XiaomMengsong Tea Plantation in Jinghong City, XishuangBanna
Chinese Name: 小勐宋茶
English Name: XiaomMengsong Tea Plantation in Jinghong City, XishuangBanna
ADD:西双版纳州景洪市勐龙镇勐宋村Mengsong Village, Menglong Town, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna
In Xishuangbanna, there are two places named Mengsong: one is Mengsong Township in Menghai County, and the other is Mengsong Village in Menglong Town, Jinghong City. Menghai’s Mengsong is classified as a township-level administrative unit and is often referred to simply as “Mengsong” or “Dai Mengsong.” In contrast, Jinghong’s Mengsong is a village-level administrative unit, commonly known as “Xiaomengsong.”
Characteristics of Xiaomengsong Tea
Xiaomengsong’s bitter tea is unique in Xishuangbanna, characterized by an intense bitterness that can be overwhelming at first. However, it offers a sweet aftertaste that leaves a lingering flavor in the mouth. The ancient tree tea from Xiaomengsong combines the rich taste of Bulang ancient tree tea with the soft fragrance of Yiwuzhong tea.
- Location
- Xiaomengsong Ancient Tea Mountain is located in Mengsong Village, Menglong Town, Jinghong City. The village is a key promotion and demonstration area for quality tea and modern tea gardens established by the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Upon entering Xiaomengsong, visitors are greeted not by wooden houses but by ancient tea gardens.
- Tea Garden Conditions
- The Mengsong Ancient Tea Mountain area is characterized by mountainous and hilly terrain, with altitudes exceeding 1,000 meters and high forest coverage. The ancient tea gardens are concentrated and contiguous, stretching about five kilometers along the ridge from Mangkang to Miaochu Mountain and the ruins of Mangkang Old Village. The total area of ancient tea gardens exceeds 5,000 acres, mainly divided into two regions: the southern Mengsong area and the northwestern Yakou (Ake) area.
- Climate Characteristics
- Xiaomengsong is located in a typical South Asian tropical climate zone, influenced by the Indian Ocean air currents and local topography. It experiences abundant rainfall, with distinct dry and wet seasons and occasional light frost in winter. The favorable habitat features various vegetation types that change with altitude, including mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests, montane evergreen broadleaf forests, and some tropical montane rainforests.
- Sweet and Bitter Teas
- There are two varieties of ancient tea in Xiaomengsong: one with a very mild bitterness, known as “sweet tea,” and the other with a strong bitterness, referred to as “bitter tea.” The bitter tea from Xiaomengsong is a rarity, unique to this region. Its bitterness resembles that of herbal medicine, making it difficult to swallow for those unaccustomed to it. However, once the tea enters the throat, a miraculous sweetness emerges after a few seconds, filling the mouth with a refreshing sensation. The aftertaste of the bitter tea is even sweeter than that of the sweet tea.
- Tea Leaf Characteristics
- The ancient tree Pu’er tea from Xiaomengsong has a higher yield than typical teas, with a lasting sweetness and strong flavor. It can withstand multiple infusions, producing a rich, fragrant aftertaste.
- Appearance: The leaves are thick and robust, with prominent buds covered in fine hairs.
- Aroma: The aroma fills the air after brewing with boiling water, creating a fragrant atmosphere.
- Tea Soup: The color is a bright golden hue, exuding an oily shine.
- Flavor: The taste is strong and intense, with noticeable bitterness that dissipates quickly. The tea has a wild essence, providing a powerful sensation in the throat, with a long-lasting sweetness and refreshing aftertaste.
- Representative Ancient Tea Trees
- Ama Yang Ancient Tea Tree: Commonly known as bitter tea, the scientific name is unclear. This small tree has an open posture, with a base circumference of 1.32 meters, a height of 4.75 meters, and a canopy spread of 6.1×5.8 meters. It has three primary branches with circumferences of 0.6 meters, 0.42 meters, and 0.36 meters, demonstrating strong growth. The leaves are long and oval, measuring 18×6.5 centimeters, with a flat surface, soft texture, and a rich green color. The leaf tips are sharply pointed, with fine, serrated edges, and the young leaves have a light green color with slight fuzz.
- Famous Villages in Xiaomengsong
- Notable villages in the Xiaomengsong area include Akelao Village in the Yakou region, as well as Mangwa, Mangka, Manmaiyao, Mangganganbian, and Dasei.
