Path of Tea Production Area

The origins of tea is believed at Western south of Yunnan province in China. At BC 500, tea was already drank by Gushu ethnic group in Shuba (current Sichuan). Later the process of tea cultivation technique was developed by Han ethnic people and spread widely along the Yanzi river. In the 400th, tea was produced in Sichuan, Heibei, Anhui, and Jisangsu. During the Tang dynasty (around year 800) tea was more widely cultivated in Jiangxi, Shezian, Fujian, Guandong, Guanxi, Guizhou, and Jiangxi. Tea was often cultivated in the property of Buddhist temple. Therefore, the famous teas with long history often has connection to the Buddhism. The production of those special teas such as Longjing are 14 percent of all green tea production in China. In 1998, green tea was widely produced in Fujian, Zhejian, Yunnan, Anhui, Hebei, Sichuan province with total production of 420,000 tons. Oolong tea was originated in Fujian in the 18th century, and now also produced in Guantong, and Taiwan. Total production of Oolong tea is 70000 tons, and 40 % of them are exported to Japan. Rest of them are drank in Fujian, Guandong, Hongkong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Pu-er tea is produced mainly in Henan with total production of 30000 tons, and they are drank in East part of China, Mongolia, and Central Asia. Black tea was originated in Fujian during the 18th century and fine black tea such as Keemon was produced, but now most of the black tea are coming Yunnan, Guandong, and Hainan and 77000 tons are exported to other countries.

(Tadakazu Takeo)