Strangely, after being bitten by pests, this plant produces a rare specialty found in few places.
The Birth of the Queen of Teas
In tea cultivation, pest issues are among the top concerns for farmers. Pests can significantly impact both the growth and quality of tea products. Notably, the green leafhopper is the pest that often causes the most damage to tea plants.
However, according to Vnexpress, in Phja Đén, Thanh Cong Commune, Nguyen Binh District, Cao Bang, tea farmers here do not consider the green leafhopper a pest. On the contrary, these insects are crucial in creating a tea known as the queen of all teas: Oriental Beauty.
These tea plants become a rare tea after being bitten by green leafhoppers. (Photo: Yêu Trà Việt).
In fact, Oriental Beauty tea is a famous tea originating from Taiwan (China). According to Baidu China, this tea first appeared in the late 19th century due to a very accidental reason.
At that time, Taiwan (China) was well-known for its delicious tea products. Xinzhu was a region that cultivated many special types of tea. During the summer, most tea hills were ravaged by green leafhoppers. The damaged tea plants were rejected by traders, who thought they were spoiled and of poor quality.
One farmer, regretting the effort he had put into caring for his plants, decided to process the leaves eaten by leafhoppers. Surprisingly, these bitten leaves emitted an incredibly alluring gentle fragrance. After being brewed, he introduced this tea to an English businessman named John Dodd. According to historical records, trader John Dodd brought this tea back to England and presented it to the royal family. After tasting its flavor, Queen Elizabeth II found the tea leaves to dance like ballerinas and the fragrance reminiscent of the beauty of Eastern maidens, thus naming it “Oriental Beauty.” Since then, Oriental Beauty tea has made waves in the tea market.
The bitten tea leaves emit an incredibly alluring gentle fragrance. (Photo: Trà bà Vân)
According to another legend, “Oriental Beauty” is a delicacy that the divine beings have carefully arranged for the human world. Each year, the tea leaves are only harvested before and after the Duan Ngọ festival. This plant grows in areas sheltered from wind, with ample sunlight and a pollution-free environment. The best leaves are “one bud and two leaves” that bear the bite of “xiaolu qie bian” (a type of green leafhopper).
Besides the name Oriental Beauty, this tea is also known by other names such as Bai Hao, Bai Hao, or White Fork Oolong, due to the fine white hairs surrounding the young buds.
The Perfect Combination
Oriental Beauty tea is a blend of Oolong and Black tea with an oxidation level of 60-70%. The buds must come from pure Oolong tea plants that have been bitten by the green leafhopper, known as Tea green leafhopper, to suck the sap. According to scientists, there are over 10 different pest species, but only a few types of green leafhoppers can produce Oriental Beauty tea. After being bitten by the green leafhopper, this tea can cost 13 times more than regular Oolong tea.
To produce Oriental Beauty tea, the tea buds must come from pure Oolong tea plants that have been bitten by the green leafhopper to suck the sap. (Photo: Sohu).
This characteristic indicates that the tea plants used to produce Oriental Beauty tea must be grown in a completely natural environment without chemicals. The green leafhopper can only infest tea in areas that are not chemically treated. Thus, it can be said that Oriental Beauty tea is a naturally organic tea.
Furthermore, the buds bitten by green leafhoppers only grow in the lunar month of May, and to harvest the buds meeting quality standards, they must be hand-picked at specific times. During harvesting, only the bud and two adjacent young leaves are picked, yet only 40-50% of the harvested leaves are used.
After harvesting the tea buds, several intricate processes must be performed, including meticulous drying and roasting under the hands of experienced tea artisans for 2 to 3 days without rest. Because the tea-making materials depend entirely on nature, the production of Oriental Beauty is quite rare and relatively expensive. In the past, there were times when 15kg of Oriental Beauty tea was worth an entire house.
In the past, there were times when 15kg of Oriental Beauty tea was worth an entire house. (Photo: Ý Trà quán)
The allure of Oriental Beauty tea lies in its fragrance of sweet honey and fruits that is unique to this tea. The brew has an amber color, with a delicate honey-like sweetness. Experts analyze that the leaves bitten by green leafhoppers release specific substances to heal the wounds. Simultaneously, they also emit a scent to attract natural enemies of the green leafhoppers. Consequently, the shape of the leaves will change, their color will shift to yellow, and their flavor will turn into that of ripe fruit.
Oriental Beauty tea is a precious and highly favored tea due to its quality, unique flavor, and numerous health benefits. For women, Oriental Beauty tea offers youthful, even-toned, and vibrant skin due to its ability to slow down the aging process, provide nutrients to the skin, prevent wrinkle formation, and combat inflammation and acne.
According to expert analysis, the leaves bitten by green leafhoppers will release specific substances to heal wounds. (Photo: Vô Ưu Trà)
This tea also helps reduce fatigue, providing relaxation for the body throughout the long day. Oriental Beauty tea contains many polyphenols that help the body combat the invasion of free radicals. Cardiovascular health is enhanced, and the ability to control bad cholesterol levels helps prevent diabetes, obesity, and strokes. Additionally, drinking a cup of Oriental Beauty tea every day has significant benefits for digestion, aiding in faster metabolism and better nutrient absorption.
A Tea Found Only in a Few Provinces in Vietnam
According to Vnexpress, in Vietnam, the high mountainous region of Phja Đén located in the Southeast of Cao Bang Province is highly suitable for growing tea plants that produce Oriental Beauty tea. The isolated location creates the Kolia tea region on the peak of Phja Đén, separated from factors that threaten the quality of the crops.
Oriental Beauty tea originates from Taiwan, China. (Photo: Sohu)
This tea region spans 20 hectares on the mountainside at an altitude of 1,300m to 1,900m above sea level. The nighttime temperature here is less than half of that during the day; in winter, it can drop close to 0 degrees Celsius. This significant temperature difference causes the tea leaves to be thicker and darker green than those from lower regions. These thicker leaves tend to produce richer teas with a mouthfeel often accompanied by a buttery note.
With such climatic conditions, the process of nutrient transformation in the plants occurs uniquely. Many compounds are formed and accumulated, such as the amino acid theanine. When the tea leaves receive sufficient sunlight, the theanine transforms into catechins and polyphenols. However, in the high mountains, where the day-night and dew-sun cycles are continuously fluctuating, this biological process is frequently interrupted, resulting in higher theanine content in the leaves compared to other regions.
In Vietnam, the high mountainous region of Phja Đén located in the Southeast of Cao Bang Province is highly suitable for growing tea plants that produce Oriental Beauty tea. (Photo: Trà Ô long)
Tea cultivation in Phja Đén almost requires no watering throughout the year due to high humidity and abundant rainfall. Water from dew accumulates on the grass and thick cover underneath. Water is only used during dry months by diverting it from streams.
The fertilizer source for the tea plants mainly comes from animal manure and vegetable waste cultivated locally. Thanks to a balanced ecosystem, pests such as green leafhoppers and thrips are naturally controlled by their natural enemies.
In addition to Phja Đén, regions such as Lâm Đồng, Mộc Châu – Sơn La have also succeeded in cultivating tea plants that produce the famous Dong Phuong My Nhan tea. (Photo: Oolong Tea)
Currently, the production of Dong Phuong My Nhan tea in Vietnam is quite limited, with relatively high prices, primarily sold to enthusiasts of this tea. It is hoped that in the future, Oolong tea plants producing the renowned Dong Phuong My Nhan tea in Vietnam will successfully attract diners, establishing a strong foothold in both the domestic and international tea markets.
