If Fujian is famous for something, then I think it has to be tea. Why do you say that? Fujian's tea culture has a history of a thousand years. As a natural place rich in tea, it is inseparable from its unique geographical location, and the tea produced is so wide that some people can't tell the difference between Gongmei and Shoumei. , let me introduce to you Gongmei, which has the highest yield among white teas. What is its relationship with Shoumei?

Gongmei white tea is made from the buds and leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. This kind of Maocha made from the buds and leaves of the Camellia sinensis is called "Xiaobai" to distinguish it from "Dabai" Maocha made from the buds and leaves of Fuding Dabai Tea and Zhenghe Dabai Tea tea trees. In the past, the tea buds of vegetable tea were used to make varieties such as Baihao Silver Needle, but later "Dabai" was used to make Baihao Silver Needle and White Peony, while Xiaobai was used to make Gongmei.

White tea is a specialty of Fujian Province, and its production areas include Jianyang, Zhenghe, Songxi, Fuding and other counties (cities). White tea was first seen in "Daguan Tea Theory·White Tea" by Zhao Ji, Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty: "White tea is a kind of tea by itself, different from regular tea." "Jianou County Chronicles Volume 25" records that "Pekko tea came out of Xixiang and Zixi. Li (now Juekeng Village, Zhangdun Town, Jianyang City) ”

Zhangdun Town, Jianyang City is adjacent to Songxi, Zhenghe, Pucheng and Jianou. It is the shortest ancient road between Fujian and Zhejiang. The only place that business roads pass through is the tea-producing area with a long history. The town is surrounded by hills, gurgling streams, abundant rainfall, and thick tea trees. According to local farmers, the collected tea leaves are cold in nature after being "withered and dried" and have the effect of reducing fever, dispelling summer heat and detoxifying. They are used to treat toothache, measles, etc. In order to preserve the tea leaves for later use, the fresh and tender tea buds must be dried in the sun. Dried or roasted. This is the origin of the original white tea craft. This kind of tea is only dried without rolling, and dried in the sun or slow fire. The white hair is exposed, which resembles Shouxian eyebrows. The locals are commonly known as Shoumei white tea.

According to two old tea farmers, 74-year-old Xiao Wunu and Rao Tairong, the fifth-generation founder of Nankeng White Tea in Juekeng Village, Zhangdun Town, white tea is the product of their Xiao Subo (Xiao Wunu) It was founded by my great-grandfather) and Xiao Zhangao’s ancestors. At that time, it was made from the young buds and leaves of local vegetable tea. It was commonly known as "Nangeng Bai" or "Xiaobai". Because it was covered with pekoe, it was also called "Pekoe Tea". Later generations referred to it as white tea. The Xiao family is a family of local tea farmers and tea merchants. Xiao Zhangao died at the age of 70. His tomb was of high standard and the inscription on the tombstone was: "Hitachi in September of the 22nd year of Daoguang Renyin".

The Xiao family runs a tea mountain and a large tea factory called "Shanglin Factory". The stone slabs about 2 meters long and 50 centimeters wide and the square floor tiles about 50 centimeters wide at the "Shanglin Factory" site were all high-end building materials that were rare at that time. Such a majestic building can also reflect the prosperity of white tea production and sales at that time.

In the Qing Dynasty, the Shoumei white tea produced by the Xiao brothers was purchased by the imperial court. The local people called the items purchased by the imperial court as tribute. The name of tribute Shoumei White Tea (referred to as "Gongmei White Tea") comes from this. Article 7 of Zuo Zongtang's "Measures for the Introduction of Supervisory Seal Official Tickets" of the Qing Dynasty states: "The tea tickets received from the vassal academy were originally only sold in six-color miscellaneous teas including Pekoe, Wuyi, Xiangpian, Zhulan, Daye, and Pu'er. , all produced in Fujian and Yunnan...". The Lifan Yuan was the highest authority in the Qing Dynasty governing ethnic minorities such as Mongolia, Hui and Tibet. It was also responsible for handling foreign affairs with Russia. Tea tickets are tea monopoly certificates obtained by tea merchants after paying tea taxes. This shows that white tea at that time was not only used by the royal family, but was also exported to Gansu and other regions and abroad.

In 1984, the white tea produced in Zhangdun Town was rated as a famous Chinese tea at the Hefei National Famous Tea Quality Appraisal Conference. After that, the Zhangdun Town Government registered the "Gongmei" trademark for use by several local tea factories. Several tea factories in Zhenghe County jointly used the "Gongmei" trademark to sell white tea, and the name "Gongmei" became popular. Fu'an and other places call Gongmei white tea top grade, and its grade is better than Shoumei white tea

Conclusion Gongmei belongs to white tea, also known as Shoumei. Usually, "Gongmei" means top grade, and its quality is better than Shoumei. However, in recent years, it is generally called Gongmei instead of Shoumei.

The high-quality finished Gongmei tea has clear hairs and white hairs. The dry tea is emerald green in color. After brewing, the tea soup turns orange or dark yellow. The bottom of the leaves is even, soft and bright. When the leaves are viewed against the light, the main veins can be seen through It is red in color and has a mellow taste and pure aroma when you drink it.