Anxi is a county in the southeastern part of Fujian Province near Xiamen. It is the main producing area of ??oolong tea in southern Fujian. Tea cultivation has a long history and has been produced since the Tang Dynasty. Tea production. Anxi has abundant rainfall and a mild climate, which is suitable for the growth of tea trees. Through the hard work of tea generations, a series of improved tea varieties have been bred and bred. Currently, there are more than 60 improved varieties preserved in Anxi, including Tieguanyin, Huangdan, Benshan, Hairy crab, Daye Oolong, Mei Zhan, etc. are all well-known varieties in the country. Therefore, Anxi is known as the “Treasure House of Fine Tea Tree Breeds”. Among the many varieties of tea trees, the one with the best quality and the highest reputation is "Tieguanyin".
Tieguanyin is native to Xiping Town, Anxi County, and has a history of more than 200 years. There is still a story about the origin of the Tieguanyin variety in Anxi. According to legend, during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Wei Yin, a tea farmer from Xipingshangyao in Anxi, made excellent tea. He brewed three cups of tea every morning and evening to worship Guanyin Bodhisattva for ten years, which shows his sincerity in worshiping the Buddha. One night, Wei Yin dreamed of a tea tree with an orchid scent on the cliff. When he was about to pick it, a dog barking woke him up from his sweet dream. The next day, I found a tea tree on the cliff that was exactly the same as in my dream. So I picked some buds and leaves, took them home, and made them carefully. After the tea is made, the tea tastes sweet and refreshing, and the spirit is lifted. Wei thought it was the king of tea, so he dug up the tea plant and took it home to propagate it. After a few years, the tea tree grew luxuriantly. Because this tea is as beautiful as Guanyin and as heavy as iron, and it was obtained by Guanyin in a dream, it is called "Iron Goddess of Mercy". From then on Tieguanyin became famous all over the world. Tieguanyin is the best oolong tea. Its quality characteristics are: the tea sticks are straight and round, fat and round, heavy and even, sandy green in color, and the overall shape is like a clear dragonfly's head, a spiral body, and a frog's legs. After brewing, the soup is yellow and rich like amber, with a natural and fragrant orchid fragrance. The taste is mellow and sweet, with a long aftertaste. It is commonly known as "yinyun". The tea has a high and long-lasting sound, which can be said to be "the fragrance remains after seven brews".
(4) The legend of Dahongpao
Dahongpao (one of the top ten famous teas in China) is a famous treasure among Wuyi rock tea (oolong tea) in Fujian Province. It is the highest quality among Wuyi rock teas and is produced in Wuyi Mountain in the southeast of Chong'an, Fujian. There are many varieties of tea trees planted in Wuyi Mountain, including the "four famous trees": Dahongpao, Iron Arhat, White Cockscomb, and Water Scarab. In addition, there are Bujiantian and Golden Key, named after the tea growing environment; Zui Begonia, Zuidong Bin, Diao Jingui, Fengweicao, etc. named after the shape of the tea tree; Melon Seed Gold, Qianqian, Bamboo Silk, and Gold named after the shape of the tea leaves. Willow, willow, etc.
The legend of the origin of Dahongpao is very good. Legend has it that in ancient times, a poor scholar went to Beijing to take the exam. When passing by Wuyi Mountain, he fell ill on the road. Fortunately, the old abbot of Tianxin Temple saw him and made him a bowl of tea. , Sure enough, the illness was cured. Later, he was named on the scholar gold list, won the first prize, and was recruited as the prince's consort. One spring day, the number one scholar came to Wuyi Mountain to express his gratitude. Accompanied by the old abbot, he arrived at Jiulong Nest and saw three tall tea trees growing on the cliff, with lush branches and leaves, sprouting clusters of buds. The bottom is shining with purple-red luster, which is really cute. The old abbot said that last year you suffered from bulging disease, which was cured by making tea with this kind of tea.
A long time ago, every spring when the tea trees sprouted, they would blow drums to summon a group of monkeys, put on red clothes and trousers, climb up the cliff to pick tea leaves, fry them and store them, which can cure all kinds of diseases. After hearing this, the champion asked to buy a box to pay tribute to the emperor. The next day, incense and candles were burned in the temple, drums and bells were beaten, and the monks were summoned to the Nine Dragon Nest. Everyone came to burn incense and worship under the tea tree, shouting in unison, "Tea sprouts!" Then they picked the buds and leaves, made them with precision, and put them into tin boxes. After the champion brought tea to Beijing, he encountered the queen who had a bloated stomach and was bedridden. The champion immediately offered tea to the queen, and as expected, the tea cured her illness. The emperor was overjoyed and handed a big red robe to the champion and asked him to go to Wuyi Mountain to reward him on his behalf. Along the way, salutes were blasting and candles were brightly lit. When they arrived at Jiulong Nest, the champion ordered a woodcutter to climb halfway up the mountain and put the big red robe given by the emperor on the tea tree to show the emperor's favor. Strangely enough, when the Dahongpao was opened, the buds and leaves of the three tea trees shone red in the sun. People said that this was the Dahongpao dyed red. Later, people called these three tea trees "Dahongpao". Someone also carved the three characters "Dahongpao" on the stone wall. From then on, Dahongpao became a tribute tea year after year.
