Songyang tea gets trendy new flavors

Tea beverages made from Songyang tea. [Photo/Tide News]

During the tea-scented spring, many tea buyers visiting Songyang county in Lishui, Zhejiang province, have discovered new ways to enjoy the local tea.

Products such as kumquat tea sparkling drinks, tea craft beer, tea soda, tea cookies, and crispy tea snacks are all made from Songyang tea, giving the ancient leaf a youthful and trendy taste.

Songyang is a major tea-producing county in Zhejiang province with over 150,000 mu (10,000 hectares) of tea gardens. In the past, tea was mostly sold in dried leaf form. To create greater value, the local government partnered with research teams to incorporate modern, trendy elements into traditional tea products.

The Songyang Tea Industry Research Institute developed five processed products targeting young consumers' preferences for social, leisure, portable, and ready-to-drink options.

The research team said that Songyang tea's strong aroma and mellow taste make it ideal for further processing. These products retain the tea's original flavor while developing a unique competitive edge.

These innovations have also raised the value of summer-autumn tea leaves, which were previously underutilized. According to the agriculture and rural affairs bureau of Songyang county, deep processing has significantly increased the added value of tea, directly boosting farmers' incomes.

Last year, Songyang developed over 20 tea-derived products, covering food, beverages, and daily chemicals. The county also continues to attract and cultivate deep-processing enterprises.

Future plans include tea-flavored ice cream and tea-infused wine, allowing Songyang tea to retain its fragrance while embracing innovation.