Fuding White Tea's Glorious Journey

　　The Prestigious Recognition of Fuding White Tea

　　In May 2009, "Fuding White Tea" was officially approved as a National Geographical Indication Product and granted formal protection, covering the administrative area currently under the jurisdiction of Fuding City, Fujian Province. In January 2010, the geographical indication certification trademark for "Fuding White Tea" was recognized as a China Famous Trademark. On July 8, 2010, the White Tea Working Group of the National Technical Committee for Tea Standardization was officially established in Fuding, marking the official adoption of the "National Standard for White Tea" in the city. In August 2010, the Ministry of Culture announced the third batch of the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the unique craftsmanship behind Fuding White Tea was proudly elevated to the status of a "National Treasure."

　　2008:

　　★On June 19, the inaugural China White Tea Culture Festival officially kicked off in Fuding City.

　　★On June 28, Fuding White Tea was selected as "China's First Tea Nominated for the Olympic Bid," serving as the sole representative of white tea varieties.

　　★On July 5, China's largest Olympic-themed white tea brick, gifted by the Fuding Municipal Government to the Beijing Olympics, officially departed from Fuding and headed to Beijing.

　　★On July 12, the People's Government of Fuding City and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Honor Guard jointly signed a military-civilian co-construction agreement, making Fuding White Tea the exclusive tea served to the PLA Honor Guard.

　　★In October 2008, the Shanghai Great World Guinness Headquarters officially recognized the 500-kg "Fuding White Tea Brick," produced under the supervision of the Fuding Municipal People's Government, as China's largest tea brick and presented it with a corresponding certificate.

　　★On October 28, Fuding City was awarded the National Demonstration Base for Agricultural Product Processing (Fuding White Tea) by the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　In 2008, seven tea enterprises from Fuding City participated in the 4th National "Zhonglv Cup" for Famous and Excellent Green Teas, the 15th Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival's "China Famous Tea" competition, the 5th Fujian Province "Mincha Cup" for Famous and Excellent Teas, the 3rd "Oriental Charm Cup" for Chinese Famous Teas, the 5th China International Tea Expo's Famous and Excellent Tea competition, the 7th (Korea) International Famous Tea Expo, and the Chinese Tea Brand "Golden Bud Award" selection, collectively winning 15 gold medals and 5 silver medals.

　　2009:

　　★On August 10, the results of the biennial national "Zhongcha Cup" prestigious tea competition were announced, with Fuding City winning 4 Grand Prizes and 17 First Prizes.

　　★On November 13, the third Cross-Strait Tea Expo held a sub-event in Fuding, where the White Tea Summit Forum was officially launched. The United Nations Pavilion and the Fuding Municipal People's Government signed a special agreement designating "Taibao Yin Zhen" white tea as the exclusive tea available for entry into the UN Pavilion.

　　★On November 3, Fuding White Tea, as a quintessential representative of Chinese white tea, was selected as one of the "Top 10 Famous Teas of China Expo."

　　2010:

　　On April 30, Xi Jinping, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Vice President of the People's Republic of China, and President of the Central Party School, visited the United Nations Pavilion in Shanghai. Accompanied by Mr. Avani Benin, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chief Representative of the UN Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, Xi warmly sampled white tea at the demonstration table showcasing China’s Top Ten Famous Teas during the Expo.

　　★On May 15, Fuding White Tea officially made its debut at the United Nations Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo as one of China’s "Top Ten Famous Teas of the Expo."

　　★On June 2, Provincial Party Secretary Sun Chunlan and her delegation visited Fuding to inspect white tea enterprises, accompanied by Chen Rongkai, then Secretary of the Ningde Municipal Party Committee.

　　★On August 6, the "World Harmony Tea Ceremony" kicked off at the United Nations Pavilion during the Shanghai Expo. Chen Xinghua, then Deputy Secretary of the Fuding Municipal Party Committee, represented the 570,000 residents of Fuding in presenting Fuding White Tea to Avani Benan, UN Under-Secretary-General and Chief Representative of the UN Pavilion—a gift that will be permanently displayed at the UN Pavilion headquarters for global audiences to admire.

　　★On November 19, the provincial local standard for Fuding White Tea, a geographically indicated product, was officially released.

