiene of the tea raw materials. Chen Sheng Tea aims to create an eco-friendly enterprise that looks like a park from afar and a garden up close, successfully establishing brands such as “Chen Sheng Hao,” “Fu Yuan Chang Hao,” and “Chen Sheng Boutique.” Its product range covers all series of Pu-erh tea, both raw and ripe. In December 2011, “Chen Sheng Hao” was recognized as a famous trademark in Yunnan Province.
Chen Sheng Tea’s simple business philosophy is “to make affordable good tea for everyone” and “to produce praised tea for tea lovers.” The company’s unending pursuit is to make “Chen Sheng Hao” the best Pu-erh tea brand in China.
Factory Greenification
To create a green, eco-friendly, modern tea enterprise, the company has invested significantly in green ecological construction of the factory area. Since early 2007, the company has invested over 3 million yuan in greening projects, planting more than 4,000 trees and nearly 10,000 square meters of grass, effectively preventing soil erosion caused by large-scale construction. This effort not only beautifies the company but also maintains the ecological balance of the surrounding environment, marking the initial establishment of an eco-enterprise.
Green Environmental Concept Promotion
To raise awareness among tea farmers about environmental protection and hygiene, the company invested over 300,000 yuan in 2007 and 2008 to provide 100,000 woven bags to replace unhygienic fertilizer bags used by farmers. Additionally, 5,000 sets of tea brewing equipment were distributed for free to various tea-growing areas, benefiting thousands of tea farmers.
Chen Sheng Hao Lao Ban Zhang Base
Lao Ban Zhang Village, founded in 1476, is renowned for its ancient tea gardens and unique Pu-erh tea resources. In early 2008, Chen Sheng Tea established a professional cooperative organization with Lao Ban Zhang Village to protect and develop these rare resources. The company invested 1 million yuan in constructing a mountain road to improve transportation conditions for the village. Efforts to promote the Lao Ban Zhang Pu-erh tea brand include extensive advertising and participation in major tea expos, significantly enhancing its reputation.
Chen Sheng Hao Yi Wu Base
To ensure the quality and consistency of the “Fu Yuan Chang Hao” series of Yi Wu Pu-erh tea, the company established a raw material procurement base in Yi Wu. They also invested 3 million yuan to preserve and expand the historical site associated with the tea horse road.
Chen Sheng Hao Ban Po Lao Zhai Base
The “Ancient Tea First Village” of Nan Nuo Mountain is known for its excellent tea quality. In March 2011, Chen Sheng Tea signed a cooperation contract with Ban Po Lao Zhai villagers to establish a tea processing facility, ensuring the quality of Nan Nuo Mountain tea products.
Company Honors
Brand philosophy: Chen Shenghao(陈升号) lets you know the taste of the true tree tea!
Brand Proposition: Chensheng Pu’er Tea(陈升号普洱茶) will bring you health, joy and happiness!
Summit Foreign Language School
Kunming Empire Foreign Language School
Ba Jiao Ting Tea(八角亭茶业) is one of the oldest tea companies in China. It has been ranked among the “Top Ten Famous Brands of Chinese Pu’er Tea”, “Top Ten Most Popular Tea Brands”, and “Top Ten Best-selling Brands of Chinese Pu’er Tea” and has become the most popular in the market of pu-erh tea. Menghai Bajiaoting Tea Industry Co., Ltd. (referred to as Bajiaoting Tea Industry, former Liming Tea Factory), is located in Menghai County(勐海县), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture(西双版纳傣族自治州), Yunnan Province(云南省), and belongs to Yunnan Nongken Group Co., Ltd.
Bajiaoting Tea Industry(八角亭茶业) was originally a tea processing group under Liming Agricultural and Industrial Union (Liming Farm). It started in 1964 and has been engaged in the development and production of tea products for more than 50 years. It completed a standardized factory in 1984 and started pu’er tea producing in 2001. As of 2013, the company has produced a total of more than 12,000 tons of hundreds of varieties of Pu’er tea. The Bajiaoting tea industry is one of the oldest tea companies in China. After years of continuous development, the “bajiaoting tea” brand has gained widespread trust and recognition from consumers and has become one of the most influential brands in the market today.
In April, 2007, Bajiaoting Tea(八角亭茶业) became one of the Ten Famous Brands of Pu’er Tea in China.
In December, 2007, Bajiaoting Tea(八角亭茶业) became the Top 100 Tea Industry.
In 2007, Bajiaoting Tea (八角亭茶业) became the Top Ten Most Popular Tea Brands.
In May, 2009, Dawn of Light wins gold medal at Shanghai Tea Fair.
