Tea, a quintessential part of China’s heritage, is celebrated not only for its rich flavors but also as one of the healthiest beverages worldwide. As modern life becomes increasingly demanding, consumers are placing greater emphasis on health and well-being, sparking a growing interest in tea. According to a representative from ChinaTea Company (referred to as “ChinaTea”), the tea industry uniquely blends health benefits with cultural significance, signaling a promising future.

A New Chapter in China’s Tea Industry

Founded in 1949 with the backing of the Central Financial Committee, ChinaTea was first managed by Wu Juenong, who later earned the title of “Contemporary Tea Sage.” As one of the earliest national enterprises in the post-revolution trade system, ChinaTea centralized the procurement, processing, export, and domestic sale of tea, playing a vital role in generating foreign exchange for the nation and laying the groundwork for the revitalization of China’s tea sector.

Now, 75 years later, ChinaTea boasts a comprehensive portfolio encompassing six traditional tea varieties: green, yellow, white, oolong, black, and dark tea, along with flower teas. The company oversees 220,000 acres of tea gardens across provinces like Fujian, Yunnan, and Guangxi, supported by two raw material centers and 18 processing facilities. Its extensive online and offline sales network includes over 2,500 retail locations in key tea-producing regions.

Recently, ChinaTea has been recognized as the leading company in the “2023 Comprehensive Strength of Top 100 Tea Enterprises,” demonstrating its dominant position in the market, where it procures an impressive 25,000 tons of tea, significantly benefiting local economies and increasing farmers’ incomes.

Innovation Meets Tradition

The tea industry is not just an agricultural staple; it is a cornerstone for promoting economic development and revitalizing rural areas. By merging traditional culture with modern economic practices, the tea sector drives growth through optimized production techniques and enhanced product value. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in elevating farmers’ incomes, improving rural infrastructure, and promoting sustainable agriculture, making it a vital force in rural revitalization.

ChinaTea has historically nurtured some of the foremost experts in the field, such as Wu Juenong and Huang Guoguang, solidifying its status as a leader in modern Chinese tea technology. In the current era, the company has ramped up efforts to cultivate talent, training successors in traditional tea-making skills while also supporting numerous recipients of State Council special allowances.

Since the 1950s, ChinaTea has pioneered various processing technologies, such as white tea withering methods and ripe Pu-erh tea production techniques, which are now industry standards. The company has established a technical committee dedicated to promoting innovations like the rapid aging process of Liu Bao tea and the smart withering system for Dian Hong tea. By integrating cutting-edge technology — including IoT for smart tea gardens and big data for 5G logistics — ChinaTea enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of tea production.

ChinaTea also actively contributes to the establishment of national and industry standards, helping to ensure product quality that consistently exceeds regulatory requirements, thus setting the bar for the entire sector.

Transforming Resources into Quality Products

Tea production in China spans diverse climate zones, and the unique growing conditions often yield high-quality tea from seemingly poor soils. The ancient sage Lu Yu once remarked, “Good tea grows from poor soil,” highlighting that tea plants thrive in rocky, loose soils that do not compete with staple crops. This characteristic positions the tea industry as a crucial player in China’s rural revitalization efforts.

Each tea leaf not only enriches local farmers but also contributes to a broader narrative of rural renewal. As a leading force in the tea sector, ChinaTea harnesses its technological capabilities to provide farmers with the tools needed to escape poverty. During the 14th Five-Year Plan, the company formed a team of technology specialists focused on integrating the “Three Teas” with rural development, training over 3,000 local officials in tea cultivation practices.

“Show farmers how it’s done, guide them in their efforts, and help them thrive,” is the mantra at ChinaTea. The company is continuously innovating ways to leverage the tea industry for rural revitalization, establishing a model that combines industry growth, brand enhancement, and technological progress. In partnership with two states and 14 counties, ChinaTea has launched over 60 varieties of “ChinaTea + Specialty Quality Tea” products, building a diverse “Shanshui ChinaTea” product line. By deploying technology teams, the company ensures that scientific advancements translate into real-world benefits, turning “green mountains and clear waters” into “golden mountains and silver mountains.”