Blossoming Crops' Seasonal Gathering
Refresh: Spring Tea Picking in Zigui County
Harvest time has arrived for tea farmers in Zigui County, a location nestled in the heart of Yichang City, Hubei Province, famed for its expansive tea farms and cherished tea heritage.
Traditional practices can still be seen in the tea fields during spring's refined tea collection. This comprises forms that have been passed down through generations:
- Delicate handpicking: What the farmer picks decides the quality of the end product. With this careful selection, the tea's aroma and taste are enhanced.
- Pre-dawn gathering: The time matters. Farmers usually start their day early to catch the fresh, delicate leaves before they grow too big or bitter.
- Sifting: The gathered leaves undergo quality control, as the smaller, tender buds are separated from older ones.
The terroir of Zigui County can produce a diverse range of teas, primarily green, black, and oolong:
- Refreshing green tea: Adored for its light, healthful flavor, this brew is a top pick in the region.
- Rich black tea: The alternative option to green tea offers a stronger flavor and darker color.
- Unique oolong tea: While less common in Hubei, oolong tea with its partially fermented leaves can also be produced.
Spring tea picking sustains a local economy in many ways:
- Local employment: The tea industry is a vital source of income for the town, ensuring opportunities for residents.
- Economic impact: The tea market generates a substantial income for farmers and related businesses.
- Cultural preservation: The traditional tea-making methods protect the region's heritage, bringing tourists seeking an immersive cultural experience.
Current activities in the area include a brisk spring tea harvest, with farmers working tirelessly to meet the demand for this regional specialty. Besides tea, other local crops like Lunwan oranges are also flourishing, presenting a bountiful showcase of Zigui County's agricultural prowess[1][2][4].
In Yichang City's Zigui County, villagers continue to uphold traditional tea-picking practices that date back generations, such as delicate handpicking, pre-dawn gatherings, and sifting, to ensure the highest quality food-and-drink products, namely tea. By the year 2025, it is hoped that these traditional practices will help enrich the lifestyle of people not just in the central region of Hubei Province, but also attract tourists interested in home-and-garden experiences rooted in the region's cultural heritage. The growing demand for teas, such as refreshing green tea, rich black tea, and unique oolong tea, will contribute to the locally centralized food-and-drink industry, providing employment opportunities and economic growth for the villagers.
