(NLDO) – Ancient tea has high economic value thanks to its many precious medicinal properties. The selling price of processed products can range from 2.5 to 25 million VND/kg.
On the afternoon of August 26, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association (VCCA) in collaboration with Northwest Tea and Specialties Company Limited (Shanam tea brand) organized a seminar on "Vietnamese tea civilization in economic and tourism development".
This is the first program in the series of "Vietnamese Tea Culture" talks organized by VCCA, which will be held monthly from now until the end of 2024, aiming to preserve and promote Vietnamese tea culture to a higher level. At the same time, support the development of the economic potential of Vietnamese tea through promoting and introducing quality Vietnamese tea products to domestic and international consumers.
Mr. Pham Vu Khanh, Chairman of Shanam tea brand, said that he has been in the tea industry for 23 years and has been associated with ancient tea regions of Vietnam, with many rare tea varieties, including Shan Tuyet in the Northwest highlands.
Scene of the seminar "Vietnamese tea civilization"
He said that fresh tea leaves grown in lowland areas cost an average of only 4,000 - 4,500 VND/kg, the average export price of dry tea is only 2.5 USD/kg, while ancient tea leaves cost 60,000 - 80,000 VND/kg and after processing cost 2.5 - 25 million VND/kg. Of which, the most expensive type is scented with lotus and has a 10-year warranty.
Ancient tea is fermented, the longer it is kept, the more valuable it becomes, similar to wine. By developing processing and investing in experience areas to welcome tourists, businesses have helped develop the economy for the people in the raw material area.
According to Mr. Khanh, the area of ancient tea trees in Vietnam is about 20,000 hectares, concentrated in 5 provinces: Son La, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Hoa Binh with a very large output. With the characteristic of being a tree but not a precious wood, when burned it produces smoke so it is not exploited, many ancient tea trees are large in size and hundreds of years old. These are trees that grow from seeds, the leaves can only be harvested at the age of 7 and are harvested about once every 3 months, containing many medicinal properties.
Ancient tea cakes from hundreds of years old tea trees on display at the seminar
Ancient tea has high economic value
At the seminar, researcher Trinh Quang Dung, author of the book "Vietnamese Tea Civilization" added that currently, some businesses have turned tea products into investment items because the longer the tea cakes are stored, the more valuable they become. "With tea cakes, "3 years is tea, 5 years is medicine" - Mr. Dung said.
Mr. La Quoc Khanh, Vice President of VCCA, commented that tea has long been not only a beverage but also a symbol of culture and tradition in many countries. In Vietnam, tea is present in daily life and important ceremonies, from meetings with friends to festivals. Vietnamese tea is known for its diversity in types and flavors.
Around the world, countries such as China, Japan and India have successfully affirmed and promoted the cultural value of tea while making good use of its economic potential. These successes show that combining the cultural and economic values of tea is completely feasible and brings long-term benefits.
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