Yunnan Nongken Group Erhai Bajiaoting Tea Industry Co., Ltd. (referred to as Bajiaoting Tea Industry, former Liming Tea Factory) is one of the oldest tea companies in China and the only state-owned enterprise of Pu’er tea industry in Yunnan.
Bajiaoting Tea(八角亭茶业) is the only state-owned enterprise in the Pu’er tea industry in Yunnan. For more than 50 years, it has arranged production plans in accordance with the needs of national economic construction. The operation is not the focus of the Pu’er tea industry market speculators. And it is recognized as the preferred Puer tea product with high cost performance in the market.
Bajiaoting Tea Industry(八角亭茶业) has passed four brand certifications and obtained five brand honorary titles. At the same time, over the years, the Bajiaoting Tea Industry has cultivated and reserved a number of elites in the tea industry, including experts with many years of experience and good experience.
Yunnan Tuo Tea, also known as Xiguan Tuo Tea下关沱茶, originated in Xiguan, Yunnan, which is why it is sometimes called Xiguan Tuo Tea. This tea has a long production history, with early records in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) mentioning it in Xie Zhaozhi’s book “Dian Lue,” which described it as a common tea used by both scholars and commoners, steamed and shaped into cakes. Tuo tea is one of the oldest tea products from Yunnan, having been popular both within and outside the province for many years. The modern shape of Yunnan Tuo Tea was developed in the 28th year of the Guangxu era (1902) and has a history of over a hundred years. It evolved from the so-called “girl tea” (also known as private tea) from Jinggu County in the Simao region. The production process of Xiguan Tuo Tea began in 1902, with the establishment of the “Yongchangxiang” brand by Yan Zizhen from Dali Xizhou, Jiangxi merchant Peng Yongchang, and Beicheng merchant Yang Hongchun. They commercially refined and inherited traditional tea-making techniques. The modern shape of Yunnan Tuo Tea, resembling a bowl, was continuously improved upon from the “girl tea” to become its current form.
Introduction
Origin By the late Qing Dynasty, the Yunnan tea market had gradually shifted to Xiguan, where transportation was more convenient and industrial development was advanced. Tea merchants in Xiguan, such as Yongchangxiang and Fuchun, transformed the traditional tea cakes into bowl-shaped Tuo tea, which was then transported from Kunming to Chongqing, Xufu (now Yibin), Chengdu, and other places in Sichuan Province, hence also known as Xufu tea.
Features Yunnan Tuo Tea is made from high-quality tea leaves produced in over 30 counties in Yunnan Province, including Lincang, Baoshan, and Simao. The initial processing involves manual揉制 (kneading) and machine pressing, resulting in a bowl-shaped tea with an elegant appearance. The tea is dark and glossy, with a fresh and fragrant aroma. The tea liquor is orange-yellow and clear, with a mellow and refreshing taste that leaves a pleasant aftertaste. Regular consumption is believed to have health benefits such as improving vision, calming the mind, enhancing beauty, and possessing antibacterial and therapeutic properties. Internationally, it is referred to as “weight-loss tea,” “beauty tea,” and “longevity tea.”
In China, Xiguan Tuo Tea is honored alongside Yunnan Baiyao and Yunyan as one of the “Three Treasures of Central Yunnan.”
Dali is a key region in western Yunnan where the “Tea Horse Road” and “Shu Body Poison Road” intersect, creating a unique commercial and cultural fusion of Central Plains, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia cultures. This historical crossroads makes Dali a city rich in diverse cultural influences, and it is also the production area of the renowned Xiguan Tuo Tea.
Xiguan Tuo Tea uses Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea as its primary raw material. The traditional production process involves several steps: ingredient preparation, sifting, sorting, weighing, steaming, rolling, pressing into shape, shaping, bag removal, drying, and packaging. Despite its relatively simple process with only a dozen or so steps, it represents a traditional skill of the ethnic minorities in China. During processing, the principles of “fine tea refined, coarse tea finely processed, and refined extraction” are followed, creating a unique processing style.
Among these steps, the pressing process is a key technical aspect. Before 1953, pressing was done manually, which was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Later, a wooden bench with concave and convex molds was used to press the tea, utilizing the lever principle. After pressing, the tea was placed in cloth bags to cool. Once shaped, the cloth bags were removed, and the tea was placed on wooden frames to dry, completing the pressing process. These skills were mainly passed down orally, and mastering them requires long-term practice and experience.
Xiguan Tuo Tea is divided into two types: Sheng Tuo (raw Tuo) and Pu Tuo (ripe Tuo). Sheng Tuo refers to unfermented Tuo tea, while Pu Tuo is fermented.
