Zhejiang tea culture
Zhejiang is located in the subtropical zone, bordering the East China Sea in the east, Wuyishan in the south, Anhui and Jiangxi in the west and Suzhou and Shanghai in the north. Excellent geographical location and convenient transportation. The topography of the whole province is complex, and it is known as "seven mountains, one water and two fields", with gentle hills and acidic red and yellow soil. The climate belongs to subtropical monsoon type, with dry winter and rainy summer and strong sunshine. Annual average temperature 15~ 18 degrees Celsius, sunshine 1800~2 100 hours, and average rainfall 1 100 ~ 190.
Tea was first planted in Zhejiang during the Three Kingdoms period, and Ge Xuan successively established the first Taoist temple in Tiantai, Zhejiang. Because Taoism regards tea as a "fairy medicine" for health, Ge Xuan loves tea, and has set up "Gexian Tea Garden" in Huading, the main peak of Tiantai Mountain, and Zhushan Mountain in Linhai.
According to Lu Yu's Tea Classic, tea in Zhejiang in Tang Dynasty was divided into eastern Zhejiang and western Zhejiang, Changxing County, Anji and Wu Kang in Huzhou, Lin 'an, Yuqian and Qiantang in Hangzhou, and Tonglu in Zhou Mu in western Zhejiang. In eastern Zhejiang, there are Yuyao in Yuezhou, Maoxian in Mingzhou (Ningbo), Dongyang in Wuzhou (Jinhua) and Shifeng in Taizhou (Tiantai). In addition to the above areas, according to relevant literature, Wenzhou also has Yongjia.
During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Zhejiang's famous teas were all produced in some famous mountains. The relationship between Zhejiang famous tea and Zhejiang famous mountains and beautiful waters. Zhejiang Longjing tea on the picturesque Xizi Lake, Buddha tea on Putuo Mountain in Tiantai Mountain, which is known as "the fairy mountain of Buddha country", Huading Yunwu tea produced by Huading Peak, the main peak of Tiantai Mountain, and "Baiyun tea" on Yandang Mountain, which is unique in the world, are all accompanied by famous mountains and rivers.
With the discovery of excellent water quality and the improvement of tea planting and tea-making technology, people drank tea, which made the tea area in Zhejiang Province expand continuously in the Tang and Song Dynasties, the tea output also increased, and the tea sales were smoother. For example, in the Tang Dynasty, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province became the main distribution center of the tea market at that time. In the Song Dynasty, it developed into a dotted situation. The prosperity of tea has promoted the development of tea drinking custom and tea culture in Zhejiang.
Since the Song Dynasty, tea has become a necessity for wedding banquets. According to "Lu Hua Dong Meng" and "Liang Lumeng", the families of aristocratic businessmen held banquets to entertain guests, among which tea must be prepared. When the ancients got married during the wedding, both the host and the guests tasted sweet and fresh tea and exchanged greetings, which increased the festive and peaceful wedding.
Longjing tea culture is the pride of Zhejiang tea culture. West Lake Longjing Tea has become the representative of China green tea. Longjing tea is a fashion all over Zhejiang, and tea production all over the country also aims at Longjing tea. So far, the production technology of Longjing tea has spread to Vietnam and other countries. West Lake Longjing Tea has become one of the most distinctive green teas in China. It is largely due to the cultural connotation of Longjing tea, and its influence far exceeds the material level of famous tea itself. It has become synonymous with China tea.
The formation of Longjing tea's supreme position in China tea is the result of the historical and cultural accumulation of Zhejiang-Hangzhou tea. Its radiation power has exceeded that of tea itself. Tourists from all over Hangzhou are lucky enough to ask for tea in Longjing and enjoy the process of picking and making tea in the tea area. The tea culture of West Lake Longjing has become an important part of Hangzhou's historical and cultural city.