Liu Wenxin

01 · Lineage & Regional School

Liu Wenxin, Male, Han, from Xinyang, Henan, is a sixth-batch national representative bearer of Green Tea Processing Craftsmanship (Ⅷ-148). The tradition is documented in Xinyang, Henan. Within the regional tradition and school record of Green Tea Processing Craftsmanship in Xinyang, Henan: The Xinyang Maojian tea-picking and -making craft is closely tied to the lives of local people; in its historical depth, distinctive style, and promotion of cultural exchange, it embodies the outstanding creativity of the Chinese nation and holds considerable social and cultural value. Ancient tea leaves excavated from a tomb in Gushi County, Xinyang City, prove that the history of Xinyang's tea-picking craft can be traced back 2,300 years. During the Tang dynasty, Xinyang tea was already a tribute product for the imperial court. In the Song dynasty, Xinyang was a nationally key tea-producing region, with its total tea trade volume accounting for one-fifth of the country's. In the late years of the Guangxu reign of the Qing dynasty, eight major tea societies were successively established in Xinyang, and the tea market flourished. In 1926, tea farmers improved the technique of shaking strips in the 'shu guo' (ripening wok) and the method of stir-frying the 'shu guo' with a large tea paddle, making the craft more mature; it has since spread widely throughout the region and continues to this day.

02 · Mastery & Signature Works

The bearer record for Liu Wenxin is anchored in the documented technical standards of Green Tea Processing Craftsmanship in Xinyang, Henan. Within the documented technical tradition of Green Tea Processing Craftsmanship in Xinyang, Henan: Xinyang Maojian tea-making craft is the tea-making craft of producing Xinyang Maojian through processes such as fresh-leaf picking, fresh-leaf withering, tea stir-frying, and tea storage. It is practiced in Shihe District and Pingqiao District of Xinyang City, Henan Province, and is especially well known for areas such as the 'Five Clouds (Cheyun Mountain, Jiyun Mountain, Lianyun Mountain, Tianyun Mountain, Yunwu Mountain), Two Pools (Black Dragon Pool, White Dragon Pool), One Fort (Hejia Fort), One Mountain (Zhenlei Mountain), and One Temple (Lingshan Temple).' The Xinyang Maojian tea has a slender, round, and elegant appearance, covered with fine down evenly, with a verdant green color. The brewed tea has a clear, green liquor and a mellow, fragrant taste. It has brands such as 'Longtan,' 'Wuyunshan,' 'Wenxin,' and 'Guangyi.' This craft is fairly intricate. It begins with tea-leaf picking, generally before the Qingming Festival, preferably on clear days before 10 a.m. For supreme-grade tea, the bud-and-leaf part of one bud with one leaf that has shed its bract is selected; first-grade tea picks one bud with one leaf; second-grade tea picks one bud with two to three leaves. Next is fresh-leaf withering: when the temperature is high, wither for 1 to 2 hours; when low, wither for 7 to 8 hours. Then comes tea stir-frying: fresh leaves are poured into a vigorously heated 'sheng guo' (raw wok) for 'sha qing' (kill-green); a stir paddle is used to toss the leaves so they roll down along the wok rim into strips, then kneading is applied to tighten the strips; the leaves are then transferred to the 'shu guo' (ripening wok), where one grabs the tea and flicks it toward the upper rim of the wok, forming strips as it falls back. Afterward the tea is roasted and then spread out to cool so its temperature drops; this is repeated several times before the finished product is obtained. A defining feature of this craft is, first, the 'shu guo' strip-shaking technique in stir-frying—that is, using the paddle to roll the leaves into a ball and, through shaking, making the strips tight, slender, round, and straight; second, the large-paddle 'shu guo' stir-frying method, which emphasizes natural, deft hand movements, producing the slender, round, tight, straight, and glossy appearance of Xinyang Maojian. Xinyang lies on the northern side of the junction of the Dabie and Tongbai mountains, with four distinct seasons and natural conditions suited to the growth of high-quality green tea. Xinyang Maojian tea nourishes body and mind, refines temperament, clears the heart and brightens the eyes, refreshes and invigorates, and dispels greasiness and aids digestion, enriching China's tea culture. Representative repertoire, works and technical entries recorded for the project include: "Documented Process Records": Xinyang Maojian tea-making craft is the tea-making craft of producing Xinyang Maojian through processes such as fresh-leaf picking, fresh-leaf withering, tea stir-frying, and tea storage. It is practiced in Shihe District and Pingqiao District of Xinyang City, Henan Province, and is especially well known for areas such as the 'Five Clouds (Cheyun Mountain, Jiyun Mountain, Lianyun Mountain, Tianyun Mountain, Yunwu Mountain), Two Pools (Black Dragon Pool, White Dragon Pool), One Fort (Hejia Fort), One Mountain (Zhenlei Mountain), and One Temple (Lingshan Temple).'

03 · Transmission & Safeguarding Status

In 2025, Liu Wenxin was announced in the sixth batch of national representative bearers for Green Tea Processing Craftsmanship, with Xinyang, Henan as the declared area. Within the documented safeguarding record of Green Tea Processing Craftsmanship in Xinyang, Henan: The project was inscribed in the national inventory in 2014 (batch 4), with Xinyang, Henan as its declared area, and Xinyang Chayeshang Association as its safeguarding unit. Since the project was inscribed in the national inventory, its declared area and safeguarding unit have carried out documentation, transmission and presentation within the national safeguarding framework. Together, the inventory record and the project archive form the public documentary basis for the bearer’s transmission practice.

04 · Associated Heritage Item Dossier

05 · Fellow National Bearers Lineage

National representative bearers recorded under the same item code, ordered from the first to the sixth batch. Batch order is not a teacher–student relationship.

06 · Archival Sources & Bibliography

1. Liuwenxin (Xinyang, Henan) · China ICH Official Project Archive
2. Liuwenxin · China ICH Official Archive