Unexpected meeting

This was the first time since travelling in China (over 7 years) that I stopped in Hubei Province, in the capital Wuhan, to be more precise. In planning my initial trip, I only had to pass through this immense city just for a train transfer. Then I became aware of a company in this province that produced organic and fairtrade teas. My schedule did not allow me to go to their plantation (1hr 30 min flight from the capital) but I was still able to make initial contact by visiting their offices in Wuhan. What a great meeting it was!

It is very rare, currently, to find fairtrade teas in China. There is no demand in the local market, at all. In this case the people who have organised this project in the region of Enshi are enthusiasts who believe in the values conveyed by the fairtrade market. Various European companies have offered guidance and the project has worked very well. The fairtrade framework has enabled the construction of hospitals, schools, and to install drinking water systems and electricity in the communities where tea is produced. In fact, the project worked so well that they have initiated a second one in Yunnan.

While the values promoted are most commendable, what about the tea? The manufacturing techniques used are extremely professionally, I was shown a selection of products each as interesting as the other. Four of them I particularly liked: Lu Zhen - organic / fairtrade, Enshi Long Jing - organic / fairtrade, Yunnan Bai Hao Yin Zhen - organic / fairtrade, and a Pu Er - organic / fairtrade which will arrive later. Meanwhile I shall certainly set aside some time in 2013 to visit more of the plantations ...

Further evidence that tea produced in a good state of mind is very likely to be well made and tasty.

François