Tea Master Zhang Zhengku and His Ice-White Tea

　　At the recently concluded 8th Fuding White Tea Opening Festival, the China Tea Circulation Association honored five outstanding tea-making masters from Fuding's core white tea-producing region with the prestigious title of "National Tea Artisan—Tea-Making Master." Among them was Zhang Zhengku. Today, we’ll take you behind the scenes to discover this humble tea master and the innovative Ice White Tea he has developed.

　　Dreams come true

　　Zhang Zhengku is the Chairman of Southeast White Tea Import & Export Co., Ltd. Growing up in the heartland of white tea, he joined the tea industry in 1981 after retiring from the military and has dedicated decades to the meticulous study of white tea. Throughout his career, he has been passionately exploring ways to foster innovation while preserving and passing down Fuding’s time-honored, exceptional white tea-making techniques.

　　Zhang Zhengku studied medicine during his time in the military and has a solid understanding of some principles in traditional Chinese medicine, thanks to growing up in a rural area where medicinal herbs are abundant. Drawing on decades of experience in white tea production and the philosophy that food and medicine share common roots, he developed "Ice White Tea." "While crafting this tea, I’m also fulfilling my lifelong dream of practicing medicine," Zhang Zhengku shared.

　　Ice White Tea blends white tea with traditional Chinese medicine, emerging as a refreshing trend in today’s booming white tea market. Amidst the growing homogenization of white tea products, Zhang Zhengku’s Ice White Tea offers an excellent model for Fuding’s white tea industry as it explores diversified growth strategies.

　　Zhang Zhengku mentioned: "White tea is rich in flavonoids, amino acids, and also contains tea polyphenols—benefits for the human body that everyone can clearly see. Additionally, ice white tea has been enhanced with mint, which is equally beneficial. It’s especially helpful for people who frequently drink alcohol or those suffering from colds."

　　In addition to developing Ice White Tea, crafted from a scientifically balanced blend of natural herbal ingredients like white tea and peppermint, Zhang Zhengku has also successively launched new products such as "Moxiao Yuya," "Dongjian Mingyue," and "Osmanthus White Tea." He expressed his commitment to further enhancing research and development of white tea while continuing to uphold the traditional craftsmanship behind this cherished beverage.

　　Passing on the art of tea-making

　　"Inheritance" means passing down and continuing, which requires the joint efforts of every generation. To pass on this tea-making craft, on March 21, at the 2019 Southeast White Tea Spring Tasting Event, Zhang Zhengku held an apprenticeship ceremony. More than twenty apprentices from all over the country took turns bowing to their master and presented their formal apprenticeship letters.

　　At the apprentice ceremony, Zhang Zhengku earnestly advised his disciples to craft tea with integrity and conscience. Renowned veteran tea expert Wang Yisen, along with Lin Lici, former president of the Fuding City Tea Association, and nearly 200 distinguished guests gathered on-site to witness this momentous occasion.

　　Ice White Tea has further explored the health benefits of white tea—so, how did Zhang Zhengku first come up with the idea of combining white tea with traditional Chinese medicine?

　　Zhang Zhengku believes: "The 21st century is the age of health—and also the era of wellness. Ice White Tea perfectly aligns with the trends of this new era. I believe that in the future, Ice White Tea will even lead the direction of tea development, as it builds upon our existing white tea while incorporating innovative improvements. This is achieved by leveraging the traditional Chinese medicine principle of 'food and medicine sharing the same origin,' making it fully compatible with China's current food safety standards. Therefore, I’m confident that Ice White Tea has tremendous market potential ahead."

　　Zhang Zhengku is both confident and ambitious about the future development of Southeast White Tea: "In 2019, I set a goal—to reach 100 million. It’s a modest target for me, but achieving it will require the collective effort of tea lovers and distributors across the country who support our Southeast White Tea."

　　While working to expand the Fuding white tea industry into broader markets, Zhang Zhengku is also deeply committed to public welfare initiatives. At the Southeast White Tea Spring Tasting Event, an auction ceremony was held for three rare tea varieties.

　　Southeast White Tea was the first in Fuding to develop and produce compressed white tea cakes. At an auction, the "First Southeast White Tea Cake," produced in 2005, fetched a record-breaking price of 23,800 yuan per cake. Additionally, six-pound White Peony cakes from the 2018 spring harvest, along with the commemorative "Chu Jian" Southeast White Tea cake, also sold for premium prices at the auction.

　　Zhang Zhengku donated all the proceeds from this auction event—split equally—to the Fuding City Charity Federation and the Fuding Lantian Rescue Team. When it comes to doing good deeds, it’s not about how much you give, but rather about nurturing a compassionate heart. As Mencius once said: "When poor, cultivate virtue within yourself; when prosperous, extend your kindness to the world."

　　As an entrepreneur, Zhang Zhengku embodies compassion and profound kindness, and he has even integrated this spirit into his company’s culture, guiding the business toward an even brighter future.

　　Southeastern Wonders

　　The Wonder of Time (Timing)

　　It's best to harvest around Qingming; avoid collecting on rainy days, as the raw materials won't be as rich.

　　The Wonders of the Land (Geographical Advantage)

　　Nestled on the renowned Mount Taimu, its fertile soil and exceptional climate give rise to celebrated tea.

　　The Uniqueness of People (People and Harmony)

　　First come the planting and harvesting artisans; today, green and natural practices are gaining popularity.

　　The Uniqueness of Form (Form)

　　Silver tips dance like snow in the cup, while a steadfast heart wears many unique forms.

　　The Wonder of Soup (Soup Color)

　　Months and years blur into an unclear depth, A cup of amber-hued white jade tea.

　　The Wonder of Fragrance

　　The natural flavors are all here, with a delicate fragrance that travels ten miles on the breeze.

　　Artistic Wonders (Craftsmanship)

　　No kneading, no roasting—just high-quality sunlight; pure white down and delicate green strands preserve the original flavor.

　　Hidden Treasures (Collection)

　　Time transforms aged tea into a treasure—each piece, carefully preserved, commands an even higher price.

　　The Remarkable Effects

　　Three reductions, three resistances—many benefits indeed; savoring the aroma of tea enriches both body and mind.