Bringing the fragrance of Suoi To Shan Tuyet tea far and wide

At the Mong ethnic cultural festival in Suoi To commune, which took place in September, the commune's typical agricultural products were displayed and introduced. We were particularly impressed with the tea and Pu-erh tea cakes pressed from ancient Shan Tuyet tea buds in the Suoi To high mountains of the V-Shantea Tea Production Cooperative.

V-Shantea Tea Production Cooperative introduces Shan Tuyet tea products.

In the space filled with the warm aroma of tea, Mr. Ha Duc Thang, Director of V-Shantea Tea Production Cooperative, brewed tea for guests and introduced each product produced by his unit. To him, tea is not only a pure, healthy drink, but also the crystallization of passion, of highland culture, items with spiritual value and unique collections.

Sharing about his relationship with tea processing, Mr. Thang recalled: After going through many business fields, seeing the increasing demand for high-quality tea among people in big cities, in 2020, I decided to switch to tea processing and surveyed the Ta Xua tea raw material area, then went to Di Vo (Yunnan, China) to learn the technique of making Pu'er tea, a slow-fermenting tea with no expiration date. After 8 months of studying, I returned and used fresh tea buds from Ta Xua to test production. Due to different soil and climate conditions, it was not successful, I had to discard many batches of bad tea. Not discouraged, I continued to research, adjust the formula, learn from experience and strictly control each step, such as temperature, withering time, rolling, drying... After more than half a year, I was able to create Pu'er tea products with characteristic natural colors and flavors.

Pu-erh tea cake products are produced by V-Shantea Tea Production Cooperative.

We were invited to visit the V-Shantea Tea Production Cooperative in Buc sub-district, Phu Yen commune, located right on the shore of Noong Bua lake. Mr. Thang happily introduced: In 2022, the V-Shantea Tea Production Cooperative was established with only 4 members, initially using the main material of tea from Ta Xua commune. Later, when they learned that Suoi To commune had an ancient tea variety, they focused on exploiting it here. In particular, Suoi To has 5 tea trees about two people's arms long, which are regularly harvested in the spring tea season (from April to the end of May) and the autumn tea season (early October of the lunar calendar). In the high mountains, clouds cover the year round, absorbing the air and taking root in the hilly and forest soil, the quality is absolutely safe, so the tea has a sweet, cool taste and a rich aroma. When transferred to the production facility, near Noong Bua lake, the high humidity creates an ideal environment for the tea to continue to "breathe" and ferment actively over time. This natural transformation process improves the flavor of the tea and enhances its health benefits over time.

Having found a new raw material area, the Cooperative decided to purchase all products, helping people in Suoi To commune have a stable income. At the same time, the Cooperative coordinated with local authorities to propagate and guide people to clear weeds, care for and protect the old tea area and harvest fresh buds properly; the purchase price was also adjusted to suit the market. In the main season, the fresh tea output reached about 300 kg/day, the purchase price was from 100,000 VND/kg.

Pu-erh tea cake is pressed from Suoi To snow shan tea buds after freeze-drying.

Currently, V-Shantea Tea Production Cooperative has 16 tea products; of which, high quality products are Pu-erh tea, black tea, white tea, green tea... with beautiful packaging, full of information. In particular, "Thien Hy Raw Tea" has been certified OCOP 3 stars. Each year, the Cooperative produces about 4 tons of finished tea, selling price from 1.5 million VND/kg or more, mainly consumed in Hanoi and exported to China, highly appreciated by consumers.

To develop a sustainable raw material area, V-Shantea Tea Production Cooperative is coordinating with the Suoi To Commune government to mobilize people to renovate old tea areas, take advantage of land funds for replanting, and provide guidance on organic care techniques. The Cooperative is also surveying and preparing documents to request recognition as “Heritage Trees” to preserve, conserve and develop the ancient tea area into an eco- tourism destination to attract visitors.

Products from Suoi To ancient Shan Tuyet tea.

With the efforts of V-Shantea Tea Production Cooperative and local authorities, we believe that the fragrance of Suoi To Shan Tuyet tea will spread further and further, helping people of Suoi To commune develop their economy , stabilize their income and escape poverty.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/dua-huong-che-shan-tuyet-suoi-to-vuon-xa-HXHfvmRvR.html