A Shanghai tourist was full of praise after sampling Longding craft beer at a local barbecue stall in Kaihua county, Quzhou, Zhejiang province. The tea-infused beer, launched last summer, has quickly become a popular choice in the local dining scene.
Kaihua county, a major tea-producing area in Zhejiang, boasts over 6,660 hectares of tea plantations, primarily producing the renowned Kaihua Longding green tea.
The short harvesting period and limited yield of spring tea posed challenges. "We've been exploring ways to enhance the economic benefits of Kaihua Longding beyond traditional sales," said Fu Zhenzhen, deputy general manager of Zhejiang Longding Tea Co.
Targeting the emerging tea beer market, the company developed Longding craft beer, using 2 grams of Kaihua Longding tea leaves per liter. This delicate balance of flavors has set it apart, quickly gaining popularity since its debut.
Bottles of tea beverages roll off the production line. [Photo/Tide News]
Additionally, the innovative tea-based beverages developed by Zhejiang Yunfeng Biotechnology — combining Kaihua Longding tea and shihu (the stems of Dendrobium nobile), a prized herb in traditional Chinese medicine — have achieved sales exceeding 10 million yuan ($1.47 million) within six months of their launch.
Kaihua Longding is now a staple in various sectors, from craft beers to health-focused tea drinks and snacks like matcha nougat and cookies.
"Kaihua is actively embracing consumer upgrades, positioning itself as a key supplier of innovative tea-based beverages and foods in the Yangtze River Delta region and beyond," said an official from Kaihua's tea industry development center.
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