Sheng Tuo Tea has a round and full shape, with tightly curled and clear tea leaves that have an oily sheen. The dry tea has a subtle orchid fragrance, and when brewed, it exudes floral aromas. When the cup cools, it gives off a honeyed orchid scent, with a wild mountain taste. The tea liquor is orange-yellow and clear; the taste is rich and smooth, with a long-lasting tea fragrance and a full, delicate mouthfeel. It has excellent resilience and brewing endurance, with a prolonged sweet aftertaste and a lingering finish. The tea leaves are thick, tender, and glossy.
Pu Tuo Tea is quite different from Sheng tea as it undergoes artificial pile fermentation, resulting in distinct internal qualities and flavors. Pu Tuo Tea has a bowl-shaped appearance, with a beautiful form. It is dark and glossy, showcasing buds. The tea liquor is bright orange-yellow and emits a strong tea aroma. The taste is refreshing, with a thick, sweet water flavor and minimal bitterness. The tea leaves are thick and elastic.
Grades of Xiguan Tuo Tea can be classified into Special Grade, Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. The differences between grades mainly lie in the choice of materials. The grade represents the quality of the tea buds. High-grade buds are tender and used for Special Grade Tuo Tea; medium-grade buds are from young leaves used for Grade A Tuo Tea; and low-grade buds are from coarse, older leaves used for Grade B and C Tuo Tea.
Grade A Tuo Tea is the oldest and largest production product of Xiguan Tea Factory. It has been produced since 1951 and is still in production today. Grade A Tuo Tea has a height of about 4.3 cm and a diameter of about 8.3 cm, with the most common specification being 100 grams. Early packaging used the Zhongcha trademark, and after 1991, it switched to the Songhe trademark.
The age of Grade A Tuo Tea can be determined by factors such as weight, shape, packaging material quality, and printing. Before 1993, it was wrapped in glossy yellow paper with a pattern. Around 1992, it changed to non-glossy patterned yellow paper, and from 1997, it began using a green food label. Early packaging was often five-piece brown paper tubes, with deluxe packaging in single-piece boxes. After 2000, the packaging material was changed to laminated paper bags.
Grade B Tuo Tea and Grade C Tuo Tea were developed to address the backlog of lower-grade tea. Grade B Tuo Tea was introduced in 1988 and later renamed to Grade A Tuo Tea based on consumer acceptance. These two names are often used interchangeably. The tea has a specification of 100 grams, with a height of about 4.1 cm and a diameter of about 8.2 cm. Early packaging used the Zhongcha trademark, and after 1993, it switched to the Songhe trademark.
Grade C Tuo Tea and Popular Tuo Tea were also developed to solve the issue of lower-grade tea stock. Grade C Tuo Tea was produced starting in 1988 and later renamed to Popular Tuo Tea. It has a specification of 100 grams, with a height of about 4.1 cm and a diameter of about 8.2 cm. Early packaging used the Zhongcha trademark, and after 1993, it switched to the Songhe trademark.
Special Grade Tuo Tea was produced in response to merchant orders in 2003. It has a specification of 100 grams, with a height of about 4.3 cm and a diameter of about 8 cm, using the Songhe trademark. The packaging includes both laminated paper bags and single-piece boxes.
When brewing Xiguan Tuo Tea, it is recommended to use a Yixing clay teapot, which retains heat well and helps the tea leaves gradually unfold, enhancing their characteristics. Before brewing, preheat the teapot and rinse the tea leaves. The rinse can be longer to allow the tea leaves to open up. Pour water slowly, gently, and steadily to ensure even dissolution of the tea’s components. The first eight infusions can be enjoyed immediately, while later infusions can have extended brewing times. Xiguan Tuo Tea has health benefits and is suitable for long-term consumption.
Menghai County Fuhai Tea Factory(勐海福海茶厂) is located in Erhai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. This is the famous Pu’er tea origin and core producing area. The predecessor of Fuhai Tea Factory(福海茶厂)was Menghai Xinghuo Tea Factory(勐海星火茶厂). It was established in 1983 by the management staff and technical backbone of Menghai Tea Factory.At that time, it specialized in producing black teas such as CTC black broken tea and Kung Fu black strip tea.During this semi-fermentation process for producing black tea, the Pu-erh tea full-fermentation process was gradually developed and improved by the Fuhai Tea Factory. In 1998, in order to meet the needs of Pu’er tea market development, it was renamed as Fuhai Tea Factory in Menghai County, which specialized in producing Pu’er tea.
