Ancient Tea Research Articles

Study on the Intellectual Property Protection and Cultural Heritage Inheritance of the Borderland-selling Tea Jingyang Fu Brick Tea

The borderland-selling tea, mainly dark tea and brick tea, is a kind of special commodity of the ethnic minority in China. The famous historical tea, Jingyang Fu brick tea, is a kind of competitive borderland-selling tea on the Ancient Tea Route, the main cargo for export on the Ancient Silk Road. This paper introduces the general situation of the borderland-selling tea, and analyzes the agricultural intellectual property rights of the tea, based on geographical indications, agricultural biological genetic resources, traditional knowledge, trademark rights, patent rights and new varieties of plant. This paper discusses the countermeasures of traditional tea culture inheritance and innovation development from the aspects of intellectual property protection, transmission of traditional knowledge, innovation of agricultural science and technology, cultural inheritance of the Ancient Tea Route, “Along the way” strategy. The corresponding recommendations are put.

西双版纳地区古茶树遗传多样性分析

西双版纳地区古茶树遗传多样性分析

Landscape Pattern Evolution and Ecological Protection Planning on Simao to Ninger Segment of the Ancient Tea Horse Road

There are a large number of cultural and natural landscapes aggregating and emerging in the ancient tea horse road. Accurately grasp the dynamic change process of landscape pattern in the area, and analysis natural and human driving force in the landscape pattern evolution of history heritage corridor ancient tea horse road that play the role, for to formulate ecological protection planning of the historical and cultural heritage corridor have great significance. This paper selects these towns and villages which stand along the typically initial segment of the ancient tea horse road i.e. route of Simao to Ninger that as the research object. It uses 1999,2006 and 2013 Landsat TM and ETM remote sensing images as the basic data, and integrating use of RS, GIS and landscape ecology related theory methods, and analyses the characteristics of the landscape dynamic evolution and driving forces and driving mechanism for 14 years in this research area. The results show that has significant changes landscape pattern in study area from 1999 to 2013. The main conclusions are as follows. From the level of types, reduction amount of the forest area is the most, a reduction of 7%, the fragmentation degree increases. Urban construction land shows an overall growth trend, its area increases significantly, an increase of 22.3%, the degree of aggregation increases, the connectivity of urban construction land strengthens, and the patch shape tends to be simple. The area of grassland and water overall area trends to increase. The area of cultivated land trends to increase. From the level of landscapes, in this study area, landscape patch density continues to decrease, the total number of landscape patches continues to reduce, on the whole, the landscape patch distribution becomes more continuous, tends to fusion between patches. Landscape separation index trends to be rising, distribution of landscape types tends to be complex and discrete, individual patches are sporadic, scattered. The landscape of the Shannon diversity index and Shannon evenness index shows a certain rising trend, the diversity of landscape structure is increasing. The rising of Shannon evenness index shows that the control force of the original landscape that was in dominant position on the whole landscape is declining, and influence of different landscape types on the whole landscape pattern tends to equilibrium. This research focuses on the analysis on the driving factors and driving mechanism of the evolution of landscape pattern in the study area from natural factors and human factors. The result shows that topographic factors, demographic factors, economic factors, industrialization and urbanization factors, economic system and decision making factors affect the change of landscape pattern jointly. Meanwhile, at different spatial scales and time scales, the main driving forces which have influence on the landscape pattern are not the same.

Tree size predicts vascular epiphytic richness of traditional cultivated tea plantations in Southwestern China

Species–area relationship has been widely addressed on many plant communities, but very few have conducted on epiphytic communities. Epiphytic plants are plentiful on ancient tea trees (Camelia sinensis var. assamica) in the well-known Jingmai tea plantation area, Langcang region of Yunnan Province, SW China, and add to the plant community biodiversity. We investigated 343 tea trees with various ground diameter, canopy area, under branch height, and tree height. A total of 146 vascular epiphytic plants, belonging to 19 species in seven families were recorded from the trunk or branches of 93 (27.11%) investigated trees. We examined in situ abundance, richness, and diversity (Shannon–Weiner index) of the recorded vascular epiphytes, and their relationships to tree variables. Our results showed that the distribution (abundance, richness, and diversity) of epiphytic plants are significantly related to the canopy area (p<0.05) and basal diameter (p<0.0001) of tea trees, supporting their use as key factors and good predictor for the epiphyte’s appearance in this type of agro-ecosystems. We also concluded that the species–area relationship is a useful epiphytic species community research tool.

