Menghai Tea Factory, a prominent name in the world of Pu-erh tea, indeed owns its own raw material bases. These estates are crucial for ensuring the consistent quality and unique characteristics of their renowned teas, particularly the "Dayi" brand.
The factory's proprietary raw material bases are located in Menghai's Bulang Mountain Township and Bada Township, covering a total area of 20,894 mu (approximately 3,480 acres).
The Bada Base
Situated approximately 110 kilometers southwest of Jinghong, the capital of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, the Bada base neighbors the 1,700-year-old wild tea tree king—the Bada Great Tea Tree. This estate has an average altitude of over 1,700 meters. The climate here is mild year-round, with abundant rainfall. During the tea tree growing season, the area is perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist. The tea produced here possesses high-mountain qualities, with its "color, aroma, and taste" all being of superior grade. It is one of the primary sources of the unique raw materials for the "Dayi" Pu-erh series.
The Bulang Mountain Base
The Bulang Mountain tea plantation is established within the largest timber forest farm in Menghai—the Bulang Mountain Forest Farm—and is adjacent to the famous tourist area of Daluo. The tea gardens are surrounded by dozens of kilometers of timber and broad-leaved forest areas, making them typical ecological tea plantations. Within the farm, forests and tea gardens are interwoven, and streams murmur, creating a scene comparable to the Peach Blossom Spring. Currently, there are over ten thousand mu of high-yield tea gardens. The tea produced here is rich in buds, robust, and free from pollution, providing a strong guarantee for the quality of "Dayi" Pu-erh tea.
In addition to these two proprietary raw material bases, the extensive network of closely cooperative bases across various tea regions, along with the widespread primary tea processing workshops and purchasing stations in towns and villages, also plays a vital role in ensuring a high-quality supply of raw materials for Menghai Tea Factory.
The Historical Foundation
The establishment of these bases was a strategic move during a time when the tea market opened up in 1987. As various regions began setting up their own factories, a fierce battle for raw Mao Cha (unprocessed tea) ensued, leading to inevitable shortages. Although the tea factory had long considered rural areas its "first workshop" and invested significantly in setting up 30 purchasing points across the county—complete with warehouses and stationed personnel—the rise of commodity economy still impacted the factory's raw material supply.
The idea to establish their own bases emerged from a need to secure a stable source of raw materials and mitigate market risks. After thorough surveys and planning, the Bada and Bulang Mountain bases were developed on state-owned wasteland. The process was arduous, involving overcoming challenging conditions such as high altitude, significant temperature variations, and water scarcity. Despite these hardships, large-scale construction commenced, and within three months, the bases began to take shape with terraced tea gardens, interconnected roads, and necessary utilities like water and electricity.
Both bases were planted with tea seeds and cuttings, with support from the Provincial Tea Research Institute providing high-quality cuttings. Thanks to the active labor of the factory staff and proper later management, the two bases collectively covered over ten thousand mu and began initial harvesting within three years.
The Legacy and Impact
The successful establishment of these bases received positive recognition, including from provincial leadership, who affirmed that tea factories having their own bases was the right path. It not only greened barren mountains and provided processing raw materials but also radiated to surrounding villages, helping locals embark on a path to prosperity through scientific tea planting.
After the bases became operational, modern production plants were designed and built, and the most advanced black tea CTC production line was imported from India. The tea produced, thanks to the high-altitude climate and the excellent quality of large-leaf varieties, was processed into black broken tea and sold abroad, becoming a supplier for companies like Lipton. The green tea "Yunshan Yulu" processed from base raw materials became highly favored in the market for its rich aroma, strong taste, and beautiful strip shape.
The Bulang Mountain base, due to its geographical proximity to Laoman'e, its warm and humid climate, heavy fog, surrounding pristine forests, and clean air, produces Pu-erh tea raw materials with high aroma and strong, mellow taste, making it outstanding among teas.
Today, the tea farmers on the Bulang Mountain base are prosperous. The昔日 low, simple houses have been replaced by modern villas scattered among the green mountains, with every household owning a car, living a comfortable life far better than many city dwellers. During the spring tea season, the price of dried tea per kilogram can reach 500–600 yuan, and even autumn tea sells for 250–300 yuan per kilogram, often in short supply. Each tea farming household has an annual income of 400,000–500,000 yuan, having long achieved a well-off life.
The arduous efforts and hard work invested in establishing the bases have borne fruit, and the goal of improving people's lives has been realized.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main raw material bases for Menghai Tea Factory?
Menghai Tea Factory primarily owns two large raw material bases: one in Bada Township and another in Bulang Mountain Township. These bases provide high-quality tea leaves that are essential for producing their famous "Dayi" Pu-erh tea.
Why are these bases important for Pu-erh tea quality?
The locations are chosen for their optimal growing conditions, including high altitude, mild climate, abundant rainfall, and rich biodiversity. These factors contribute to the unique "color, aroma, and taste" of the tea, ensuring superior quality and the distinctive characteristics associated with high-mountain teas.
How does Menghai Tea Factory ensure the quality of its tea beyond its own bases?
Besides its proprietary bases, the factory maintains a network of tightly-cooperative bases across various tea regions. It also operates numerous primary processing workshops and purchasing stations in towns and villages. This extensive system helps in consistently acquiring high-quality raw materials.
Can tea from these bases be considered ecological or organic?
The Bulang Mountain base, in particular, is described as an ecological tea plantation, surrounded by forests and free from pollution. While the text doesn't explicitly certify them as organic, the emphasis on natural growing conditions, minimal pollution, and the use of modern management practices suggests a strong focus on sustainable and quality-focused cultivation.
What is the historical significance of these tea bases?
The bases were established in the late 1980s as a strategic response to raw material shortages and market volatility. Their creation was a groundbreaking move to secure a stable, high-quality supply chain. The success of these bases not only ensured the factory's raw material needs but also significantly boosted the local economy and helped surrounding communities achieve prosperity through tea cultivation.
How has the establishment of these bases impacted local communities?
The bases have had a profoundly positive impact on local communities. Tea farmers working with or near these bases have seen dramatically increased incomes, allowing them to improve their living standards significantly. The industry has brought economic prosperity, transforming local livelihoods.
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