Bustling activity as people climb the mountain to pick tea leaves in Ma Do.

Every spring, people in Xuan Loc commune, Song Cau town ( Phu Yen province) flock to the mountains on the summit of Cu Mong to pick Ma Do tea.

Ma Do tea is a type of wild tea, so the quantity is very limited and it is harvested seasonally, hence the high price - Photo: NGOC CHUNG

This is a type of green tea that grows naturally on mountain peaks 500-700 meters above sea level, on the mountain peaks bordering Phu Yen and Binh Dinh provinces.

Mr. Tu Van Muoi (Xuan Loc commune) said that his family has spent decades climbing mountains to pick Ma Do tea, a type of wild tea that grows naturally on high mountain ranges, so the quantity is not large. On average, a professional tea picker can only pick about 1-4 kg of fresh tea per day (4 kg of fresh tea makes 1 kg of dried tea), while non-professionals only get half that amount.

"The tea is still dormant now, and will be harvested in full force after Tet (Lunar New Year). Because the quantity harvested is limited, I will call and inform customers once I have gathered enough," Mr. Muoi said, adding that the price of dried tea is currently around 3 million VND/kg, but customers need to place orders a month in advance to get the product.

According to Mr. Mười, after harvesting the Mã Dọ tea leaves, the young buds are selected, torn into small pieces, spread out to dry until wilted, then rolled and rubbed until the tea leaves are crushed, and then fermented for 3-4 hours. The tea is sun-dried until it is fully ripe and fragrant. The entire process of drying, roasting, and packaging the tea is done manually by the family.

What sets Ma Do tea apart is that its dried leaves are black, and when brewed, the tea turns black, then gradually fades to pink. When drunk, the tea has a slightly astringent taste followed by a sweet aftertaste and a very distinctive aroma.

Ms. Tran Thi Loan (Long Thanh village, Xuan Loc commune) said that there are very few natural tea plants left, and during the season, many people have to climb the mountains all day to compete for tea leaves. "I also brought some tea plants from the forest to plant in my garden, almost two years ago, but they don't grow as well down here," Ms. Loan said.

Research on breeding Ma Do tea

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, chairman of the People's Committee of Xuan Loc commune, early spring is the time when Ma Do tea sprouts the most young shoots. Tea pickers who harvest Ma Do tea at this time earn a very good income because it is a natural tea variety harvested seasonally, so the price is always high, reaching up to 3 million VND/kg of dried tea.

"The local authorities are collaborating with and supporting scientific centers to conduct research and propagate Ma Do tea, aiming to produce a product that is characteristic of the locality," Mr. Son said, adding that because Ma Do tea plants grow naturally in high mountainous areas, conservation is difficult. However, tea pickers have recognized the economic benefits of this tea plant and are gradually becoming more aware of its potential for protection and exploitation, rather than cutting it down as before.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhon-nhip-leo-nui-hai-tra-ma-do-2025012022513042.htm