157 - Skin Antiaging and Detoxifying Properties of Ancient Tea Forest Pu’er Tea

Skin aging is mainly linked to degradation of the extracellular matrix, oxidative stress, environmental stress, and weakening of the skin’s natural defenses. Pu’er is a gradually fermented and aged tea (Camellia sinensis) produced in Yunnan, China. Ancient tea forests with tall, old trees are still found growing on acidic soils with rich microfloras at altitudes of 150–1500 m in subtropical southern Yunnan, near the Myanmar border. The leaves of C. sinensis plants in these forests were examined to identify properties having potential skin care applications. Phytochemical analysis of ancient tea forest Pu’er tea reveals a higher polyphenol concentration than in green tea as well as a specific catechin and catechin oligomer composition that may help protect the skin. Elastin is the main protein modified during skin aging, and this explains the loss of biomechanical properties that characterizes this process. We performed a conventional in vitro anti–human leukocyte elastase assay, measuring absorbance at 410 nm. Our polyphenol-rich Pu’er tea extract had an IC50 (µg/ml) of 3.36, while the standard inhibitor, oleanolic acid, had an IC50 of 11.68. Heme oxygenase (HO-1) is a cytoprotective enzyme known to maintain the healthy function of tissues and limit oxidative damage to them. HO-1 expression is directly correlated with pollution—i.e., high concentrations of organic carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and reactive fine or ultrafine particles. After exposing RAW264.7 macrophages cells to hemin (toxin) at 5 µM/L and Pu’er tea extract at 5 and 50 µg/ml, HO-1 gene expression was measured at 75% and 92% respectively, showing that the extract has strong protective effects. These findings point to potential detoxifying and elastin-protecting properties of value for use in skin care products.

A comparative analysis of chemical compositions in Camellia sinensis var. puanensis Kurihara, a novel Chinese tea, by HPLC and UFLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS

Camellia sinensis var. puanensis Kurihara (Puan tea) is a kind of ancient tea plant newly found in Jiangxipo and the surrounding areas of Puan County (Guizhou, China). People there always believe that drinking Puan tea is beneficial to the promotion of health and prevention of diseases. However, detailed information on its compositions has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, the varieties and contents of purine alkaloids and polyphenols in Puan tea were identified and determined by HPLC and UFLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Our results showed that theacrine, but not caffeine, was the dominated purine alkaloid detected in Puan tea. Meanwhile, Puan tea contained B-type procyanidin dimer, trimer and dimer monogallate, which were not detected in Camellia sinensis, Camellia ptilophylla and Camellia assamica var. kucha. The obtained results could support the local uses of Puan tea in health and nutrition and contribute to the research of tea variety.

A Comparative Study of Narrative mode between Korean and Chinese Ethnographic Films : Focusing on KBS Program ‘Asian Corridor in Heaven’ and YNTV Program ‘The Ancient Tea Route’

A Comparative Study of Narrative mode between Korean and Chinese Ethnographic Films : Focusing on KBS Program ‘Asian Corridor in Heaven’ and YNTV Program ‘The Ancient Tea Route’

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal dietary plants used by the Naxi People in Lijiang Area, Northwest Yunnan, China.

BackgroundFood and herbal medicinal therapy is an important aspect of Chinese traditional culture and traditional Chinese medicine. The Naxi are indigenous residents of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and the medicine of the Naxi integrates traditional Chinese, Tibetan, and Shamanic medicinal systems, however, little is known about the medicinal dietary plants used by the Naxi people, or their ethnobotanical knowledge. This is the first study to document the plant species used as medicinal dietary plants by the Naxi of the Lijiang area.MethodsEthnobotancial surveys were conducted with 89 informants (35 key informants) from 2012 to 2013. Three different Naxi villages were selected as the study sites. Literature research, participatory investigation, key informant interviews, and group discussions were conducted to document medicinal dietary plants and the parts used, habitat, preparation methods, and function of these plants. The fidelity level (FL) was used to determine the acceptance of these medicinal dietary plants. Voucher specimens were collected for taxonomic identification.ResultsSurveys at the study sites found that 41 ethnotaxa corresponded to 55 botanical taxa (species, varieties, or subspecies) belonging to 24 families and 41 genera. Overall, 60 % of documented plants belonged to seven botanical families. The most common families were Compositae (16.4 %) and Rosaceae (10.9 %). Roots (34.1 %) were the most common part used. Wild-gathered (68.3 %), semi-domesticated (17.1 %), and cultivated (14.6 %) were the most common habitats of medicinal dietary plants. Stewing plants with meat was the most common preparation and consumption method. The plants were used to treat 21 major health conditions; alleviating fatigue (42.8 %) was the most common. The maximum FL of 100 was found for 68.3 % of the medicinal dietary plantsConclusionsThe medicinal dietary plants used by the Naxi people are diverse and are used to treat a wide spectrum of body disorders. Further studies focusing on safety, detoxification, and nutritional value of the plants should be conducted to allow them to be used to improve health and prevent diseases in modern society.

