Sweet taste of green tea from the ancestral land.

For a long time, Phu Tho tea has been favored by many for its unique flavor, distinct from teas from other regions such as Thai Nguyen, Son La, Yen Bai, and Lam Dong. In 2020, the "Phu Tho Tea" certification mark was granted protection, contributing to enhancing the prestige, economic value, and competitiveness of the province's tea products. The province has also developed branded tea production areas, affirming the consistency of this famous product that has been passed down through generations. Along with this, developing tea under the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program opens up many new avenues for the province's key and strong product.

Advantages for developing tea cultivation

The tea maker carefully transfers tea leaves from a large teapot to a smaller earthenware pot, then gently pours the tea into a cup for the guest. Delicate wisps of steam rise from the shimmering green water, making the tea drinker feel as if they are sitting on a lake, immersed in a hazy mist. Holding the hot cup of tea, gently blowing on it before taking a small sip, the astringent taste gradually softens, leaving a sweet aftertaste that spreads in the throat. "A cup of Phu Tho green tea, especially the spring tea, offers an unforgettable sweet sensation," that's how Ms. Pham Thi Hanh, Director of the Long Coc Tea Production Cooperative in Long Coc commune, introduces tea-drinking tourists visiting the Long Coc tourist area in Xuan Son...

Tea harvesting in Minh Dai commune.

Spring tea can be said to be one of Phu Tho 's specialty teas. After the winter dormancy period, the spring tea crop has absorbed many nutrients, with tender, vibrant green buds and a distinctive aroma characteristic of each tea variety. The scent is light yet profound, with a sweet aftertaste, creating a refreshing and delicious sensation compared to other tea crops of the year. Although it only yields 50% of the main harvest, spring tea is highly sought after by customers who eagerly place orders well in advance.

Tea cultivation in Phu Tho province has become one of the key crops for poverty alleviation. Currently, the province has approximately 14,500 hectares of tea plantations in production. High-yield, high-quality tea varieties account for over 95% of the total tea area in the province, including hybrid varieties such as LDP1, LDP2, PH1... used for processing black tea for export. Specialty tea varieties such as Kim Tuyen, Bat Van Tien, Oolong... are used for processing green tea. Simultaneously, it is also a rich and abundant source of raw materials for developing OCOP (One Commune One Product) products.

The province currently has 593 OCOP products rated 3 stars or higher, including nearly 100 tea products. Notably, among the nearly 100 tea products recognized as OCOP products, more than 20 products have achieved 4-star rating, and one product has achieved 5-star rating. With over 1,000 tea production and processing facilities, Phu Tho annually supplies hundreds of thousands of tons of black tea and hundreds of tons of green tea to domestic and international markets, generating significant revenue for tea growers and processing facilities.

To enhance the value and brand of Phu Tho tea, the province has implemented many solutions such as: focusing on planning and developing production areas, strengthening brand promotion; and creating a legal framework for intellectual property, especially developing the "Phu Tho Tea" certification mark. As a result, the "Phu Tho Tea" brand has gained prestige domestically and internationally. In addition, Phu Tho encourages localities, businesses, and cooperatives to invest in technological innovation and production linkages to proactively secure raw materials and control product quality; build product brands and trademarks protected by intellectual property rights; and develop safe tea production and processing models according to VietGAP standards in suitable soil conditions. In particular, tea production models under the "Quality, Safety and Quality of Agricultural Products" (QSEAP) project have been implemented in key districts (formerly), creating a foundation for attracting investment in high-quality, high-value commercial tea production.

Elevating the status of "Phu Tho Tea"

Hoai Trung Tea Co., Ltd. is a company with several decades of experience in the tea industry, a large overseas market, and the first company in the province to have its tea products achieve a 5-star OCOP rating. Ms. Bui Thi Mao, the company's director, stated: "Tea is a popular beverage, consumed daily in many countries and regions around the world, such as China, India, the Middle East, Pakistan, North America, and the EU... These are also key tea export regions of Vietnam in general and Phu Tho in particular. Being recognized as an OCOP product is an advantage for the company, as it meets the strict technical barrier standards stipulated internationally."

According to Ms. Mao, to elevate the quality of OCOP tea products and increase export volume, the province needs to implement several solutions such as: improving product quality according to safety standards, investing in attractive and environmentally friendly packaging; applying modern production technology, promoting trade on digital platforms and international exchanges; building concentrated raw material areas, and having mechanisms and policies from the State to encourage the production and consumption of OCOP-certified tea products.

In recent times, tea growers' awareness of safe production and quality improvement has steadily increased. The area of ​​tea plantations meeting VietGAP, HACCP, QSEAP standards, and applying ICP, ICPM, and organic tea technologies is also growing. Businesses and cooperatives are paying more attention to aspects such as product design and packaging, proactively seeking markets, and diversifying business models. Particularly in some suitable areas, farmers have proactively developed tea-growing regions linked to community tourism, both promoting their products and generating a stable income.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hiep, Deputy Head of the Rural Development Sub-Department, stated: Tea is one of the key crops in Phu Tho province's sustainable poverty reduction program. Therefore, the province has implemented many policies to encourage the development of high-quality tea and invest in brand building, promotion, and market expansion. The fact that businesses are investing in developing OCOP (One Commune One Product) products for tea and continuing to upgrade their product rankings shows a change in people's production mindset, focusing on market demands and preferences. After the province's merger, Phu Tho continues to encourage localities to promote and mobilize businesses and cooperatives in the tea cultivation and processing sector to further complete OCOP product development dossiers, renew certifications, and invest in upgrading product rankings... in order to enhance the product's position and value. This contributes to providing stable and sustainable income for people in mountainous areas and building the "Phu Tho Tea" brand into a strong brand in the market.

Quan Lam

Source: https://baophutho.vn/ngot-ngao-vi-che-xanh-dat-to-240632.htm