In 2004, the Fuhai Tea Factory(福海茶厂) invested more than 26 million yuan to build a new factory three kilometers east of Menghai County, covering an area of more than 60 acres. It is far away from the famous tea mountain “Nannuo Mountain”. The plant is surrounded by mountains and clear water. The water protection forest of the tea village in the village is free from any pollution source. It is an excellent place to produce and store high-quality Pu’er tea. At present, Fuhai Tea Factory(福海茶厂) has fixed assets and liquidity of 36 million yuan. It not only has advanced tea-making equipment, traditional tea-making technology and strong technical force, but also has a 5000-mu tea raw material base near Banzhang Mountain in Brown Mountain Township. The annual processing and production of various types of Pu’er tea reaches 2000-2500 tons.
In September 2006, the “Yunnan Image Pu’er Tea” produced by Fuhai Tea Factory(福海茶厂) was selected as the first tea king of the Pu’er tea. In the same year, nearly 600 tons of organic arbor green cakes produced from wild arbor and ancient tree tea were exported to South Korea
In 2008 the China (Beijing) International Tea Fair, Fuhai Puer(福海普洱) won the title of “Top Ten Best Selling Brands of Pu’er Tea” in China.
In November 2011, Fuhai products were permanently collected by the Provincial Archives.
Company Overview
Lancang Guchan Tea Company, formerly known as Lancang County Guchashan Jingmai Tea Factory, was established in 1966. Since its inception, the company has relied on the millennium-old tea gardens of Mangjing and Jingmai Mountain, as well as the ancient tea tree clusters of Bangwei, as its raw materials. With over 40 years of tea cultivation and production experience, the company produces authentic Pu-erh tea known for its unique aroma, bright red liquor, and excellent quality. In 2005, the Pu’er Municipal People’s Government recognized Lancang Guchan Tea Company as a leading enterprise in the Pu-erh tea industry.
Since the 21st century, Guchan Tea has been increasingly recognized and accepted for its distinctive flavor, superior quality, and health benefits. To share this heritage of human civilization with friends worldwide and allow them to taste the pure essence accumulated over thousands of years, Chairman Du Chunyi and the entire staff of Lancang Guchan Tea Company are dedicated to offering outstanding products to consumers and tea enthusiasts globally. The company’s products are popular across multiple provinces and cities in China and are also exported to countries and regions such as Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, the United States, Poland, and Singapore.
In 2003, the company obtained EU FLO “Fair Trade” certification.
Tea Base
In 2000, the company’s Jingmai Ancient Tea Garden received organic tea garden certification from the international BCS organization. The company also protects and manages the Bangwei Tea Tree King, a large tea tree measuring 11.8 meters in height, with a canopy width of 8.2×9.0 meters and a trunk diameter of 1.14 meters. This tree represents the first discovery of a transitional type between the ancient wild and cultivated tea trees, making it highly significant for the study of tea tree origins, evolution, quality breeding, and tea culture. The company has established a special expert team, led by Associate Professor Zhou Hongjie from Yunnan Agricultural University, to effectively manage and protect the ancient tea trees.
Cultural Development
Pu-erh tea is renowned both domestically and internationally, with its origin in the Simao region and modern-day Xishuangbanna. Lancang Guchan Tea Company plays a significant role in Chinese tea culture. Since 1993, the Simao region has hosted the China Pu-erh Tea Festival, which has promoted the area’s openness to the outside world, expanded investment opportunities, and showcased the profound culture of Pu-erh tea, contributing positively to local economic and cultural development.
The history of Pu-erh tea cultivation dates back a long time. According to the Qing Dynasty’s “Pu’er Prefecture Gazetteer,” tea cultivation began in the Pu’er region over 1,700 years ago during the Three Kingdoms period. The earliest historical reference to Pu-erh tea cultivation comes from the Tang Dynasty, when official Fan Chuo visited the Nanzhao region of Yunnan in the third year of the Xiantong era (862 AD). In his book “Man Shu,” he recorded: “Tea comes from the mountains around Yinshi City, collected and prepared without specific methods. The Mongshe people cook it with pepper, ginger, and cinnamon to drink.” Yinshi City refers to present-day Jingdong County in the Simao region, which was part of the Yinshi military governor’s jurisdiction during the Tang Dynasty and included the current Simao and Xishuangbanna regions.
