In 1998, Chinese archaeologists excavated carbonized remains of suspected tea leaves in the Hanyang Mausoleum in Shaanxi Province. These remains were identified as ancient tea leaves. The tea leaves found in the Hanyang Mausoleum were found together with grains and millet, indicating that tea had been classified as a food and beverage in the early Western Han Dynasty, and tea drinking had at least entered the daily life of the imperial family. In May 2016, the Guinness World Records certified that the tea leaves found in the Hanyang Mausoleum were the oldest ever seen in the world. According to tea experts, the traditional tea-making process in Ankang has similarities with the tea leaves found in the Hanyang Mausoleum.
The Qinling Mountains are located in central China and are the geographical boundary between China's north and south. The Qinling Mountains are high and steep, with a mild climate, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil, making them ideal for tea cultivation. Therefore, the Qinling Mountains have a long history of tea production and are now one of China's most critical tea-producing regions.
Shaanxi Province is the central tea-producing region in the Qinling Mountains, with central tea-producing counties and cities including Shangluo, Ankang, Hanzhong, and Baoji.
The Qinling Mountains produce a variety of tea varieties, including green tea, black tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, and black tea. The most representative tea varieties include:
- Qinling green tea: Qinling green tea is known for its refreshing and fresh taste. Significant varieties include Qinling Mingqian tea, Qinling Yu Lu, and Qinling Longjing.
- Qinling black tea: Qinling black tea is known for its rich, mellow, and lasting aroma. Significant varieties include Qinling Jin Jun Mei, Qinling Zhengshan Xiaozhong, and Qinling Hong Suicha.
- Qinling white tea: Qinling white tea is known for its refreshing and elegant aroma and lasting sweetness. Significant varieties include Qinling White Peony, Qinling Gongmei, and Qinling Shoumei.
- Qinling Fu tea: Qinling Fu tea may have a refreshing, mellow, and sweet taste.
Consumers love Qinling Mountain tea for its unique flavor and aroma.
