Along Vietnam, each region has its own characteristics and this has created the natural specialties typical for such regions. Growing in the area at the altitude of approximate 2,000 m above the seawater level where is covered with cloud all year round with high humidity, pure and cool climate, Ta Xua tea has the typical of being fresh and big and covered with snow more ancient tea in other regions. The high contents of tamins of from 39.1% – 40.5% and dissolved substances of 49.1 – 50.2% in the soil have created the special taste for Shan Tuyet Ta Xua Tea, Son La.
Ancient Shan Tuyet Ta Xua tea trees are low, big with wide canopy which is narrower on the top. This ancient tea tree grows naturally and has white buds, yellow branch, the tea leaves are bigger than those in other ancient Shan Tuyet Tea regions. Tea buds after processing still remain white fuzz containing many micronutrients good for the health.
Shan Tuyet Ta Xua Tea, Son La is the only tea kind exploited by Mong people. To harvest tea of this kind, Mong people have to climb on the high ancient tea trees and pick up every single tea buds and put them into their basket. Harvesting tea leaves is time-consuming and unproductive job, each ancient tea tree can only give few kilograms of fresh tea buds per crop.
After harvesting, tea leaves are dried on hot cast iron pan to wither and through the skillful hands of the tea makers, tea buds are covered after each crushing time. The traditional habit to create the unique feature for Ta Xua Tea is that tea drying is only carried out by women from long time ago and this tradition has been passed from the ancestors to their descendents. With small and supple hands, a cast iron pan and the traditional tea drying art, Ta Xua Tea with typical taste has captivated anyone who once enjoys this tea.
Shan Tuyet Ta Xua Tea, according to the language of Mong people, means a medicine. The scientific researches prove that Shan Tuyet tea contains many antioxidant compounds called catechins which are not only helpful in reducing stress, bad cholesterol but also in preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Shan Tuyet Ta Xua Tea has light yellow color. When drinking, the first taste is acrid bitter, and then it is gradually changed into sweet taste. The tea has completely different flavor from that of other tea products. When pouring tea, the white smoke flying in the charming scenery will help the people to forget all stress of the daily life to mix themselves with the nature.
At a modern office or any other place, enjoying a cup of Shan Tuyet Ta Xua Tea, Son La, we will feel as being at this famous place where A Phu is holding My’s hand to take her cross the forest and run away from Pa Tra’s house *. The sound of music is somewhere to take the steps to travel in the mountain: “In the night with so many stars in the stars, there are two persons who are going everywhere together, there are only these two persons, two lovers”.**
Notes:
* The characters in the literature “Husband and Wife of A Phu” by late Writer To Hoai
** Quoted from the song “Bai Ca Tren Nui” by composer Nguyen Van Thuong.
by Son Nguyen
Click Ngay