Steppe cultures in South-western mountainous region of China and the formation of ‘Ancient Tea Route’

Steppe cultures in South-western mountainous region of China and the formation of ‘Ancient Tea Route’

The Status and Characteristics of Traditional Medicine Markets in Dali Prefecture

The Dali Prefecture,where Bai,Han and Tibetan ethnic groups are found,is located on the Ancient Tea- Horse Road. Trade in tea and medicinal materials,dating back to ancient times,remain important in local markets that serve as centers for exchange of goods and also as cultural centers for the three ethnic groups. With the rapid e- conomic development of China and the influence of western medicine,the traditional markets in the region,and therefore the trade and culture that focuses on medicinal materials,could be under threat. It is important,therefore, to document the characteristics of traditional medicine markets while they still operate. We have conducted an ethno- botanical investigation involving the study of medicinal materials traded in three important traditional markets in Da- li. We found that traditional medicine exchange is still an important component of the Bai,Han and Tibetan culture, and that traditional knowledge about medicinal plants differs between these ethnic groups. The three groups have dif- ferent ways of distributing sales staff and in dealing with different medicinal plants. The multiethnic exchange and di-versity of customs in markets illustrate the mutual needs of the three groups and reflect the importance of exchange markets in traditional medicine practised in the area.

Tea forest in the making: Tea production and the ambiguity of modernity on China’s southwest frontier

The simultaneous but incompatible desires for both “tradition” and “advancement” have produced the “ambiguity of modernity” in the areas of minority nationalities (shaoshu minzu diqu) on China’s southwest frontier. This paper, in accordance, directly addresses the ambiguity of modernity through the investigation of the tea landscape in Yunnan. This essay builds on Aihwa Ong and Stephen Collier’s “global assemblage” framework to analyze the relationship between the “global form” of modernity and the situated assemblages of “ambiguity of modernity” in southwest China. Data are based on ethnographic research in the village of Mangjing, located in Jingmai Mountain, a renowned tea mountain in Yunnan. Most of the villagers in Mangjing are one of the minority nationalities of China, Bulang. I discuss the state-led project in transforming the modern tea plantation for “restoring” a landscape deemed as “ancient tea forest” (guchalin) in Mangjing. In addition, I address Bulang villagers’ and government officials’ multiple responses to the transformation of tea landscapes. I argue that the transformation of tea landscapes has been the practice to turn the “global form” of modernity into the shifting “assemblages” amongst tradition, modernity, science, and nature. The ambiguity of modernity has emerged from the shifting assemblages, providing both the state and Bulang villagers more leeway to symbolically and physically (re)produce meanings for the tea landscapes to meet the contingent market demand for tea. The transformation of tea landscapes, however, has become another process to perpetuate Bulang villagers’ social status of being “low quality” as China’s minority nationalities.

