Leadership Insights | Illustrated Lectures:Wuyi Rock Tea: Emitting the Fragrance of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Wuyi rock tea craftsmanship is a national intangible cultural heritage item. Originating in the tea-producing area in Fujian Province’s Wuyi Mountain, it has a history of over 1,000 years. Its essence lies in the traditional techniques of “preparing tea leaves based on their original conditions and weathers.” Using exquisite manual skills, artisans perfectly integrate local rock landscapes with the color, aroma, and taste of the tea characterized by “rock bones with floral fragrance.”

The production process involves six major procedures: leaf picking, withering, drying, pan-frying, rolling, and baking, among which the “double frying and double rolling” and “slow simmering over low heat” charcoal-roasting techniques are the most distinctive. During the drying stage, alternating shaking and resting of the tea leaves is required to trigger enzymatic reactions, resulting in “green leaves with red edges.” The charcoal-roasting procedure relies on the tea master’s experience, using lychee charcoal to roast the tea leaves in low temperature for several days. In this way, the tea will have a rich flavor and roasted aroma. The entire process requires flexible adjustments based on the climate and the conditions of the tea leaves, demanding superb skills from the tea maker.

This craftsmanship not only embodies the ecological wisdom passed down through generations of tea makers in Wuyi Mountain but also reflects the traditional philosophy of “harmony between humans and nature.” It is a living example of the art of making oolong tea. After the craftsmanship was listed among the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage items in 2006, the local government has strengthened protection efforts through cultivating inheritors and standardizing craft documentation, enabling this ancient technique to continue thriving alongside contemporary tea culture.

Along the advancement of the times, the craftsmanship to make Wuyi rock tea has become more scientific and standardized. Modern technology enables precise control over tea quality, resulting in significant improvements in both yield and quality. In terms of market expansion, Wuyi rock tea has gained fame far and near, selling well both at home and abroad. The local government integrates Wuyi rock tea with cultural and creative products, developing distinctive tea sets and tea bags. Besides, digital technology enables tourists to better understand the tea-making techniques and tea culture. Leveraging big data for precise marketing, Wuyi rock tea has earned recognition and favor from more people.

We need to coordinate tea culture, the tea industry, and tea technology. In the past, the tea industry was the pillar industry for poverty alleviation here; in the future, it should become the pillar industry for rural revitalization.

监制:蔚力

策划:丁素云

文案:杨俊康