Title: The Rise of Summer and Autumn Teas in the Jiangnan Region Sparked by the New Tea Drink Market

INTERVIEWER: Thank you for joining us today. It seems like fresh ingredients are becoming a staple in the new tea drink market, especially among younger consumers. Can you tell us more about this trend?

INTERVIEWEE: Absolutely! Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see everyone holding a cup of new tea drinks. It’s become a fashionable way for young people to enjoy life and indulge in trendy beverages.

INTERVIEWER: And what about the quality of the tea leaves? How does that play into this?

INTERVIEWEE: The quality of tea leaves is crucial when it comes to making delicious new tea drinks. For example, in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, which sits on the south bank of Hangzhou Bay, we have over 600,000 acres of tea plantations, making it a renowned core production area for green tea.

INTERVIEWER: Historically, what has the focus been like for tea production in this region?

INTERVIEWEE: Traditionally, Shaoxing has concentrated on producing premium spring teas, while the utilization of summer and autumn teas has been relatively low. However, with the surging demand in the new tea drink market, tea companies and farmers are now striving to enhance the quality and utilization of summer and autumn teas, turning them into a new growth opportunity for the local tea industry.

INTERVIEWER: I understand that there has been a significant increase in activity in tea harvesting recently?

INTERVIEWEE: Yes, absolutely! For instance, in the Yucha Village of Fusheng Town, you can see tea farmers busily harvesting with machines for matcha processing. As Liu Zhirong, the manager at Yucha Village Tea Industry, mentioned, “Matcha has evolved from being just an ingredient to showcasing the freshness of tea. Its utilization rate is now at 100%, with stable flavors that blend seamlessly with fresh milk.”

INTERVIEWER: Interesting! What initiatives have been made to meet this growing market demand?

INTERVIEWEE: Three years ago, under the guidance of the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, our company began digital transformations across nearly 5,000 acres of tea gardens to improve the comprehensive utilization of summer and autumn teas. We also implement shading techniques during high temperatures to enhance color and reduce caffeine content, leading to fresher tea.

INTERVIEWER: Wow, that’s impressive! What’s the outcome of these initiatives?

INTERVIEWEE: Thanks to our scientific management, we can add around 200 tons of high-quality tea yearly, translating into a value of nearly 10 million yuan.

INTERVIEWER: And let’s not forget about Longjing tea. How is it performing in the new tea drink market?

INTERVIEWEE: Longjing tea is indeed flourishing. We are not just focusing on the rare pre-Qingming Longjing but are also viewing summer and autumn teas as “golden leaves.” For example, Spring Water Hall, which contracts over 8,000 acres in Shengzhou, can produce 20 tons of Longjing tea daily, supplying renowned tea drink brands.

INTERVIEWER: That sounds like a well-strategized approach! What’s your method for maintaining quality?

INTERVIEWEE: Typically, we blend spring, summer, and autumn teas together. This combination not only retains the freshness of spring teas but also brings in the richness of summer and autumn teas, ensuring stable quality and cost-effectiveness.

INTERVIEWER: Technology seems to play a crucial role here. How has it impacted the industry?

INTERVIEWEE: New technologies and methods are effectively addressing the underutilization of summer and autumn teas in Jiangnan, transforming what used to be considered waste into valuable resources.

INTERVIEWER: What’s the broader picture for the tea industry in Shaoxing?

INTERVIEWEE: Currently, Shaoxing produces around 39,000 tons of tea with a comprehensive output value of 15.5 billion yuan. As Xing Hai, the head of the local Economic Crop Technology Promotion Center, stated, our focus moving forward will be on solidifying our traditional green tea and export advantages while advancing black tea, matcha, and raw tea.

INTERVIEWER: That sounds like a comprehensive plan for growth! What are your projections for the future?

INTERVIEWEE: Shaoxing aims to build a complete tea industry chain and reach a production goal of 45,000 tons by 2027, with the tea industry’s overall value surpassing 20 billion yuan.

INTERVIEWER: Thank you for sharing these insights! It’s exciting to see how the tea landscape is evolving in Shaoxing.