Assessment of plant species diversity of ancient tea garden communities in Yunnan, Southwest of China

Ancient tea garden has existed in Lancang County, Yunnan Province for more than 1,300 years, and is regarded as the provenance of Pu’er Tea’s seed source. The ancient tea garden ecosystem is a typical model that integrates conservation biodiversity and utilization of natural resources. In order to reveal the role of biodiversity conservation of this ecosystem, plant diversity and application value of ancient tea gardens, normal tea gardens and secondary forestry communities in Lancang County were surveyed and compared. 360 households investigation were also conducted by using household-based agro-biodiversity assessment (HH-ABA). The results showed: (1) Ancient tea garden communities have high biodiversity, whose plant species diversity (H = 3.03) is lower than that of secondary forestry (H = 4.59) and higher than that of normal tea garden (H = 2.62); (2) Life forms analysis of plant species showed the vertical structure of the ancient tea garden communities are intact, herbs, trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes are included, which is similar to that of secondary forest, while normal tea garden is dominant by herbs and no trees; (3) A large number of protected species, including five endangered, seven vulnerable and three rare, is well conserved in the ancient tea garden, while no protected species were found in secondary forest and normal tea garden; (4) The analysis of agro-biodiversity revealed that 56 % of plant species in the ancient tea garden are effectively used by households, while no plant except tea trees is used in normal tea garden; (5) The integrated values of ancient tea garden and normal tea garden illustrated that both biodiversity conservation and economic income of ancient tea garden are higher than that of normal tea garden. We suggest that the local peoples’ knowledge and experience on resource management and utilization should be well documented and encouraged, and effective conservation and reasonable utilization of ancient tea garden would be achieved through training and demonstration with the participation of the local government, research institution and farmer.

Comparative study on the chloroplast RPL32-TRNL nucleotide variation within and genetic differentiation among ancient tea plantations of Camellia sinensis var. assamica and C. taliensis (Theaceae) from Yunnan, China.

Comparative study on the chloroplast RPL32-TRNL nucleotide variation within and genetic differentiation among ancient tea plantations of Camellia sinensis var. assamica and C. taliensis (Theaceae) from Yunnan, China.

Genetic diversity of ancient tea gardens and tableland tea gardens from Yunnan Province as revealed by AFLP marker

This study was conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity within and among the plants of four ancient tea gardens and two tableland tea gardens form Yunnan Province, China by AFLP technique. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P) of the plants from six tea gardens was 92.31%. The genetic diversity within the six gardens demonstrated by Nei cents genetic diversity (He) was estimated to be 0.1366, while Shannon indices (Ho) were 0.2323. The percentage of polymorphic loci of the four ancient tea populations was 45.55% on average, with a range of 36.44% (Mengsong) to 59.11% (Mengla). But the percentages of polymorphic loci of the plants from two tableland gardens were 13.77% (Yunkang 10) and 24.2% (Menghai Daye), respectively. There was a great genetic difference between ancient tea gardens and tableland tea gardens. The genetic diversity among the plants of the ancient tea garden was higher than those of the sexual tableland tea garden and the clone tableland tea garden based on P valve. The four ancient tea gardens and two tableland gardens could be differentiated with AFLP markers. The results show that AFLP marker is an effective tool in the discrimination of tea germplasm, as well as sundried green tea.

Plant biodiversity assessment of the ancient tea garden ecosystem in Jingmai of Lancang, Yunnan

Ancient tea gardens in Lancang County,Yunnan Province are regarded as the provenance of the well-known Pu’er Tea. The ancient tea garden ecosystem is a typical example for the integration of conservation and utilization of natural resources. In order to understand its role in biodiversity conservation,we conducted field surveys in 78 sample plots of 20 m×20 m,and surveyed 360 households using household-based agrobiodiversity assessment(HH-ABA) in two neighboring administrative villages,Mangjing and Jingmai,of Lancang County. The results showed that (1) the geobotanical components of Jingmai and Mangjing areas are of obviously tropical characteristics; (2) a large number of important species,including five endangered,seven vulnerable and three rare,are well protected in the ancient tea gardens. Among them,11 species are listed in Category III of the State Protection List; (3) the plant diversity of ancient tea gardens is slightly lower than that of natural forests but much higher than that of normal tea gardens; (4) the life forms of plant species in the ancient tea gardens are as follows: herbs> arbors> shrubs> vines>epiphytes (including parasites). Compared to natural forests,there are less arbors and shrubs and more herbs and epiphytes (including parasites) in the ancient tea gardens; (5) the analysis of agrobiodiversity revealed that there existed differences in species richness and resource utilization extent from different villages. The average species richness index in the 6 villages is 0.059,which is higher than that of upland rice field and rubber plantation at the same latitude. The ancient tea gardens in this area play important roles in maintaining biodiversity. We suggest that local peoples’ knowledge and experiences on resource management should be well documented and encouraged,and effective conservation and reasonable utilization of ancient tea gardens would be achieved through training and demonstration with the participation of the local government,research institutions and farmers.