　　2011:

　　★On March 16, 2011, the establishment of a tea quality traceability system was launched in Fuding. Fuding City is the only county-level city in Fujian Province piloting the implementation of a quality traceability system for tea products. Since 2007, Fuding has been actively involved in the national pilot program for building a product quality and safety traceability system in the agricultural sector, as well as the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) initiative.

　　★In April, at the 2011 China Tea Convention, the "China Tea Regional Public Brand Value Assessment Team"—a joint initiative by Zhejiang University's CARD Agricultural Brand Research Center, China Tea Magazine, and the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with ChinaTea.com—released the "2011 China Tea Regional Public Brand Value." The Fuding White Tea brand was valued at 2.445 billion yuan, ranking fifth among the top ten regional tea brands nationwide.

　　On April 11, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan sent a letter of gratitude to Fuding City, expressing sincere appreciation to the Fuding municipal government and its people for providing anti-radiation Fuding white tea. This gesture was particularly meaningful, as the tea served as a healthful beverage offering radiation protection to Chinese diplomats and embassy staff working tirelessly on the front lines of earthquake relief efforts in Japan. Additionally, on April 15, Cheng Yonghua, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Japan, presented Fuding City with a certificate of thanks. (This came after receiving a response from officials at the Chinese Embassy in Japan during my visit there.)

　　★On June 24, Fuding Fangming Tea Industry Co., Ltd. collaborated with research institutes to jointly develop a new Cordyceps White Tea product with Tianxin Biotechnology Co., Ltd. This groundbreaking innovation fills the gap between Fuding white tea and cutting-edge biotechnology, marking a milestone in elevating Fuding white tea to premium consumer markets—and holding epoch-making significance in the history of Fuding white tea.

　　★On September 16, the third "Fuding White Tea Cup" Cross-Strait Tea Art TV Open Competition successfully concluded in Fuding. Organized by the Fujian Provincial Department of Agriculture, the Cross-Strait Tea Industry Exchange Association, and Fujian Provincial Radio & Television Group, and hosted by the Fuding Municipal People's Government and Fujian TV Comprehensive Channel, the event drew over 3,000 contestants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and spanned more than three months.

　　"The world's white tea is in China, and China's white tea is in Fuding." This proverb is widely known across the Chinese mainland. With 95% of Fuding white tea destined for export, you can easily imagine how highly prized it is in international markets.

　　Since 2006, the Fuding Municipal Government has strategically guided local tea production by prioritizing white tea as the centerpiece of the city’s overall tea industry restructuring. Adopting a "leading-by-example" approach, the initiative has spurred widespread adoption of eco-friendly, pollution-free, and organic farming practices across the city’s tea plantations. Currently, Fuding boasts 200,000 mu of certified pollution-free tea gardens and has established 38,000 mu of organic and green-food-certified tea bases. The city was among the first in Fujian Province to actively implement and promote organic tea garden development and green tea base construction—and today, it leads the nation in terms of the largest area dedicated to these sustainable practices. This commitment has laid a solid foundation for producing high-quality, premium white tea. From 2007 to the present, all Fuding tea samples submitted for pesticide residue testing have consistently achieved a 100% compliance rate. Moreover, over 100 Fuding white tea products have earned prestigious gold and silver awards at renowned domestic and international tea quality competitions. Today, while continuing to expand its presence in overseas markets, Fuding white tea is also making waves domestically, thanks to its exceptional quality and globally recognized appeal. As a result, Fuding white tea has embarked on a transformative journey toward brand-building, paving the way for a new era of prosperity and innovation in the global tea industry.

　　The Time-Tested History of Fuding White Tea

　　Tea industry giant Zhang Tianfu stated in "A Study of Fujian Tea History": White tea was first created in Fuding, where silver needles were harvested from fresh leaves picked off the Cai Cha tree—a native tea variety found in northeastern Fujian. The Fuding Dabai tea cultivar, originally from Mount Taibao and historically known as "Lüxueya," began to be propagated around 1857. By 1865, these Dabai tea buds were already being processed into elegant silver needle white teas, leading to the name "Dabai." Some scholars even argue that, in the history of Chinese tea production, white tea—not green tea—may actually represent the earliest form of tea ever developed. Their reasoning? When ancient Chinese people first discovered the medicinal benefits of tea, they realized they needed a way to preserve the delicate, tender tea buds and leaves for future use. To achieve this, they naturally turned to drying or lightly roasting the fresh, young shoots and leaves under the sun—thus giving birth to "white tea" in the annals of Chinese tea history.