Historical Background
Historical records indicate that tea production in the Simao region, within the boundaries of the Nanzhao “Yinshi City” area, dates back over 1,100 years. The term “Pu-erh tea” was first mentioned by scholar Xie Zhaozhi in the Ming Dynasty during the Wanli period in his book “Dian Lue,” where he described it as: “Tea used by scholars and commoners alike, steamed into cakes.” The Qing Dynasty’s “Dianhai Yuheng Zhi” noted that: “Pu-erh tea is renowned throughout the world, originating from the six tea mountains of Pu-erh… with tens of thousands of people producing tea in the mountains.”
These six tea mountains were all located within the Simao Hall area of Pu’er Prefecture. During the Qing Dynasty’s Yongzheng period, Pu’er tea presented to the emperor was managed by the local officials in Simao. After 1897, France and Britain established customs offices in Simao, boosting the export of Pu’er tea and revitalizing the Pu’er Tea Horse Road. Historical remnants of this trade include the Pu’er Tea An Tang Tea Horse Road, which still has a 12.5-kilometer segment, and the Nan Ke Li Tea Horse Road, which stretches for about 30 kilometers with stone hoofprints recording the history of tea transport.
Pu-erh tea is made from the large-leaf variety of tea plants native to Yunnan. Its characteristics include long, robust buds, abundant silver hairs, large, soft leaves, and a thick stem with a long internode. The new shoots have a prolonged growth period and good tender-holding properties. Scientific analysis reveals high levels of alkaloids, tea polyphenols, vitamins, amino acids, and aromatic substances. Notable national oncology expert Professor Liang Mingda has scientifically endorsed Pu-erh tea as a “21st-century anticancer health beverage,” presenting his findings at the 1993 China Pu-erh Tea International Academic Symposium, which garnered significant attention from attendees.
Research Value
The ancient tea tree of Bangwei, discovered in 1991 and validated through studies and international conferences in 1992-1993, is a transitional type of ancient tea tree. Standing 11.8 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 1.14 meters, it is over a thousand years old. It has been reported by various media outlets including “China Science News,” “China Tea,” “China Cultural Relics News,” “People’s Daily,” “Agricultural Archaeology,” and international publications such as “Taiwan Hu Zhong Tian Di,” “Hong Kong Wen Wei Po,” “Thailand Xin Zhong Yuan Bao,” “Philippines World Daily,” “Japan Tea Ceremony Magazine,” “India Assam Review,” and “USA Naxi Communication.” The extensive media coverage highlights its global significance.
The Jingmai ancient tea forest, covering thousands of acres, is one of the largest and oldest preserved cultivated tea forests in China. During the Second China Pu-erh Tea International Academic Symposium in February 1997, attendees confirmed that the Blang ethnic group—ancestors of the ancient Pula people—were the earliest to cultivate tea. The term “tea” in Blang language is “la,” which was later borrowed by the Dai and Jino ethnic groups. The Jingmai ancient tea forest is known as a “natural tea museum” and holds high historical and scientific value for studying the development of tea industry in China, ancient tea tree agronomy, the relationship between tea and ethnic groups, ancient large-scale tea cultivation, and ancient tea trade.
Pu-erh tea culture is rich and diverse. Since ancient times, the ethnic groups residing in the Simao region and the surrounding Lancang River basin have discovered the uses of wild tea trees and begun cultivating and utilizing them, initiating a new chapter in tea culture. Various ethnic groups have their unique tea-drinking customs, such as the Hani’s roasted tea, the Yi’s fire pot tea, the Dai’s roasted bamboo tea, the Lahu’s roasted tea and large pot tea, the Wa’s iron plate tea, and the Blang’s boiled bamboo green tea and sour tea. Tea has become a symbol of social progress and friendly relations, used for hospitality, marriage, gifts, rituals, tribute, trade, entertainment, art, medicine, and poetry. Today, tea promotes trade, agriculture, culture, prosperity, and international exchange, strengthening ethnic unity and international connections.
The ancient saying “Pu-erh tea is renowned throughout the world” is indeed accurate. Throughout history and across the globe, many scholars and poets have celebrated Pu-erh tea. Qing Dynasty writer Cao Xueqin included Pu-erh tea in “Dream of the Red Chamber,” Russian novelist Tolstoy mentioned it in “War and Peace,” and Qing scholar Ruan Fu wrote “Record of Pu-erh Tea.” In the Simao region, there are many ancient poems and folk songs related to Pu-erh tea, covering aspects such as tea planting, picking, processing, drinking, and rituals, forming a rich “tea culture phenomenon.”
