I went up to Fanzitian and Sancengping to check on the tea over the last couple of days, and it’s the same old issue: very sparse growth or very slow growth. Even in late October, they are still just tender leaves, feeling much later than usual. A few tea gardens at higher elevations are looking pretty good, though, and will be ready for harvest in late October.
First, about Fanzitian: a few tea gardens situated between 1,400 and 1,600 meters are looking relatively normal and can be harvested by the end of the month, yielding about 70% to 80% of past years’ production. Other tea gardens have very sparse and tender growth, meaning the earliest harvest won’t be until November. Below 1,400 meters, the leaves feel even more tender.
Sancengping Tea Region Winter Tea
Around the highest elevation of 1,600 meters, there was a small amount of harvesting around October 20th, though the yield is also limited. Most tea gardens are exceptionally tender and will likewise have to wait until after November for harvesting.
Winter tea from Fanzitian and Sancengping will probably be about 10 days later than usual. Slow-growing tea isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but this year in other tea regions, the tea is not only growing slowly but also staying small. I just hope Fanzitian and Sancengping don’t end up with the same stunted growth pattern.
Conclusion: I came way too early this year. I’ll make another trip back in 10 days.