　　Ancient Fuding white tea has a legendary origin. According to legend, Mount Taimu was formerly known as Mount Caishan. During the reign of Emperor Yao (2358–2257 BCE), an elderly woman lived there who made a living by cultivating orchids. She was kind and generous, deeply loved by the people. She used the green snow bud tea she grew as a sacred medicine to treat measles, saving many children. Grateful people revered her as a deity, calling her "Taimu," the Great Mother, and the mountain was thus named Mount Taimu. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the imperial attendant Dongfang Shuo was sent to confer titles on famous mountains across the land. Consequently, Mount Taimu was honored as the foremost among the thirty-six famous mountains of the world and was officially renamed Mount Taimu. Today, Fuding's Mount Taimu still preserves the ancient Green Snow Bud tea tree, said to be the original mother tree of Fuding Da Bai tea, planted by the goddess Taimu herself. The cave where Taimu is said to have discovered the Green Snow Bud tea and the Dan Well used to water the tea plants are also preserved.

　　The Tang Dynasty "Tea Sage" Lu Yu recorded in *The Classic of Tea*: "Three hundred li east of Yongjia lies Mount White Tea." According to tea historian Chen Yuan's research, "the 'three hundred li east of Yongjia' actually refers to the sea—and this is a misinterpretation of 'three hundred li south.' In fact, 'three hundred li south' points to Fuding in Fujian (which was part of Changxi County during the Tang dynasty), the very birthplace of white tea."

　　Professor Yao Guokun, Director of the Academic Department at the China International Tea Culture Research Association and a researcher at the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, believes that the ancestor of Fuding White Tea boasts a history of at least 1,200 years. He notes that Fuding White Tea first gained prominence no later than the Tang Dynasty, when Daoists used tea in alchemical practices aimed at achieving immortality, earning it the title "Immortal Tea." In 2009, one of China’s Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries—the Lü Family Cemetery in Lantian, Shaanxi Province—unearthed nearly 1,000-year-old white tea leaves that remained remarkably well-preserved. According to Researcher Zhang Yun, who personally witnessed the excavation process, these tea leaves belonged to an early variety of white tea and were even listed among the imperial tributes bestowed upon the Song Dynasty court, cherished and treasured by high-ranking officials and nobles. One key reason Fuding White Tea has endured for millennia in pristine condition is its exceptional antioxidant properties.

　　Renowned author and PLA General Logistics Department’s senior-level professional writer, Professor Wang Hongjia—also an alumnus of Tsinghua University’s Executive MBA program at the School of Continuing Education—wrote in his article "China Has a Sandu'ao": "I believe that sun-dried, preserved white tea is the ancestor of Chinese tea. After all, wasn’t Lady Lan, who lived over 4,000 years ago, the very founder of tea drinking in China? It was she who first introduced tea’s medicinal properties into everyday life, ultimately transforming it into the beloved beverage we know today. Who else could claim this legacy but Fuding’s ‘Lady Lan and Grandmother Tai’? I sincerely hope that one day, the people of Ningde’s Fuding will solemnly inscribe beneath the towering statue of Grandmother Tai: ‘Mother of Humanity’s Tea.’ Indeed, this is already a time-honored intangible cultural heritage passed down for more than 4,000 years."

　　The Amazing Radiation-Resistant Properties of Fuding White Tea

　　Radiation hazards have been dubbed by experts as one of the four major threats in modern society. As society continues to evolve, exposure to radiation has become virtually unavoidable—making radiation protection the ultimate personal defense battle for humanity in the 21st century. In recent years, in-depth studies conducted on white tea by European and American researchers revealed that, compared to other types of tea, white tea contains the lowest levels of free radicals, the highest concentration of flavonoids, and an average amino acid content that surpasses even other teas. Notably, Fuding white tea exhibits particularly robust anti-radiation properties, outperforming other tea varieties in this regard.

　　Professor Liu Zhonghua, Vice Chairman of the China Tea Science Society, Director of the Expert Committee of the China Tea Circulation Association, and Director of the Key Laboratory of Tea Science at Hunan Agricultural University, argues in his article "Tea: The Most Effective Radiation-Protective Beverage" that tea is the plant in nature richest in polyphenols (especially catechins). He explains that tea polyphenols act as "free-radical scavengers," neutralizing the excessive free radicals generated by radiation before they can damage vital biomolecules. Additionally, tea polyphenols donate protons to combine with radiation-induced free radicals, while also helping regulate radiation-related enzymes, thereby mitigating immune cell damage and enhancing hematopoietic function.

