The First 2013 Cross-Strait Tea Competition & Spring Tea Tasting Event Held

　　Hupu Longjing Information Platform, May 3: Observing the tea strips, inhaling the aroma, savoring the tea liquor—2012’s cross-strait tea competition-winning teas drew tea enthusiasts from far and wide. Yesterday, the inaugural 2013 Cross-Strait Tea Competition, dubbed the "Tea Immortal Contest," along with a spring tea tasting event, took place at the sales office of Qixing Mansion. Tea lovers gathered to enjoy the delicate spring brews and share their expertise on all things tea. With four distinct tea varieties and five samples up for evaluation, participants were tasked with determining the quality ranking of each. Yet despite their years of experience, even the most seasoned tea connoisseurs found this seemingly straightforward challenge utterly perplexing—and in the end, no one managed to correctly guess the entire lineup.

　　First look, then smell, and finally taste—tea enthusiasts unleash their signature skills.

　　Silk and bamboo instruments harmonize, the gentle breeze rustles through the pines of Linquan, and the warmth of Mengchen fills the air… Accompanied by serene, graceful melodies, the tea artists from Yunming Tea House present Yang’s uniquely crafted "Taiwan Small Pot Gongfu Tea Ceremony." After savoring this elegant tea performance, the official Tea Master Competition officially kicks off.

　　Tea enthusiasts at the scene were divided into groups of five, according to their registered categories. Within the competition area, five tea samples from four different varieties were arranged in sequence. Participants tasted each sample three times through multiple infusions, carefully noting down their personal rankings of the teas—deciding which they considered best and worst. As soon as each group stepped into the competition zone, everyone instantly became focused and serious, meticulously examining the dry leaves, inhaling the aroma, and even sniffing the bottom of the teacups. Clearly, everyone was putting their years of tea-tasting expertise—and "secret weapons"—to the test.

　　“No rush—let’s try the second infusion to see which one stands out.” “You’ve got to steep it to truly appreciate the differences between them”... Gathered around the table, some contestants meticulously analyzed every aspect of each tea infusion—its appearance, aroma, and taste—while others remained refreshingly casual, quickly jotting down their personal rankings after just one sip.

　　"Temperature and brewing time make a huge difference, but it’s incredibly hard to tell the good from the bad," said a contestant from the Da Hong Pao category. Other participants echoed the sentiment, noting that the distinctions are often subtle—so subtle, in fact, that the more you taste, the more confused you become, making it truly tough to judge.

　　The difference was too subtle—ultimately, no one was chosen as the Tea Sage.

　　After nearly two hours of tea tasting, the moment everyone had been eagerly awaiting arrived—determining who would earn the coveted title of "Tea Sage." As the rankings on the tea sample jars were finally revealed, the tea enthusiasts couldn’t contain their excitement: they sprang to their feet, leaning forward with bated breath. "Unfortunately," the staff announced with a hint of disappointment, "no one managed to correctly guess the exact order of the tea samples this time. According to the rules, the title of Tea Sage remains unclaimed." The news sparked a collective sigh among the assembled tea lovers, who had clearly hoped for a different outcome.

　　Mr. Tan, a tea enthusiast, said: "By the time you've finished drinking, your sense of taste becomes numb. Being an expert really isn’t easy!"

　　Ms. Chen, who participated in the Strong-Aroma Tieguanyin category, said: "It’s still relatively easy to distinguish between the first- and fifth-place tea samples, but guessing one more correctly only gives you a 60% chance. And trying to rank them in the exact same order as the experts—well, that’s truly extremely challenging."

　　Organizers said they even invited seasoned tea enthusiasts with two to three decades of experience to sample the teas, but none were able to replicate the exact order identified by the experts. The tea samples submitted for the tea competition were carefully selected by tea merchants—high-quality leaves that were all closely matched in terms of flavor and character. As a result, earning the title of "Tea Immortal" is truly no easy feat.

　　The organizers also announced that several more Tea Fairy competitions will be held in the future, inviting more tea enthusiasts to join the events and compete for the coveted title of "Tea Fairy."

