Bamboo-tube Tea in Guangnan County, Wenshan 

Introduction to Diwei Bamboo Tube Tea

Diwei Township in Guangnan County is renowned for its tea production, with a sprawling tea garden area of over 10,228.79 acres. The region produces nearly 300,000 kilograms of tea annually. Among its most famous products is the Bamboo Tube Tea, also known as “Maiden Tea” (姑娘茶), a traditional specialty of the Zhuang ethnic group with a history spanning over 300 years.

The Origin of Bamboo Tube Tea

The Bamboo Tube Tea originated in the first year of the Tongzhi period (1862) during the Qing Dynasty. A local man named Yang Chunji ingeniously utilized the natural fragrances of golden bamboo and glutinous rice to create a unique tea. By packing tea leaves and glutinous rice into golden bamboo tubes and lightly roasting them, he allowed the moisture and aromas to blend, resulting in a tea characterized by a delightful combination of three fragrances—tea, golden bamboo, and glutinous rice.

Characteristics of Bamboo Tube Tea

Bamboo Tube Tea is distinguished by its bamboo tube shape, tight inner texture, and exquisite quality. The tea is noted for its tender buds, abundant white tips, and a yellow-green, clear and bright tea soup. The aroma is rich, and the flavor is fresh, sweet, with a long-lasting aftertaste. Traditionally, this tea was a token of affection given by maidens to their lovers, hence the name “Maiden Tea.” Even in modern times, the tea is produced using traditional methods, ensuring its aromatic and flavorful qualities remain intact.

The Legacy and Popularity of Bamboo Tube Tea

Since the resumption and expansion of bamboo tube tea production in 1990, this tea has gained popularity across Yunnan province and the entire nation. It is recognized as one of Yunnan’s top ten quality teas. The tea has even been praised by former Chinese President Yang Shangkun during his inspection visits to Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Tea-Picking Maidens of Diwei

Diwei Township is known for producing 16 varieties of tea, including Chunrui, Chunya, Chunjian, and Chunpian, which are in high demand both locally and abroad. Jasmine tea and osmanthus tea, which are made by blending these teas with jasmine and osmanthus flowers, are especially popular, with sales extending to Beijing, Northeast China, Guangdong, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asian countries.

Legend of Tea in Guangnan

According to legend, Guangnan did not originally have tea. Tea was available in the market, but it was expensive because it was transported from a distant place called Jiuhedu. A popular tea song from that time highlighted the exorbitant costs, making tea unaffordable for the poor. The people of Guangnan decided to learn how to grow tea themselves to stop the outflow of money from their region.

After much discussion, a brave and intelligent Zhuang youth named Lu You was chosen to travel to Jiuhedu to find tea seeds. Despite many challenges, Lu You succeeded in collecting tea seeds but was tragically killed by the local chieftains. His death sparked outrage among the Zhuang people, who then sent a larger group to retrieve the tea seeds and avenge Lu You. They succeeded in bringing back the tea seeds and planted them in Diwei.

Challenges and Innovations in Tea Production

Initially, the tea produced from these seeds was bitter and lacked aroma. However, around the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, Yang Chunji invented a new method of tea production. He cut golden bamboo into tubes, filled them with freshly picked spring tea buds, and steamed them in a pot with glutinous rice cooking at the bottom. The fragrance of the glutinous rice permeated the bamboo tubes, and the tea was then slowly roasted over a low flame, creating the famous bamboo tube tea.

Maiden Tea: A Token of Love

This new tea was named “Maiden Tea” because Yang Chunji’s daughter, a beautiful and diligent maiden, carefully selected the tender spring tea buds used in its production. The tea became a symbol of love, with maidens traditionally gifting it to their sweethearts.