　　Dr. Wang Yuefei, Deputy Director of the Department of Tea Science at Zhejiang University, shares the same view, stating that white tea is a lightly fermented tea with a natural processing method, resulting in relatively minimal loss of catechins and preserving a higher concentration of beneficial compounds. Catechins are the key active components responsible for the tea's radiation-resistant properties. Since Fuding white tea boasts a particularly high catechin content, drinking 2 to 3 cups daily can effectively help combat radiation exposure.

　　Following Japan’s massive 3.11 earthquake, Fuding urgently dispatched a batch of its renowned Fuding White Tea, sending it to Tokyo via international express delivery. The hope was that this tea—known for its radiation-resistant and protective properties—could contribute to the health and well-being of Chinese embassy staff stationed on the front lines of disaster relief efforts in Japan. It also served as a heartfelt gesture from the people of Fuding’s tea-growing region, offering their deepest condolences and highest respect to those working tirelessly amid the crisis. Upon receiving the tea shipment, our embassy in Japan expressed profound gratitude, describing it as "a timely lifeline" from the people back home at a moment of critical need.

　　Fuding White Tea

　　Drink your way to healthy "elixir tea"

　　Fuding white tea boasts remarkable health benefits and boasts a rich history, with early mentions in both the "Compendium of Materia Medica" and "The Classic of Tea." According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica": "White tea is cooling in nature and its effects are comparable to those of rhinoceros horn." Modern Chinese medicine research confirms that white tea has a mild, cooling flavor and effectively reduces fever, clears heat, eliminates dampness, and detoxifies the body. "I drink ten cups of tea every day—my first cup is always Fuding white tea," revealed Zhang Tianfu, the legendary 100-year-old master of the tea world, sharing his secret to longevity and wellness.

　　White tea may help manage diabetes.

　　Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by insufficient insulin production and excessive blood sugar levels, leading to disruptions in the metabolism of sugars, fats, and proteins. Recent years have seen growing interest and research from scholars both domestically and internationally into whether drinking white tea can help manage diabetes. Notably, Japanese medical doctor Ogawa Goichiro and Dr. Minowa Masaru, among others, accidentally discovered white tea’s remarkable effectiveness in treating diabetic patients with tuberculosis during their clinical work. Subsequent clinical trials conducted at Kyoto Imperial University Hospital and Prefectural Hospitals involving 10 diabetic patients confirmed that white tea significantly improves symptoms of chronic diabetes. In China, Quanzhou People’s Hospital has successfully treated diabetes using “Songcha” (aged white tea aged over 70 years), achieving an impressive 70% success rate. Meanwhile, in Fuding—the birthplace of white tea—local tea experts selected several patients with high blood sugar levels for an experiment, finding that 71% of these individuals saw their hyperglycemia completely resolved after adopting a consistent habit of drinking white tea for up to six months. Thus, scientific evidence strongly supports the idea that consuming white tea can both prevent and treat diabetes effectively. The polyphenols and esters found in white tea stimulate insulin synthesis, while catechins containing polysaccharides help reduce excess sugar in the bloodstream. Additionally, tea polyphenols play a crucial role in regulating abnormal sugar metabolism in the body, helping to lower blood glucose levels and, consequently, providing a potent preventive and therapeutic effect against diabetes. Dr. Han Chi, a researcher at the Institute of Food and Nutrition under China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Association of Food Toxicology, recently published a paper highlighting white tea’s ability to significantly boost human immunity, as well as its outstanding performance in maintaining balanced blood sugar levels.

　　White tea may help prevent cerebrovascular diseases.

　　Cerebrovascular diseases are relatively common conditions, including cerebral embolism, cerebral thrombosis, and cerebral hemorrhage, among others. These diseases have a high incidence rate and significantly impact human health. But why can white tea help prevent cerebrovascular diseases? That’s because white tea possesses anticoagulant and fibrinolytic properties, effectively modulating a hypercoagulable state—without the side effects often associated with conventional anticoagulant medications. As a result, white tea plays a remarkable role in promoting overall health and reducing the risk of disease. Clinical evidence shows that after consuming white tea for 2 to 3 weeks, whole blood viscosity decreases from 4.77 to 4.31.