The Entry of Chinese Women into the Rural Labor Force: A Case Study from Taiwan

Previous articleNext article No AccessThe Entry of Chinese Women into the Rural Labor Force: A Case Study from TaiwanRita S. GallinRita S. Gallin Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Signs Volume 9, Number 3Spring, 1984 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/494067 Views: 2Total views on this site Citations: 18Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1984 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Jing Shen, Feng-Tzu Huang, Rung-Jiun Chou Agricultural-Heritage-Oriented Rural Revitalization: Experiences from the Ancient Tea Town of Xiping, Land 10, no.99 (Sep 2021): 927.https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090927Daniel Fu Keung Wong, Ting Kin Ng, Xiao Yu Zhuang Caregiving burden and psychological distress in Chinese spousal caregivers: gender difference in the moderating role of positive aspects of caregiving, Aging & Mental Health 23, no.88 (May 2018): 976–983.https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2018.1474447Hsiao-Chiao Chiu Women's Labour, Kinship, and Economic Changes in Jinmen in the Era of Authoritarian Rule, Journal of Current Chinese Affairs 47, no.22 (Aug 2018): 193–218.https://doi.org/10.1177/186810261804700208Ping Shaw, Yue Tan Feminism and social change: women's place in Taiwanese newspapers and public opinion, Asian Journal of Communication 24, no.44 (Apr 2014): 351–369.https://doi.org/10.1080/01292986.2014.892145Jessie Shu-Yun Wu Continuity and Change: Comparing Work and Care Reconciliation of Two Generations of Women in Taiwan, (Jan 2014): 66–89.https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137314796_4Yue Tan, Ping Shaw, Hong Cheng, Kwangmi Ko Kim The Construction of Masculinity: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Men’s Lifestyle Magazine Advertisements, Sex Roles 69, no.5-65-6 (Jun 2013): 237–249.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-013-0300-5C.-L. Julie Liu, C. Regehr Power and Control as a Framework for Practice--The Case of Intimate Partner Violence Work in Taiwan, Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 8, no.44 (Oct 2008): 381–389.https://doi.org/10.1093/brief-treatment/mhn025 Hong Zhang China’s New Rural Daughters Coming of Age: Downsizing the Family and Firing Up Cash‐Earning Power in the New Economy Zhang, Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 32, no.33 (Jul 2015): 671–698.https://doi.org/10.1086/510923Chu-Li Julie Liu, Cheryl Regehr Cross-cultural application of self-in-relation theory, International Social Work 49, no.44 (Jul 2006): 459–470.https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872806065324Chien-Juh Gu, Rita S. Gallin Taiwan, (Jan 2003): 848–857.https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-29907-6_88Yen-Yi Huang Women’s contradictory roles in the community, International Social Work 44, no.33 (Jul 2001): 361–373.https://doi.org/10.1177/002087280104400307W. A. Dunaway The "Disremembered" of the Antebellum South: A New Look at the Invisible Labor of Poor Women, Critical Sociology 21, no.33 (Jan 1995): 89–106.https://doi.org/10.1177/089692059502100304SUSAN GREENHALGH de-Orientalizing the Chinese family firm, American Ethnologist 21, no.44 (Oct 2009): 746–775.https://doi.org/10.1525/ae.1994.21.4.02a00050Roger Mark Selya Taiwan as a service economy, Geoforum 25, no.33 (Aug 1994): 305–322.https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7185(94)90033-7Mary Bresnahan, Deborah A. Cai, Ayana Rivers Saying no in Chinese and English: Cultural similarities and differences in strategies of refusal, Asian Journal of Communication 4, no.11 (Jan 1994): 52–76.https://doi.org/10.1080/01292989409359594Catherine S. Farris Gender and Grammar in Chinese, Modern China 14, no.33 (Aug 2016): 277–308.https://doi.org/10.1177/009770048801400302Ichiro Numazaki Networks of Taiwanese Big Business, Modern China 12, no.44 (Aug 2016): 487–534.https://doi.org/10.1177/009770048601200403Rita S. Gallin Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law: Intergenerational relations within the Chinese family in Taiwan, Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 1, no.11 (Jan 1986): 31–49.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116017