Meet the appointment of tea: Chinese Keemun Tea enters British market

Originating from China, tea is now the most popular beverage loved and enjoyed by people around the world. Out of the six basic types of tea in China, black tea is no doubt the most widely known and accepted type.

Qimen black tea, known in the UK as Keemun tea, originated from Qimen County in the city of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province, and has made its way into the UK, where tea has also been part of the daily life for centuries.

The Qimen Black Tea Industry Group has signed a contract authorizing its high-end productions to go on sale at the Buxton Crescent Hotel in Derbyshire. It is the second store for the tea brand after it was first launched in the UK in Bristol.

The deal was based on two other agreements made by the Huangshan City and the county of Derbyshire.

At the promotion event for Huangshan tourism and tea culture held in Buxton, Derbyshire, the Huangshan Culture and Tourism Bureau signed contracts with Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, with more cooperation in culture and tourism expected to bring the two cities even closer.

Ye Jianqiang, head of the Publicity Department of Huangshan City, delivered a speech, kicking off the event while at the same time introducing the city of Huangshan to the British representatives.

Ye said that since 2017 Huangshan and Derbyshire have been maintaining close contact, with both sides making mutual visits. He also sent out invitations for more people in the UK to visit Huangshan.

Sir Richard FitzHerbert, chair of Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, said that the two sides getting together for friendship while enjoying a cup of Keemun tea was refreshing.

"In this busy world that we are living in, you need some great relaxation, and you certainly need some of that tea as well," he said. Receiving invitations to traveling to China, he said he is always jealous of his son who visited China 10 years ago, and he is willing to make a visit in the future by himself as well.

Joanne Dilly, director of Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, has already made two visits to China, during which she was impressed by the "breathtaking landscape" as well as the Hui Opera.

She told CGTN: "I think that the friendships working so well because w've got so many things that resonate. The Peak District National Park has beautiful landscapes, beautiful outdoors destinations for walking, cycling and getting closer to nature. My experience of Huangshan is very similar to that. The Yellow Mountain area was breathtakingly beautiful. There's also those culture relationship as well. I was lucky enough to visit the Hui Opera. We'd love to do more around the theatre."

Lewis Howe, director of sales for Buxton Crescent Hotel, said that tea has become a bridge that brings the two cultures together.

"The opportunities of finding small things we can all engage to and enjoy together goes a lot further than any politics or anything else," said Howe.

"Sitting down for socializing in a beautiful place like the present can only do good things to us all," he said.

Huangshan is home to over 50,000 hectares of tea plantations, with over 1,200 tea producing companies.

Tea has always been an important item for trade between countries. The Great Tea Route spans China, Mongolia and Russia and used to serve as an important route for trade after the decline of the ancient silk road.