In September 1972, when Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka visited China, he talked with Premier Zhou Enlai about his impression of Jietan tea.

Jietan Tea, from the ancient Chenzhou (present-day Yuanling County) in western Hunan, has enjoyed a prestigious reputation throughout the country and is famous both domestically and internationally. Jietan Tea is produced on the slopes of Jietan Mountain, located 50 kilometers northeast of Yuanling County along the bank of the Yuanshui River. According to legend, Hu Fengjiao, the consort of Emperor Ruizong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), visited Chenzhou and personally picked tea leaves. As a result, Jietan Tea is also known as “Empress Tea”, and it was long regarded as a tribute to the feudal court, even being exported to countries like Japan and India. Jietan Tea has won the title of “Chinese Famous Tea” multiple times in national tea competitions.

Those who have tasted Jietan Tea all praise it. Take Maojian Tea for instance, each bud measures only about ten millimeters in length, with elegant, upright tips and branches that gracefully bend. When brewed, the tea has a clear and bright color, with tender green leaves at the bottom. The flavor is refreshing and sweet, with an aroma that lingers, leaving a delightful aftertaste that uplifts the spirit.

(Translated by Yang Hong)