　　White tea is effective in lowering blood pressure.

　　White tea can help lower blood pressure, thanks to the unique combination of its chemical components. It’s rich in catechins, vitamin C, and vitamin P. Catechins enhance the absorption of vitamin C, which in turn helps move cholesterol from artery walls to the liver, reducing cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. At the same time, vitamin C strengthens blood vessel elasticity and improves their permeability. Additionally, white tea indirectly promotes blood pressure reduction by promoting diuresis and sodium excretion. The tea also contains theophylline, a compound that relaxes blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely—and thus aiding in lowering blood pressure. To this day, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Fujian frequently prescribe "Bai Hao Yin Zhen" (Silver Needle White Tea), and today, Bai Hao Yin Zhen’s effectiveness in treating hypertension has gained international recognition.

　　Regularly drinking white tea boosts antiviral defenses and strengthens immunity.

　　Recent research suggests that white tea extract may help prevent the growth of bacteria responsible for staphylococcal infections, streptococcal infections, pneumonia, and tooth decay. Researchers at Pace University in the U.S. found that white tea extract can effectively disrupt disease-causing tissues even in laboratory settings. Repeated studies on white tea extract have also demonstrated its potential to combat deadly human viruses. Additionally, incorporating white tea extract into various toothpaste formulations has been shown to significantly enhance their antibacterial properties. The study further revealed that white tea extract exhibits strong antifungal effects against both Penicillium molds and yeast strains, completely inhibiting the growth of Penicillium spores and yeast cells under its influence—highlighting white tea extract's remarkable ability to combat pathogenic fungi.

　　Drinking white tea is becoming trendy.

　　As the quality of life improves, people are increasingly focusing on their own health. As a result, Fuding white tea—known for its health-promoting benefits—is gaining popularity among urban white-collar workers. Drinking white tea has become a trendy way for people to enhance their physical and mental well-being while pursuing a healthier lifestyle.

　　A remarkable story unfolded in China's tea community as 100 journalists gathered in Fuzhou's Sanfang Qixiang district to discuss white tea—and later, when tens of thousands of people in Guangzhou eagerly sampled Fuding white tea, it became a celebrated tale across the nation. Today, Shoumei white tea has even earned the title of "signature tea" at Guangzhou’s renowned teahouses. According to Luo Shaojun, former director of the National Tea Quality Supervision and Testing Center, "Drinking Fuding white tea is akin to savoring wild ginseng—its health-promoting and wellness benefits are truly extraordinary." Meanwhile, Han Chi, a researcher at the Institute of Food and Nutrition under the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Food Toxicology, highlights that white tea not only protects brain neurons, enhances memory, and reduces anxiety—but also effectively repairs DNA damage caused by smoking. Renowned writer He Zhenbang shares his lifelong passion for white tea: "I’ve been drinking white tea since infancy, giving me over 70 years of tea-drinking experience. Though I’ve tried countless famous teas from around the world, earning me the playful nickname ‘Beijing’s No. 1 tea enthusiast,’ none can compare to the unforgettable memories I cherish from that May mid-2009 trip. Back then, I joined a cultural expedition led by Fujian-born, Beijing-based author Hai Xining on Mount Taibao, where we indulged in exquisite Fuding white tea—a moment that remains etched in my heart forever."

　　As market demand continued to grow, on April 19, 2010, Fuding’s new white tea product—white tea beverage—officially launched after successfully passing the provincial science and technology department’s assessment of its technological achievements. This breakthrough technology filled a significant gap in the domestic market for white tea-based beverages. Xiamen Daimai Cosmetics Co., Ltd., through extensive research, discovered that white tea contains polyphenol concentrations several times higher than those found in other types of tea. Polyphenols are renowned for their powerful antioxidant properties, including scavenging free radicals, cooling down the body, fighting bacteria, inhibiting oxidation, and even offering protective effects against radiation. Thanks to these remarkable benefits, white tea has become an ideal ingredient for developing advanced, intensive skincare products. As a result, white tea-infused skincare items—such as whitening creams, serums, and facial masks—have gained widespread popularity among female consumers. Today, white tea-derived products like white tea toothpaste and white tea soap are increasingly available in the market. Meanwhile, scientists and researchers continue to explore the vast potential of white tea, ensuring that its extraordinary health and beauty benefits will ultimately serve humanity even more effectively in the future.