Zhijiang abounds with evergreen trees (technically, Mujiangyeke). The tender buds and leaves have a sweet taste. The local Dong people use similar green tea processing technology to produce it as a substitute for tea, which is commonly known as sweet tea. According to the Records of Zhijiang County, Zhijiang sweet tea has been taken for more than 800 years among the folk. It is said that it is a divine tea given to the Dong people by the “Guanyin Bodhisattva”, so it is also commonly known as “Guanyin Tea”. Zhijiang sweet tea integrates three functions of “sugar, tea and medicine”. Sugar refers to its sweet taste without sugar. The tea soup contains a high content of extracts, rich in calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, VC, VB1, VB2 and other trace elements and vitamins beneficial to human health, which can improve immune function with a unique therapeutic value. Medicine refers to its high medicinal function. According to the analysis and research of Shanghai Pharmaceutical Research Institute, it contains rich phloridzin and trefoil glycoside, and has the effects of anti-aging, anti-three highs, anti-virus, anti-cancer, memory enhancement, beauty and weight loss, especially for type 2 diabetes.

(Translated by Tian Xia)