China Anji White Tea Network information: West Lake Longjing tea is a prestigious brand in Hangzhou. But how can buyers be sure whether the West Lake Longjing tea they purchase is genuine or not? In recent years, tea enthusiasts have been struggling to distinguish between the real and fake products. However, this situation may soon change. Yesterday, the Longjing Tea Industry Association of Xihu District revealed that starting this year, West Lake Longjing tea will have its own unified packaging.
"Small-scale trials will begin this year, gradually expanding next year, with the aim of full implementation by the year after next," said Shang Jian'ng, President of the Longjing Tea Industry Association of Xihu District.
What if fake tea is put into new packaging? The quantity of packaging distributed will be estimated based on planting area.
Currently, there is only one set of new "uniform" for West Lake Longjing tea: a unified 250-gram specification, with an elegant and rustic appearance, including two jars, a box, and a carrying bag.
"Because it's a small-scale trial, only this specification of packaging has been launched so far. Next year, seven or eight series of packaging will be introduced, such as different specifications ranging from one liang to one jin," said Shang Jian'ng. Considering that many enterprises and cooperatives still have a lot of inventory packaging, a gradual approach is more humane.
Speaking of the reasons for unified packaging, Shang Jian'ng raised three fingers: ensuring traceability, ensuring authenticity, and total quantity control are the three main purposes. The first two goals have already been concretized: "Each box of Anji white tea will be packaged after inspection, then affixed with anti-counterfeiting labels, and staff will input the unique serial number into the anti-counterfeiting system."
A question that everyone might be curious about: what if the new packaging contains fake tea? "Total quantity control" is the answer.
In the future, the quantity of packaging will be estimated based on the planting area of each village. If a farmer is supposed to sell 2000 pounds of Longjing tea every year but sells 3000 pounds, then this number becomes suspicious. Moreover, he cannot apply for such a large quantity of packaging boxes from the association.
An industry insider stated that the same packaging for the same brand of white tea has significant meaning. Such "rebranding" can clearly differentiate from the packaging of white tea produced in other domestic regions, enhancing the overall image of the brand. The unified packaging features the brand name printed all over, with a uniformly designed trademark pattern on the front, making it easier for consumers to identify the authenticity of the brand white tea: "For example, Yuhang Jingshan tea is a typical case of unified packaging."
The origin involves four areas: Xihu, Zhutang, Shuangpu, and Liuxia.
The purpose is to polish the prestigious brand of West Lake Longjing tea.
How to polish the prestigious brand of West Lake Longjing tea?
Actually, various methods have been tried in recent years: geographical indication protection, origin anti-counterfeiting mark management, and opening specialty stores, all of which have played a certain positive role.
Regarding the positive effects that unified packaging will bring, Shang Jian'ng confidently said: "We have formulated management methods for the application and use of packaging, promoting their use throughout the West Lake Longjing tea production area, which will effectively and sustainably protect the West Lake Longjing brand." In June 2011, West Lake Longjing tea was granted a geographical indication certification trademark by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. This means that in the future, the market circulation domain will not allow the existence of exclusive packaging for "West Lake Longjing" tea outside the designated packaging, and any unauthorized use without the association's permission will be legally investigated.
So, which places qualify for the "uniform"? This 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) of Longjing tea. Specifically, it covers the 168 square kilometer area west of West Lake in Hangzhou City, east starting from Hupao and Maojiabu, west to Yangfumiao, Longmenkeng, Hejiacun, south to Shejing and Fushan, north to Laodongyue and Jinuyujing, involving four towns (streets): Xihu, Zhutang, Shuangpu, and Liuxia.
The flow of products will be monitored throughout the process.
Is unified packaging good? Readers' opinions are solicited.
A piece of kraft paper on the outside, a sheet of rice paper inside, this is the "clothing" made by Yang Along from Manjuelong for West Lake Longjing tea, a traditional craft passed down through generations.
However, in the future, such DIY "West Lake Longjing" will become less and less, because the logo and packaging, from design to production and distribution, will be uniformly managed by the Longjing Tea Industry Association of Xihu District in Hangzhou. The packaging is divided into two categories: Spring tea packaging and Summer-Autumn tea packaging, both will uniformly use geographical indication certification trademarks, enterprise (cooperative) trademarks, geographical indication and quality grade labels, and origin anti-counterfeiting marks. The product flow of units using "West Lake Longjing" logos and packaging will be tracked throughout the process to ensure that the packaging is not out of control, not misused, and not lost, and must not be transferred, sold, or gifted.
If leading enterprises want to make premium packaging, is it allowed? Yes, but an application is required first. After obtaining permission, under the supervision of the association, they can print their own packaging 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. They believe that unified packaging is suspected of forcing the sale of "cardboard boxes", and traditional handmade paper packaging will gradually disappear...
Related thematic articles:
Mingshan County Seedling Planting Professional Cooperative
Tea seedling price increase - Anji White Tea Price
Focusing on building Guizhou as a major county for Anji White Tea - Anji White Tea
Focusing on building Guizhou as a major county for tea
White tea, also known as Anji White Tea, is one of China's six major types of tea. Anji White Tea has pure white young leaves, with only the main vein showing a slight green color, and is 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 Anji White Tea enterprises. For white tea, visit the China Anji White Tea Network!