The published “Collection of Pu-erh Tea Poetry and Couplets” includes 419 poems, 52 couplets, and 8 folk songs from ancient and modern times. Notable works include the Qing Dynasty’s “Pu Tea Hymn,” “Tea Picking Song,” and “Tea Temple Bird Path” poems, as well as contemporary poetry and couplets on tea planting, processing, drinking, and trade. In April 1997, the State Postal and Telecommunications Bureau issued a set of four stamps featuring tea, including one with the Lancang Bangwei transitional ancient tea tree, marking the beginning of tea culture in Chinese postage and promoting it internationally.
The Pu-erh tea art performance team from Simao has performed in Simao, Kunming, and Chiang Rai, Thailand. The team, comprising members from the Hani, Yi, Lahu, Dai, and Wa ethnic groups, presents tea ceremonies emphasizing purity and respect. They showcase tea-related customs and arts, enhancing the elegant reputation of Pu-erh tea.
The Bruang people are a great, hardworking, wise, and historically significant ethnic group with a population of about 60,000. They are primarily distributed in the Yunnan regions of Baoshan, Lincang, Shuangjiang, Zhenkang, Yongde, Gengma, Lancang, and Menghai. Mangjing and Jingmai are located in the southern part of Lancang County, approximately 70 kilometers from the county seat. To the north, they neighbor Huimin, to the southeast they connect with Menghai County, and to the west, they are linked with Nuofu. The area is home to the Bruang, Dai, and other ethnic groups. Situated in a subtropical region, the climate is mild, rainfall is ample, and the soil is fertile, with nearly 10,000 acres of cultivated ancient tea forests. The author has conducted multiple investigations in the Mangjing and Jingmai areas.
1. The Discovery of Bruang “Là”
According to Bruang ancestral legends, “Là” (tea leaves) was one of the “wild teas” discovered by Bruang ancestors during their hunting and gathering activities. At that time, “Là” was used as a condiment, which the Bruang called “Dézé.” Even today, people might carry some cold rice and pickled vegetables, chili, and salt when going up the mountain for work, and they use “Dézé” as a dipping condiment. In ancient times, the food consumed by Bruang ancestors was mostly raw or roasted wild animal meat, which often left them feeling overheated and prone to illness. Consuming “Dézé” as a condiment made them feel more comfortable, clearer-eyed, and mentally alert.
As the understanding of “Là” deepened and its uses expanded, demand grew. By 859 AD, the cultivation of “Là” had developed rapidly, starting from planting a few trees around houses to extensive clearing and large-scale planting. People began carrying “Là” to chew on when tired, using it to alleviate fatigue and maintain health. Later, processing methods developed, including frying in a pan, hand rubbing, and sun drying. To harness the medicinal properties of “Là,” people began to roast it in a small pot (known as “Guó ò Là” in Bruang) before boiling it into a tea. At this time, “Là” became an essential everyday drink; not drinking it could lead to headaches. There is a saying among the Bruang, “Going up the mountain without food is okay, but not without ‘Là’.” With social development and progress, production increased, and material exchanges between tribes emerged. Consequently, “Là” became a key product for material exchange with other tribes and a major source of economic income, traded for salt, cloth, and production tools. Records show that Yulian Street and Mengyang Street are major markets for the sale of “Là” by the Bruang in Mangjing.
2. The Origins and Ancient Tea Gardens of the Bruang in Mangjing
According to information provided by Su Guowen, in ancient times, the Bruang and Wa people shared a common ancestor and tribe. The Bruang of Mangjing were originally Wa or descended from the Wa, self-referred to as “Awa,” with the highest leader called “Yanleng.” Before the Tang Dynasty, they lived in the “Mengmao Huo Fa” area (now Ruili) and “Shaoying Shaopa” (in Wa state, Myanmar). After several centuries of migration from Mengmao (Ruili) through Wanting, Bangwa, Anding, Mengdui, Yunding, Gengma, Cangyuan, Shaoying Shaopa (Myanmar), Ximeng, Menglian, Mengma, Meng’a, Jingdong (Myanmar), Daluo, Bada, Xiding, they finally settled in Mangjing.
