Popis
Chinese tea (Zhong Cha) is the current name of the factory that was established as a complex of several factories in Wuzhou on January 18, 1953, under the state trademark CNNP. To this day, it specializes in the production of Hei Cha (fermented teas), especially Liu Bao.
Tea production in the Liubao area (near Cangwu County, Wuzhou) dates back more than 1,500 years. Liu Bao tea was already grown and traded during the Qing dynasty and was transported by ships along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. However, its modern, strongly fermented character developed only in the second half of the 20th century.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the factory played an important role in the development of wet piling fermentation (渥堆 – wò duī), which significantly changed the character of fermented teas and revolutionized their production and flavor profile.
Today, the factory is owned by China Tea Co., Ltd. (also known as the Zhong Cha / CNNP brand) and is part of COFCO Corporation (China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation), one of the largest state-owned agricultural and food conglomerates in China.
The company aims to make Liu Bao a global product. This is reflected in the rapid growth of Liu Bao production in the Wuzhou (Guangxi) region, which has increased significantly in recent years – from approximately 17,000 tons in 2019 to about 35,000 tons per year by 2023.
Key dates in the history of the factory
- 1953 – founded as a complex of Hei Cha processing factories
- February 28, 1999 – launch of the legendary export brand Duoteli
- December 26, 2007 – restructuring into the current China Tea Co., Ltd. (Zhong Cha), which operates to this day
This tea comes from 2011 and is classified as Grade 1. The leaves are very small and strongly fermented.
The tea was aged for 5 years in several factory warehouses, mainly in a modern wooden warehouse with controlled humidity of around 80%. It was then aged for an additional 10 years in Malaysia, under very favorable average humidity conditions.
Thanks to its quality, this tea is suitable for competition in the Zhong Cha Cup for the best Liu Bao in its category. It offers a very strong, herbal character and outstanding long-term aging potential.
Recipe code “112016” means:
- 1 – year 2011
- 1 – 1st Grade
- 2016 – batch year
Aroma: very expressive and attractive, with dominant notes of cocoa, walnuts, rare spices, and dried herbs
Taste: extremely full and powerful, with excellent aging potential; dominated by bitter chocolate, nuts, and rare spices, with a long herbal finish
Region: Guangxi, China
Factory: CNNP Wuzhou
Packed: 2016
Material: 2011
Country of origin: China
Weight: 50 g