Fujian is the birthplace of tea culture, whose history dates back to over 1,000 years ago. The written record of tea production in Fujian is more than 300 years earlier than The Classic of Tea written by Lu Yu from the Tang Dynasty. The tea culture of Fujian reflects the exceptional natural conditions in the province. Fujian is the province where the most types of tea are produced and the most extraordinary tea tasting techniques are practiced. Jianzhan (also known as tenmoku) and tea competition were popular in the Song and Yuan dynasties. During the Ming and Qing dynasties new techniques were developed to produce Oolong tea. The production techniques of Wuyi rock tea greatly enriched Fujian’s tea culture. Oolong Tea is mainly produced in Anxi and Mount Wuyi, and Jasmine tea, in Fuzhou. The best black tea comes from Mount Wuyi.

A black-glazed tea bowl from a Song Daynasty kiln in Jianyang

Dahongpao tea tree in Mount Wuyi

High-mountain tea plantation