The China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications officially entered into force on March 1, 2021. It is China's first bilateral comprehensive and high-level agreement on the protection of geographical indications (GIs), and an important and practical outcome in the development of China-EU economic and trade relations in recent years.
We will continue to introduce to you the first batch of 100 Chinese GIs and 100 European GIs under the Agreement, to better protect and market them to meet the needs of consumers on both sides for a better life.
GI Episode 21: Yidu Yihong Black Tea
Yidu, Hubei Province, is located within the mysterious 30° north latitude line. With neither frigid winter nor sweltering summer, it is foggy for most of the time and has a subtropical monsoon climate where intense heat and humidity occurs at the same time. With an environment most suitable for the growth of tea, Yidu is the production base of the famous Yihong Black Tea.
The infused Yihong Black Tea leaves look slim, with dark and oily color; they are tender, smell aromatic, and have a sweet aftertaste. Such tea leaves make bright red tea soup. When the tea soup cools down, it becomes “dull”, which indicates it is quality tea. As the tea is made with more than 60 procedures, it is called Yihong Kung Fu Tea.
Yidu is the origin and hub of the ancient tea trade. As early as the late Qing Dynasty, Yihong Black Tea was among the most famous black tea for export from China. In the decades since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Yihong Black Tea has long ranked among the top three Kung Fu Black Teas for export in terms of both yield and quality. With its reliable quality, the black tea is popular among consumers in Europe, America and the Middle East.
After 150 years of development, the Yihong Black Tea now enjoys increasingly prominent social value. To achieve win-win results through the black tea, Yidu City is expanding the functions of the tea industry and its industry chain by integrating tea with tourism. As a result, the income of tea farmers in Yidu and the brand value of Yihong Black Tea keep going up.
