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Since 1992.
The Story Behind Tianmu Qingding
A Veteran Tea Maker’s Memories of Lin’an Tea Factory and Tea Export Journey
Through the memories of veteran tea maker Yuan Shaohua, this article the revival of Tianmu Qingding and its journey into international marketsduring the early years of China’s reform and opening-up,Showcasing the golden age of Lin’an Tea Factory and Zhejiang tea exports.
Historical Opportunity: The Revival of premium teas in the Late 1970s
After the reform and opening-up in 1978, China’s tea industry began to recover,and regions such as Zhejiang and Anhui beginning to revive their traditional tea varieties.
In the same year, tea experts including Zhuang Wanfang published an article in Hong Kong’s Economic Herald, highly praised the excellent quality of Lin’an and Yuqian roasted green tea, and describing it as a premium tea resource for both domestic and international markets. In 1979, Lin’an County officially implemented the ideas presented in the article and restarted the restoration and development of Tianmu Qingding tea.
A Century-Old Legacy and Recognition as a Key Zhejiang Tea
Building on the historical foundation of the 1910 Nanyang Industrial Exposition Gold Award, Lin’an officially designated Tianmu Qingding as a priority tea development project.
Since 1970, Lin’an roasted green tea has been uniformly refined by Lin’an Tea Factory and included in the province’s export plan, with strong market demand and an excellent reputation.
In 1979, with the support of the Zhejiang Tea Company,Tianmu Qingding was recognized as one of Zhejiang’s key traditional teas selected for restoration and development.
From 1979 to 1985, local tea makers repeatedly conducted trials on the production techniques of premium Qingding tea,and established the foundation of its modern processing techniques.
In 1985, the development of Tianmu Qingding was listed as a key scientific research project in Lin’an. The government provided funding, equipment, and agricultural resources to support the expansion of premium tea production.
From 1989 to 1991, Lin’an Tea Factory cooperated with the Zhejiang Tea Import and Export Company to take the lead in exporting organic tea to the Netherlands, Europe, and the United States, becoming one of the pioneers in bringing organic Zhejiang tea to overseas markets.
Multiple Awards in the 1980s
As production techniques matured, Tianmu Qingding earned recognition in a series of provincial and municipal tea competitions:
- 1986: Recognized as a High-Quality Tea of Zhejiang Province
- 1987: Awarded as an Excellent Tea Award at the Provincial Tea Competition
- 1988: Recognized as a Famous Tea of Hangzhou and a First-Class Famous Tea of Zhejiang Province
Passed Provincial-Level Official Evaluation in 1988
In November 1988, after an expert review and evaluation by provincial and municipal specialists, Tianmu Qingding was officially recognized as a famous tea at both provincial and municipal levels,establishing Tianmu Qingding as one of Zhejiang’s most recognized traditional teas.
The Peak of Overseas Trade: Zhejiang’s Second-Largest Exported Tea
With a tea history dating back to the Tang Dynasty, Tianmu Mountain has long been recognized as a renowned tea-producing region. Blessed with unique high-mountain ecological conditions and traditional craftsmanship, Tianmu Qingding is known for its vibrant green appearance, clear infusion, elegant aroma, and mellow taste.
During the golden era of tea exports in the 1980s and 1990s:
Tianmu Qingding’s export volume consistently ranked second among Zhejiang’s famous teas, following only West Lake Longjing.
It was one of the major export teas of the Zhejiang Tea Import and Export Company.
Lin’an Tea Factory coordinated the refining, packaging, and export of famous teas across Zhejiang, becoming a core base for Zhejiang tea entering international markets.
Every leaf of Qingding tea carries the memory of Lin’an’s tea revival and reflects the golden era when Zhejiang tea began its journey to global markets.
