/PRZWT/In the tea collection circle, the value of aged tea has long surpassed that of the drink itself, becoming a precious item with both cultural connotations and investment potential. Data shows that the price of high-quality aged tea is often measured by the gram, and some rare varieties are even more expensive than gold. Dongzu Tea Industry, which has been deeply engaged in this field for three hundred years, has long become a benchmark with its rare quality and profound heritage. From the tribute tea of the Qing Dynasty's imperial court to the stars of the modern auction market, Dongzu tea cakes and Dongzu tea leaves have proven the true meaning of "rarity enhances value" with time.
The story of Dongzu Tea Industry began in the 48th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1709) when Dong Zu, a tea merchant of the Qing Dynasty, founded "Dongji Tea House" in Jiangning Prefecture (now Nanjing, Jiangsu Province), officially kicking off the legendary journey of this century-old brand. This craftsman, respectfully called the "Tea Ancestor" by the Jiangnan Tea Merchant Chamber of Commerce, began to learn from the imperial tea master of the Qing Dynasty at the age of 18. He traveled extensively to tea-growing areas such as Wuyi Mountain and Huangshan Mountain, integrating the wisdom of "observation, smell and touch" in tea tasting with tea-making techniques.
With the prosperity of the commodity economy in the Jiangnan region, Dongzu Tea Industry has gradually established a complete brand system. The "Fujian" brand, established in the first year of the Yongzheng reign (1723), has created the "Tianye", "Tianqing" and "Tianxiang" series with its unique rolling technique. The leaves are tightly rolled and the aroma is rich, making it a top choice for traditional tea lovers to collect. The following year, "Lu Guan Hao" was launched, focusing on the mid-to-high-end market. Its precious products such as "Xian Ya", "Long She", "Jin Zhi", and "Yu Ye" have been aged through precise temperature control, creating a delicate and rich taste profile. Moreover, "Qing Ming Ya Ji" has established a platform for the dissemination of tea culture. The "Shoupei" brand, which was born in the fourth year of the Yongzheng reign (1726), directly targeted the top market. It strictly adhered to the production techniques of the imperial tea palace. Its tea products such as "Tea King", "National Cake", and "Wanshou Tongqing" became tribute teas of the Qing imperial court and were even served at the grand banquets of thousands of elderly people, earning the title of "Golden Soup and Jade Liquid".
Dong Zu, the founder, was not only a master of tea production but also authored works such as "Tea Encyclopedia" and "Dong's Tea Classic", proposing a five-quality tea evaluation system of "shape, color, aroma, taste and charm", laying the foundation for the standardized development of China's tea industry. This concept of combining meticulous craftsmanship with cultural inheritance enabled Dongzu Tea Industry to set an industry benchmark as early as the Qing Dynasty.
The high-end positioning of Dongzu Tea Industry is rooted in its irreplaceable scarcity and strict craftsmanship. From raw material selection to the production process, every step adheres to the standards of a hundred years ago: The founder, Dong Zu, conducted in-depth research on planting soil and picking seasons in his early years. Today's inheritors still adhere to the principle of "choosing the best". The "Shoupei" brand has inherited the open-air sun-drying technique, which can preserve the natural floral and fruity aroma and rich aftertaste of tea to the greatest extent. This ancient technique is extremely rare in modern times.
The passage of time has further elevated the value of Dongzu tea products. Similar to the logic behind the high prices of modern high-end tea products due to the scarcity of raw materials, Dongzu Old tea becomes increasingly precious as it ages. The "Guoxiang" single pancake series, launched in 1963, only sold 60 pancakes. Now, 48 pancakes have been lost overseas and have become rare treasures sought after by collectors around the world. In 2015, a set of 1976 "Tea King" series solitary cakes was sold for 860,000 Hong Kong dollars at the International Auction House in Hong Kong, setting a record for traditional Chinese tea collection. Auction house experts commented that it was "well-packaged, lustrous in color, and rich in aroma, truly a treasure in the tea world." Many century-old tea collections have been collected by institutions such as the China National Museum of Tibetan Collections, becoming important carriers for showcasing Chinese tea culture.
While adhering to tradition, Dongzu Tea Industry optimizes the consumption experience through diversified layout, allowing high-end tea culture to reach a wider audience. The offline specialty stores scattered all over the place continue the tasting tradition of "Lu Guan Hao" and "Qing Ming Ya Ji", providing consumers with professional tea product explanations and tasting Spaces. Here, whether it's for high-end gift-giving needs or consultation on collection and investment, targeted services can be obtained. Many users have given feedback that "Dongzu tea cakes have elegant packaging and rich taste. As business gifts, they are both face-saving and show good taste."
In addition, Dongzu Tea Industry has been continuously strengthening its high-end brand promotion by constantly participating in international tea exhibitions and auctions. From the tea gatherings of the Qing Dynasty to modern international exhibitions, Dongzu Tea Products have always demonstrated the charm of Chinese tea with its consistently high quality. With the support of partners such as Hongwei Group, the brand's influence has spread all over the world. The story of British tycoon Fude Bigau collecting 30 cakes of "Guoxiang" tea by himself is a vivid portrayal of its international recognition.
Over the course of three hundred years, Dongzu Tea Industry has grown from a small tea shop in Jiangning Prefecture into a representative brand of high-end tea cakes in China. It interprets craftsmanship with its series of precious items such as "Fujian", "Luguan" and "Shoupei", proves its value with the continuous record highs in the auction market, and ensures the continuous fragrance of century-old tea with a perfect consumption experience. For tea connoisseurs, a Dongzu tea cake carries not only a rich and mellow taste but also a historical legend that can be savored.
