A visitor experiences tea-making at Lize Tea House in Jinhua. [Photo/Jinhua Media Group]

Over 20 Croatian agricultural delegates have concluded their study tour in China, enriched by a visit to Lize Tea House in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, where they explored tea culture.

Zhejiang is renowned for its high-quality teas, with Jinhua offering a rich variety and profound cultural heritage. In 2022, Jinhua's green tea (Wuzhou Juyan) craftsmanship and traditional tea market customs were included in the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. "This is an important reason why Jinhua was chosen to experience tea culture," said Ye Longhua, head of Lize Tea House.

During the visit, Ye introduced the origins and varieties of Chinese tea, highlighting various aspects of related intangible cultural heritage. The tasting session featured local specialties like Wuzhou Juyan, Wuyang Chunyu, and Pan'an Yunfeng, showcasing Jinhua's prowess in the tea industry.

Staff demonstrated traditional brewing techniques and tea-tasting etiquette, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the process.

Croatia lacks traditional tea-making skills, with a culture centered around coffee. The delegates were intrigued by the social and health benefits of Chinese tea culture, which emphasizes hospitality and connection. They expressed interest in learning more about traditional tea processing and Jinhua's successful integration of tea culture into rural development.