As the aroma of tea fills the air during Qingming Festival, Songyang county in Lishui, East China's Zhejiang province, is redefining how tea is enjoyed.

Zhejiang Mingyang Tea Biotechnology Co has introduced innovative tea lozenges, available in flavors like matcha, peach oolong, and lychee black tea, targeting younger consumers. With over 20,000 monthly orders, these products are proving to be a hit.

Songyang is leveraging modern technology to transform its traditional tea industry, expanding into sectors such as healthcare, food, and animal husbandry. This innovation is driving the industry's transformation and growth. The county also aims to rejuvenate its tea industry by venturing into new-style tea drinks.

Zhejiang Zhengdehe Food Co incorporates tea elements into cured meats to improve taste. [Photo/Tide News]

Similarly, Zhejiang Zhengdehe Food Co is incorporating tea elements into products like sausages and cured meats, enhancing flavor and quality while preserving local tea culture.

According to Su Mingwei, deputy general manager of Zhejiang Zhengdehe Food Co, the inclusion of tea polyphenols and theaflavins not only improves taste but also boosts the product's safety.

The local tea house Yushankong has become a hotspot, offering over 40 innovative tea drinks that combine traditional Songyang teas with modern flavors.

Songyang currently boasts over 10 tea deep-processing companies, producing more than 20 innovative products and generating an output value of 852 million yuan ($116.62 million).

Innovative tea-based drinks combine traditional Songyang teas with modern flavors.  [Photo/Tide News]