According to the inscriptions in Dai on the wooden pagoda stele in Mangjing Temple, tea cultivation in Mangjing began in the 57th year of the Dai calendar (695 AD), with over 1,290 years of history. Su Guowen introduced three stele inscriptions in Mangjing: the first records the history of tea cultivation; the second documents the introduction of Theravada Buddhism to the area; and the third records the leaders and the Buddha’s legacy. Only the leaders and the Buddha know the locations of these stele. One stele’s current location is unknown, another was damaged during the Cultural Revolution but still retains some date information. Two books specifically recording the history and tea cultivation of the Bruang in Mangjing exist; one has been passed to Myanmar, and the other was burned during the Cultural Revolution. According to legend, these books were managed by the leaders, reviewed once a year, and only the leaders could read them, while elders could listen, but ordinary people could not. Concerning tea cultivation, the initial tea grown there was “wild tea” (actually cultivated Pu’er tea), which was domesticated into “home tea” by cutting down tea trees and applying fire ash fertilizer for three years. The area originally covered over 8,000 acres. According to Bruang elders, two large tea trees (with diameters of 50 cm and 40 cm, respectively) still exist, though not the largest; two even larger trees were cut down, one in 1956 in Mangjing, and the largest in Jingmai village, which was burned in 1976. Field investigations revealed that ancient tea trees typically have diameters between 10-30 cm, heights of 2-4 m, and are aging, covered with “crab legs” and various parasitic plants. The original ancient tea forest covered over 8,000 acres, with continuous planting by local Bruang and Dai people over recent centuries.
3. Tea Processing and Products of the Bruang in Mangjing
Before liberation, the tea processing products of the Bruang in Mangjing included:
In the Pu’er tea industry, there is a legendary figure known as Du Chunyu, the chairperson of Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd. Her name is well-known among tea circles, where juniors call her “Aunt Du” and peers refer to her as “Sister Du.” Her leadership has turned her team into a flagship of Pu’er tea production, with their products setting high standards for quality.
Du Chunyu’s tea journey began in 1966 when she was just 16 years old. She was selected by the “Donglang Commune” to attend a tea training class in Mangjing and Jingmai (the ancient tea mountains), where she learned tea cutting, nursery techniques, and cultivation methods. This training program was organized by County Chief Li Guanghua, with the aim of boosting the economy of Lancang County. Among the trainees, Du Chunyu was the only female. Despite the harsh conditions, she lived with local villagers, staying warm by a fire pit, and persevered through the three-month training. Her father’s encouragement and guidance were crucial to her determination. He wrote to her, advising her to “excel in life and strive for more,” which motivated her to complete the training and stay on to work at the training class.
After the training, the Cultural Revolution swept through Lancang County, and the original long-term plans faced significant challenges. However, Du Chunyu did not let these difficulties deter her. She continued to pursue her passion for tea and eventually became a leader in the tea industry. Her perseverance and dedication have made her a prominent figure in Pu’er tea.
Du Chunyu often describes herself as exceptionally fortunate, attributing her good fortune to her deep connection with tea. She has dedicated her life to tea, embracing the challenges and joys that come with it. She believes that life, like tea, is initially bitter but ultimately sweet. Despite numerous hardships, she has remained committed to her role, working diligently and honestly to repay the tea that has given her so much.
In 1983, her company, Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd., was awarded recognition by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, a rare achievement among established Pu’er tea producers at the time. This accolade reflects her and her team’s outstanding contributions to the industry.
Du Chunyu’s story is a perfect blend of tea culture and personal perseverance. Her journey not only showcases her passion and dedication to tea but also highlights her significant contributions to the development of the tea industry and her profound understanding of life.
Introduction: Is this a remarkable tree? Is this a remarkable person? She has turned ancient trees into money-making assets! How did she accumulate her hundreds of millions in assets? “Wealth Creation” presents the story of “The Money Tree of the Sixty-Year-Old Lady.”
In Jingmai Village, Lancang County, Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, the average age of the tea trees is 400 years, making it a major selling point for this ancient tea forest. At the peak of Pu’er tea’s popularity in early 2007, freshly picked leaves from these trees were once sold for as much as 800 yuan per kilogram. A remarkable figure has been active here, transforming these seemingly ordinary tea trees into assets worth hundreds of millions within just ten years.
On the evening of May 27, 2009, CCTV-7’s “Wealth Creation” program aired a special report on Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd. This feature, produced for the company at no cost following the recommendation of the Yunnan Provincial Government, provided a comprehensive look at the company’s development and the rich tea culture of the region. During the production of the report, the crew worked diligently, visiting the company’s bases, exploring production processes, and interviewing key figures in the company’s history. The broadcast received strong reactions, with tea enthusiasts and traders from across the country and abroad expressing their interest and admiration for Lancang Ancient Tea through phone calls, letters, and online messages.
Honors:
In June 2021, the party branch of Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd. was recognized as an Advanced Grassroots Party Organization in Yunnan Province.
Development History:
Company Honors:
“Survival through quality, development through reputation” is the principle always upheld by Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd.