(5) The legend of Junshan Silver Needle
Junshan in Dongting Lake in Hunan Province produces the famous Silver Needle tea. It is said that the first seed of Junshan tea was from Ehuang more than 4,000 years ago. , sown by female heroes. When Mingzong Li Siyuan, the second emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty, went to court for the first time, his courtiers held him a cup to make tea. When he poured boiling water into the cup, he immediately saw a cloud of white mist rising into the sky, and slowly a white crane appeared. . The white crane nodded three times to Mingzong and then flew toward the blue sky. Looking into the cup again, the tea leaves in the cup are all hanging upright, like a group of bamboo shoots emerging from the ground. After a while, it slowly sank again, like falling snowflakes. Mingzong felt strange and asked his ministers what was the reason. The courtier replied, "This is because the water from Junshan's Baihe Spring (i.e. Liuyi Well) is used to brew Huang Lingmao (i.e. Silver Needle Tea)." Mingzong was very happy and immediately decreed that Junshan Silver Needle be designated as "tribute tea". When Junshan Yinzhen is brewed, the tea buds stand upright in the cup, which is extremely beautiful.
(6) The Legend of Silver Needle
Zhenghe County in the northeast of Fujian Province is rich in a famous tea, which is as white as silver and shaped like a needle. It is said that this tea can improve eyesight and reduce fire. It has a miraculous effect and can cure "big fire syndrome". This tea is called "Pakhao Silver Needle" (one of the top ten famous teas).
It is said that one year long ago, there was a long drought and plague in the Zhenghe area. There were some fairy grass beside a dragon well on Donggong Mountain. The juice of the grass can cure all diseases. Many brave young men went looking for fairy grass, but they never returned. There is a family with three brothers and sisters, Zhigang, Zhicheng and Zhiyu. The three agreed to take turns looking for the fairy grass. On this day, the eldest brother came to the foot of Donggong Mountain. At this time, an old man walked out of the road and told him that the fairy grass was next to the Longjing on the mountain. When going up the mountain, you can only move forward and not look back, otherwise you will not be able to collect the fairy grass. Zhigang climbed halfway up the mountain in one breath, only to see the mountain full of rocks, which was eerie and terrifying. But suddenly he heard a shouting "How dare you go up!" Zhigang was shocked. When he turned around, he immediately turned into this rocky hill. A new stone on top. Zhicheng then went to find the fairy grass. When I climbed halfway up the mountain, I turned back and turned into a huge boulder. The task of finding the fairy grass finally fell on Zhiyu. After she set off, she also met the white-haired grandfather on the way. He also told her not to look back and waited for words, and gave her a piece of baked glutinous rice cake. Plugging his ears and determined not to look back, he finally climbed to the top of the mountain and came to the Dragon Well. He picked the buds and leaves from the fairy grass and watered the fairy grass with well water. The fairy grass blossomed and formed seeds. Zhiyu picked the seeds and immediately went down the mountain. After returning home, he planted the seeds all over the hillside. This kind of fairy grass is the tea tree, and this is the origin of the famous Baihao Yinzhen tea.
(7) The legend of White Peony
Fuding County, Fujian Province is rich in white peony tea (one of the top ten famous teas). Legend has it that during the Western Han Dynasty, a man named Mao Yi Because he couldn't stand the corrupt officials in power, he abandoned his official position and went to live in seclusion in the mountains and forests with his mother. The mother and son came to a green mountain and felt a strange fragrance. After asking an old man, they learned that the fragrance came from eighteen white peonies beside the lotus pond. The mother and son saw that the place looked like a fairyland, so they stayed. One day, my mother fell ill due to old age and fatigue. Mao Yi looked for medicine everywhere.