　　Spring Tea Tasting Area: Two Major Tea Varieties Join the Celebration

　　Unlike the mysterious and tense atmosphere in the competition area, the tea-tasting zone became a lively haven where tea enthusiasts gathered to chat and savor their brews. Sipping a delicate white tea or a rich, aromatic black tea instantly brought a sense of comfort and relaxation.

　　Unlike their familiarity with Tieguanyin and oolong teas, Xiamen tea enthusiasts are relatively unfamiliar with white tea. Pinpinxiang Tea Industry primarily specializes in a wide range of Fuding white teas. In their tasting area, visitors can savor both this spring’s fresh harvest and carefully aged vintage teas.

　　“White tea is made without frying or kneading—instead, it’s naturally withered until completely dry,” says Li Lianqiang, General Manager of Pinpinxiang’s Xiamen branch. “Currently, white tea is still considered a ‘minority player’ in Xiamen, but it enjoys a vast and thriving market in northern China.” He hopes more Fuding-based tea companies will venture into Xiamen, helping to establish a strong presence for white tea in this nationally renowned tea hub.

　　In the tea room of Zhengshan Tang, a server shares the story behind Jin Jun Mei. One afternoon in July 2005, a tea enthusiast casually remarked: "Tieguanyin and Longjing can produce exquisite teas using just the tips of the buds—so why can’t small-bud wild teas achieve the same quality?" These words struck a chord with Jiang Yuanxun, the visionary leader of Zhengshan Tea Industry Co., Ltd. Determined to explore new possibilities, he decided to abandon the traditional one-bud-one-leaf picking method, opting instead to harvest only the delicate bud tips. He then applied the time-honored crafting techniques used for Lapsang Souchong black tea—and the result was the exquisite Jin Jun Mei we know today.

　　The head of Zhengshan Tang stated that normally, many customers hesitate to enter because the tea shop feels too upscale. However, the Tea Immortal Competition event has created an excellent platform, allowing people to experience authentic Jin Jun Mei tea firsthand. They hope to gain everyone's appreciation by connecting and engaging with fellow tea enthusiasts.

　　Bonus footage: "Rising star" tea aficionado becomes a social media sensation

　　"If he swaps the fourth and fifth-place positions, he’ll truly become the 'Tea Immortal,'" lamented a staff member from the organizing committee. And the "he" the staff member was referring to is Chen Ledong, a tea enthusiast with over three decades of experience in the world of tea.

　　Chen Ledong’s ranking of the Da Hong Pao tea samples closely matched that of the experts, making him the contestant who came closest to earning the title of “Tea Sage” in this year’s Tea Sage Competition. As soon as the news was announced, Chen Ledong instantly became the center of attention on the scene. Many tea enthusiasts eagerly invited him to sit down, eager to pick his brain about tea knowledge—some even asked for his phone number, hoping to connect later and enjoy exquisite teas together.

　　Chen Ledong said, "As a native of Xiamen, I’ve practically grown up surrounded by tea—literally 'soaked' in it since childhood. These days, I drink tea every single day, from morning till night, and Da Hong Pao is my absolute favorite for everyday enjoyment. Actually, this isn’t my first time participating in the Tea Immortal Competition. But whenever the Xiamen Evening News organizes an event like this, I make sure to show up and join in—just to chat with everyone else who shares the same passion for tea. It’s always inspiring to exchange ideas and learn valuable insights from fellow tea lovers. So, I’ll definitely be back for the next competition!"

　　Voice: Evening News Drives Growth in the Tea Market

　　Chen Liyin, Executive Vice President of the Xiamen Tea Association, said: "Xiamen's tea market has thrived remarkably over the past few years, and this success is closely tied to the involvement of the Xiamen Evening News in the tea industry. From the very first Minnan Tea Competition to today's Cross-Strait Tea Competition, and from grassroots exchanges of tea culture to the growing participation of various industry associations, the Tea Competition has become profoundly meaningful for Xiamen's tea sector."

　　Xiamen residents have a deep affection for tea—almost every household uses it as a gesture of hospitality when welcoming guests. When it comes to tea across China, Xiamen truly stands out as a leader. In fact, the Xiamen port was once the largest tea-export hub in history. By continuously promoting tea culture, Xiamen hopes to revive its glorious legacy as a thriving tea trading center.