Company Honors (Detailed):
Lancang Gucha 澜沧古茶
China Tea Company, established in 1949, is a member of COFCO Corporation, one of the Fortune Global 500 companies. It was the first national professional company approved by the central government after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. China Tea integrates tea planting, production, processing, research and development, sales, and cultural promotion. It operates several large and medium-sized production enterprises and raw material bases in Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, and Zhejiang provinces. As one of the significant enterprises in the Chinese tea industry, China Tea is a leader in promoting health and changing lifestyles.
China Tea Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as China Tea) advocates the brand message “China Tea, Choose China Tea,” and operates under the philosophy “Good Tea is in China Tea.” The company aims to expand the tea industry, strengthen tea technology, and enhance tea culture. Its mission is to make the tea industry a pillar of rural revitalization and to provide consumers with a healthy and beautiful life through tea products and services.
Founded in 1949, China Tea is one of the earliest established national professional companies in the trade system of New China and has made significant contributions to the country’s economic development over the years.
China Tea operates its tea gardens through a “Company + Supplier + Farmer” model. It manages 70,000 acres of controlled tea gardens and has established tea garden bases and production processing bases in renowned tea production areas such as West Lake Longjing, Taiping Houkui, Tieguanyin, and Dahongpao. This model allows China Tea to control high-quality tea resources, actively demonstrate its base company’s role, and influence and drive surrounding suppliers and tea farmers in tea safety production.
Starting from the source, China Tea provides natural, green, healthy, and safe high-quality raw materials for tea production, ensuring the superior quality of China Tea products.
China Tea’s production and processing bases are spread across major tea-producing regions in China, with an annual production and processing capacity of 55,000 tons. The company is committed to the development of tea production technology and possesses the most advanced and comprehensive production and processing technology and equipment in domestic tea enterprises, with high specialization and strict production standards.
The brand name “Lao Tongzhi Pu-erh Tea 老同志普洱茶” conveys the meaning of “quality of an elder,” making it one of the most popular tea brands in China. Over the years, Lao Tongzhi has developed a comprehensive industry chain, encompassing tea production to brand promotion. Lao Tongzhi teas are made from high-quality Yunnan large-leaf tea varieties and produced through meticulous craftsmanship, resulting in a range of premium teas including black tea, green tea, and Pu-erh tea.
Founded in 1999 in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, the Lao Tongzhi brand has gained recognition from both consumers and the industry for its long-standing commitment to high-quality products. Today, Lao Tongzhi boasts a substantial loyal customer base and is considered one of the leading brands in the tea market.
As a time-honored brand, Lao Tongzhi is dedicated to preserving Chinese tea culture and aims to provide the most authentic tea experience. The brand also emphasizes environmental protection by using green organic cultivation and production methods, ensuring the quality and safety of its products. Lao Tongzhi insists on using excellent fresh leaves as raw materials and continuously explores higher realms of tea production to offer customers the most perfect living experience.
One of the representative products of Lao Tongzhi is its Pu-erh tea. Made from Yunnan large-leaf tea, this tea is renowned for its fine production process, with excellent density and air permeability in the pressed tea cakes. It features a bright color and rich flavor. Additionally, Lao Tongzhi’s Pu-erh tea offers health benefits, aiding digestion and promoting bowel movement, providing a comprehensive wellness effect for the body.
Lao Tongzhi is committed to the service principle of “Quality, the Same Taste Across the World.” We invite you to experience Lao Tongzhi’s range of high-quality teas and enjoy the aroma and health benefits they offer.
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Introduction “Chen Shenghao”(陈升号) is a trademark successfully registered on October 28, 2009 by Yunnan Menghai Chensheng Tea Industry Co., Ltd.(陈升号茶业有限公司) It is a brand named after the chairman Mr....
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Introduction Ba Jiao Ting Tea(八角亭茶业) is one of the oldest tea companies in China. It has been ranked among the “Top Ten Famous Brands of Chinese Pu’er Tea”, “Top...
Yunnan Tuo Tea, also known as Xiguan Tuo Tea下关沱茶, originated in Xiguan, Yunnan, which is why it is sometimes called Xiguan Tuo Tea. This tea has a long production...
History Beginning Menghai County Fuhai Tea Factory(勐海福海茶厂) is located in Erhai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. This is the famous Pu’er tea origin and core producing...
Company Overview Lancang Guchan Tea Company, formerly known as Lancang County Guchashan Jingmai Tea Factory, was established in 1966. Since its inception, the company has relied on the millennium-old...
Company Overview China Tea Company, established in 1949, is a member of COFCO Corporation, one of the Fortune Global 500 companies. It was the first national professional company approved...
The brand name “Lao Tongzhi Pu-erh Tea 老同志普洱茶” conveys the meaning of “quality of an elder,” making it one of the most popular tea brands in China. Over the years,...
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