Growing chrysanthemums for tea

( Quang Ngai Newspaper) - With the desire to bring new products produced right in the land of chrysanthemum capital, Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Ha, in Dong Vien village, Nghia Hiep commune (Tu Nghia), has experimented with the model of growing Tien Vua chrysanthemum to make tea.

Model of growing chrysanthemums to make tea and the product of Tien Vua chrysanthemum tea (small photo) of Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Ha, in Nghia Hiep commune (Tu Nghia).

Growing flowers has become a traditional occupation of the people of Nghia Hiep commune, especially chrysanthemums. However, growing chrysanthemums to make tea is a new way for the local people. Stemming from the increasing market demand for tea products, and at the same time, finding a new direction for sustainable flower growers, Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Ha pioneered the model of growing Tien Vua chrysanthemums to make tea.

Through relationships, Ms. Ha went all the way to Bac Giang province to buy seeds and learn the technique of growing chrysanthemums for tea. Ms. Ha shared that when she first brought the seeds back to grow, not many people believed in this model. However, after planting, the plants took root and grew well without the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Compared to traditional potted chrysanthemum growing, growing chrysanthemums for tea is much more convenient, with low investment costs.

After nearly 5 months of planting, Ms. Ha has harvested more than 24kg of dried chrysanthemum tea. Currently, Ms. Ha sells dried chrysanthemum tea on the market for 900,000 VND/kg. However, if combined with other types such as wolfberry, red apple, licorice... the price will be up to 1.5 million VND/kg. Due to the small initial output, Ms. Ha's Tien Vua chrysanthemum tea product is only enough to sell to acquaintances. In addition, Ms. Ha has supplied 4 coffee shops in the province.

According to Ms. Ha, although only tested on an area of over 300m2, the chrysanthemum tea product grown by her on Nghia Hiep land has brought unexpected results. Through the survey, it shows that from the form, color of the flowers to the quality, everything is better than other chrysanthemum tea products sold on the market. "The reason for the difference in quality is because my chrysanthemum tea product is made by steaming and then using freeze-drying technology, while in other places they only freeze-dry and then dry in the sun. The steaming and freeze-drying process will cost quite a lot more than regular products," Ms. Ha shared.

Realizing the potential and advantages of growing Tien Vua chrysanthemums to make tea, Ms. Ha continued to expand the growing area and encouraged her family members to grow an additional 6 sao. The advantage of growing chrysanthemums to make tea is that after harvesting the flowers, growers can propagate from the old flower roots without having to buy new ones. “In the near future, I will go to Bac Giang province to learn more about chrysanthemum tea making. I am determined to make and build the Tien Vua chrysanthemum tea brand in Nghia Hiep,” Ms. Ha expressed.

The project of making Tien Vua chrysanthemum tea by Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Ha was selected by the Tu Nghia District Women's Union to represent the program "Women's creative start-up and green transformation in 2024" organized by the Provincial Women's Union and was awarded the second prize. Although it was only the first trial crop, chrysanthemum tea grown on Nghia Hiep land has brought unexpected results, opening up a new direction for the people here.

Article and photos: AN NHIEN

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