China Anji White Tea Network Information: West Lake Longjing tea is a prestigious brand in Hangzhou. However, when purchasing West Lake Longjing tea, buyers often struggle to determine its authenticity. In recent years, this issue has become increasingly troublesome for tea enthusiasts. But such a situation may soon change. Yesterday, the Longjing Tea Industry Association of Xihu District announced that starting this year, West Lake Longjing tea will have its own unified packaging.
"Starting this year, we will conduct small-scale trials, gradually promote it next year, and aim for full implementation the year after," said Shang Jian'ao, president of the Longjing Tea Industry Association of Xihu District. He explained that the new "uniform" for West Lake Longjing tea currently consists of only one set: a 250-gram specification with an elegant design, including two white tea cans, one box, and one carrying bag.
"Because it's a small-scale trial, we currently only offer this specification. Next year, we will launch seven or eight series of packages, such as different specifications ranging from one liang to one jin," added Shang Jian'ao. Considering many enterprises and cooperatives still have a significant amount of inventory packaging, adopting a gradual approach seems more humane.
The reasons for unifying the packaging are threefold: ensuring traceability, guaranteeing authenticity, and controlling the total quantity. The first two goals can be achieved through specific measures: "Each box of Anji White Tea will be packaged after inspection, then affixed with anti-counterfeiting labels, and the unique serial number will be input into the anti-counterfeiting system by staff."
One question everyone might wonder is: what if fake tea is put in the new packaging? The answer lies in "total quantity control." In the future, the quantity of West Lake Longjing tea produced in each village will be calculated based on planting area. If a farmer who should sell 2,000 pounds of Longjing tea annually ends up selling 3,000 pounds, the number becomes suspicious. Moreover, he won't be able to apply for that many packaging boxes from the association.
Industry insiders believe that standardizing packaging for the same brand of Anji White Tea is highly significant. This "change in appearance" can clearly distinguish it from other domestic production areas' Anji White Tea packaging, enhancing the overall brand image. The unified packaging features the brand name printed throughout and a trademark pattern designed uniformly on the front, making it easier for consumers to identify the authenticity of the brand. "For example, Yuhang Jingshan tea is a typical case of unified packaging."
The origin involves four locations: Xihu, Zhutang, Shuangpu, and Liuxia. The purpose is to enhance the prestigious brand. How can we polish the prestigious brand of West Lake Longjing tea?
In recent years, various methods have been employed: geographical indication protection, origin anti-counterfeiting mark management, and opening specialty stores, all of which have played positive roles.
Regarding the positive effects of unified packaging, Shang Jian'ao confidently stated: "We have formulated management methods for the application and use of packaging, which will be promoted across the entire West Lake Longjing tea production area, effectively and sustainably protecting the West Lake Longjing brand." In June 2011, West Lake Longjing tea received the geographical indication certification trademark granted by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. This means that in the future, market circulation will not allow the existence of exclusive "West Lake Longjing" packaging without authorization from the association, which will be legally investigated and dealt with.
As for which places qualify to wear the "uniform," it has been clarified: the production area for products using "West Lake Longjing" packaging includes the primary protection zone (West Lake Scenic Area) and the secondary protection zone (Xihu District). Specifically, it covers a 168-square-kilometer area west of West Lake in Hangzhou City, starting from Hupao and Maojiabu in the east, Yangfumiao, Longmenkan, and Hejia Village in the west, Shejing and Fushan in the south, and Laodongyue and Jinyu Well in the north, involving four towns (streets): Xihu, Zhutang, Shuangpu, and Liuxia.
The flow of products will be monitored throughout the process. Opinions from readers are sought regarding the benefits of uniform packaging.
Previously, Manjuelong’s tea king Yang Along used a traditional method of wrapping West Lake Longjing tea with a piece of kraft paper outside and a sheet of rice paper inside. However, in the future, such DIY "West Lake Longjing" will decrease because the logo and packaging, from design to production and distribution, will be uniformly managed by the Longjing Tea Industry Association of Xihu District. Packaging is divided into two categories: Spring tea packaging and Summer-Autumn tea packaging, both using geographical indication certification trademarks, enterprise (cooperative) trademarks, geographical indication and quality grade labels, and origin anti-counterfeiting marks. The flow of products using the "West Lake Longjing" logo and packaging will be tracked throughout to ensure that the packaging is not out of control, misused, lost, transferred, sold, or gifted.
If leading enterprises wish to create premium packaging, they may do so after applying. Once permitted, they can print their own packaging under the supervision of the association and sign a tripartite contract with the packaging company to determine the quantity. All packaging must be numbered and the style and quantity published online.
However, many villagers disagree with this standardized approach, arguing that unified packaging amounts to forced sales of "cardboard boxes," and traditional handmade paper packaging will gradually disappear...
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White tea, also known as Anji White Tea, is one of China's six major tea categories. Anji White Tea has tender leaves that are pure white, with only the main vein showing a faint green color, making it a rare variant tea species. It belongs to the "low-temperature sensitive type" of tea. The China Anji White Tea Network introduces the origin of white tea, the history of Anji White Tea, Anji White Tea prices, and displays of Anji White Tea enterprises. For white tea, visit the China Anji White Tea Network!