One day, Mao Yi dreamed of a fairy with white hair and silver beards. The fairy told him, "To cure your mother's illness, carp must be mixed with new tea. Both are indispensable." Mao Yi believed that it must be the guidance of the fairy. It was the cold winter season. Mao Yi went to the pond to catch carp in the ice, but where to pick new tea in winter? When he was in trouble, the eighteen peonies turned into eighteen immortal teas, and the trees were covered with green buds and leaves. Mao Yi immediately picked it and dried it in the sun. The white and fluffy tea leaves looked like blossoming white peonies. Mao Yi immediately cooked carp with new tea and gave it to his mother. As expected, her mother's illness was cured. Later, the famous tea produced in this area was called "White Peony Tea".
(8) The legend of jasmine
A long time ago, Beijing tea merchant Chen Guqiu and a tea master studied what kind of tea northerners like to drink. Chen Guqiu suddenly remembered that a southern girl once gave He had not tasted a bag of tea, so he found it and asked the master to taste it. When brewing, as soon as the lid of the bowl was opened, the aroma first hit the nostrils, and then in the rising heat, I saw a beautiful girl holding a bouquet of jasmine flowers in both hands. After a while, it turned into a ball of hot steam. Chen Guqiu was puzzled and asked the master. The master said: "This tea is the best tea in the world, 'Repaying Favor Tea'." Chen Guqiu recalled his experience of meeting a lonely girl three years ago when he went to the south to buy tea and stay in a hotel. The girl told her that her father's body was lying at home and she had no money for burial. Chen Guqiu felt deep sympathy and gave her some money. Three years later, when he went to the south again this spring, the innkeeper handed him this small bag of tea, saying that it was given to him by the girl three years ago. It was not brewed at that time, so who would have expected it to be a treasure. "Why is she holding jasmine flowers alone?" The two brewed again, and the girl holding jasmine flowers appeared again. Chen Gulai realized while sipping tea: "In my opinion, this is a reminder from the tea fairy that jasmine can be used in tea." The next year, jasmine was added to the tea, and since then there has been a new type of tea, jasmine tea (Top Ten Famous Teas). one).
(9) The legend of Biluochun
According to legend, a long time ago, there lived a girl named Biluo on the West Dongting Mountain, and a girl named Axiang lived on the East Dongting Mountain. young man. The two of them loved each other deeply. One year, a ferocious and cruel dragon appeared in Taihu Lake and threatened to kill Biluo girl. Axiang was determined to fight the dragon to the death. One night, Axiang picked up a harpoon and sneaked to the West Dongting Mountain to fight with the dragon until the fight... After seven days and seven nights, both parties were exhausted, and A Xiang fainted in a pool of blood. In order to repay Ah Xiang for saving his life, Miss Biluo took care of him personally. But Axiang's injury worsened day by day. One day, the girl was looking for herbs and came to the place where Xiang fought with the dragon. Suddenly she saw a small tea tree growing very well. She thought: This is the testimony of Xiang's fight with the dragon. She should cultivate it well. Around the Qingming Festival, the small tea tree sprouted tender green buds and leaves. Biluo picked a handful of young shoots and went home to brew them for Axiang to drink. Strangely enough, after drinking this tea, Xiang got better day by day. Axiang was saved, and the heavy stone in the girl's heart fell to the ground. Just when the two were intoxicated in the happiness of love, Biluo's body could no longer support her. She fell into Axiang's arms and could no longer open her eyes. Axiang was so distraught that he buried the girl next to a tea tree in Dongting Mountain. From then on, he worked hard to cultivate tea trees and collect famous tea. "Good tea has always been like a beautiful woman", in memory of Miss Biluo. People named this precious tea "Biluochun".
(10) The Legend of Dongding Oolong Tea
It is said that Taiwanese Dongding Oolong Tea was developed by a Taiwanese named Lin Fengchi who brought tea seedlings from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian to Taiwan for planting. Lin Fengchi’s ancestral home is Fujian. One year, he heard that Fujian was going to hold an imperial examination and wanted to take part, but his family was poor and had no travel expenses. Villagers donated money one after another. Before leaving, the villagers said to him: "When you arrive in Fujian, you must say hello to the folks in our ancestral home. We Taiwan folks miss them very much." Lin Fengchi passed the Juren Examination and a few years later, he decided to return to Taiwan. While visiting relatives, I brought 36 oolong tea seedlings back to Taiwan and planted them on Dongding Mountain in Lugu Township, Nantou. After careful cultivation and breeding, a tea garden has been built, and the tea collected is fragrant and delicious. Later, Lin Fengchi was ordered to advance to Beijing, and he presented this tea to Emperor Daoguang. The emperor praised the tea after drinking it. Because this tea is collected from Dongding Mountain in Taiwan, it is called Dongding Tea. From then on, Taiwan oolong tea was also called "frozen top oolong tea".