[Explanation] Recently, the reporter learned from the press conference on the protection and management of West Lake Longjing tea in Hangzhou that the "Longjing 43" variety of West Lake Longjing tea will be officially mined on March 13 this year.
On March 13, the reporter came to Wengjiashan, one of the main production areas of Longjing tea in Hangzhou West Lake, early in the morning. Along the winding mountain road, many tea pickers had already started their day's work.
[Concurrent] Ms. Lei, a tea picker
We live in Xianlin (Yuhang District) (the aunt who came so far away). We rode a battery car to the lower ridge of the second tunnel. It was Longjing Road. (The boss) picked us up by car.
(They all said that they would come to pick tea at 5 or 6 o'clock in the early morning. Why do we do this?) Yes, we live far away, and we (go out) at 5 o'clock (far away) (how about our wages this year? Last year They seem to be about 200-240 yuan this year) This year is still so much.
[Explanation] Sun Bin, Secretary of the General Party Branch of Wengjiashan Village, Xihu Street, Hangzhou, told reporters that at present, there are some sporadic teas being mined by various families in the village, and large-scale picking will begin tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. The next period of time will be Wengjiashan's annual It is the busiest season, but what is gratifying is that this year's West Lake Longjing tea is more worth looking forward to than last year in terms of quality, taste and aroma.
[Concurrent] Sun Bin, Secretary of the Party Branch of Wengjiashan Village, Xihu Street, Hangzhou
Including some teas that have been mined successively in the past two days, we also went to taste the quality. Overall, I think it is better than last year, better than the same period last year.
In terms of shape and tea soup, compared with last year, there are not many overwintering buds in appearance this year, and the shape is much better. In terms of quality, because there are no overwintering buds, the overall tea is still one bud and one leaf or two leaves and one bud. It is mainly for the first time, so the overall taste is very good, including the aroma is also particularly high.
[Explanation] As the saying goes, "Tea before Ming Dynasty is as expensive as gold", and West Lake Longjing tea only has one season of spring tea.
The reporter interviewed randomly in the village, but most of the tea merchants refused to interview. A tea merchant who did not want to be named told the reporter that at present, their spring tea sells for about 5,000 yuan (RMB) per catty, and the locals have a little discount.
Sun Bin said that the number of tourists and tea merchants this year has increased significantly compared with the same period last year. Judging from the current market situation, the price of spring tea this year has increased slightly.
[Concurrent] Local tea merchants
(Hangzhou locals, what price do you generally sell) The box is still tea (leaves) tea (a little more affordable) is more than 3,000 yuan cheaper.
(Toucha) Now they fry it for 5,000 yuan, and everyone sells it casually.
[Concurrent] Sun Bin, Secretary of the Party Branch of Wengjiashan Village, Xihu Street, Hangzhou
From the perspective of the current number of our tourists, there has been an increase of two to three hundred times compared to the same period last year. In fact, since the end of February this year, some tea merchants have come to the site one after another.
Judging from the current market situation, I think the price has increased slightly compared with last year, but the increase rate is not particularly large, estimated to be around 5%.
Shen Yishan and Wu Liujing reported from Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]