Tea Picking at Wenshan Farm in Xindian

April 14, 2012 — Wenshan Farm in Xindian: Tea Picking, Painting, and Fireflies, Part 1

That afternoon, I took Lisa and Belle to scout Wenshan Farm as a possible destination for next semester’s class outing. The firefly season happened to have started early, so we were lucky enough to take the kids into the farm’s “firefly cave” and see those long-missed little lights up close, all within easy reach of the city ^.^

Lisa and Belle outdoors at Wenshan Farm — An afternoon near the city came with the surprise of an early firefly season.

Wenshan Farm was along Xinwu Road on the way from Xindian toward Wulai, with signs near the turnoff. At the innermost parking area, the first thing we saw was a lush green tea field.

Green tea field near the parking area at Wenshan Farm — A lush tea field greeted us beside the parking area.

Our guide told us that the farm covered 22 hectares—roughly the size of 22 soccer fields. There was plenty of room for the kids to run around, and Belle somehow ended up looking as though she had grown a tail. Quite the scene XD

Belle playing at the farm with something behind her resembling a tail — Belle somehow acquired a scene-stealing “tail” XD

Children playing in the spacious grounds of Wenshan Farm — The roomy grounds gave the kids plenty of space to run.

Across the suspension bridge was another broad lawn where visitors could fly kites or toss a Frisbee. Flowers and greenery filled the farm, making the whole place feel wonderfully relaxing ^.^

Large lawn beside the suspension bridge at Wenshan Farm — Across the bridge was a lawn for kites and Frisbees.

That afternoon, Deputy Director Lin led our walk-in group on a tea-picking session. Before setting off, he introduced the equipment, showed us how to tie the bamboo baskets around our waists, and explained the safety points to the children.

A guide explaining the tea-picking activity to visitors — Deputy Director Lin introduced the afternoon tea-picking session.

With our baskets secured and instructions complete, off we went~~

Visitors wearing bamboo baskets and walking toward the tea fields — Baskets ready—the tea-picking group set off.

Tea-picking group walking through Wenshan Farm — Following the farm path toward the afternoon’s picking field.

Our guide joked that the grounds were “not very big”—only 55,000 ping, that was all—so it was easy to run into other tour groups along the way ~.~'". After a short walk, we reached the field where we would be picking tea that afternoon.

Tea field used for the picking activity at Wenshan Farm — We arrived at the field chosen for the afternoon’s picking.

Before anyone started, we learned how to identify the tender shoots to pick. It was the familiar “one bud, two leaves”: gently hold the shoot between the pads of the thumb and index finger, then lift it upward.

A tender tea shoot consisting of one bud and two leaves — The target was the familiar “one bud, two leaves.”

We were told not to cut with our fingernails or twist the stem. Following the demonstrated technique kept the freshly picked leaves from being damaged. Lesson over—time to get picking ^.^

Visitors picking tea in a field at Wenshan Farm — Lesson over, everyone stepped into the field to start picking.

As we worked, something suddenly appeared among the tea leaves.

Huh…what was that?!

Ladybug resting on a tea leaf — A cute little ladybug appeared among the tea leaves ^.^

Ha—a cute little ladybug ^.^ All sorts of insects could be spotted moving among the leaves, adding unexpected discoveries to our tea-picking session.

Before long, the whistle sounded: “Beep..beep...time’s up...”

Child still in the tea field as the picking session ends — The whistle sounded: tea-picking time was up.

What~~? I’m not finished yet… Just a few more leaves ^.

When the picking session ended, we returned to where we had started for an introduction to tea processing. First came the baskets and equipment, then the freshly picked leaves were left to rest before moving through the next stages.

Visitors gathered for an introduction to tea processing — Back at the starting point, we moved on to the tea-making demonstration.

During the demonstration, the leaves were then heated in a machine. How could anyone tell when they were ready? That depended on an experienced tea maker reaching in, turning the leaves, and judging their texture by touch.

Tea leaves being heated inside a processing machine — The leaves were heated in a machine and judged by an experienced hand.

My guess is that those masters had all perfected their Iron Palm technique ~.~'"

Next, the heated leaves went into a rolling machine. Depending on the tea being made, they might be returned to the previous machine for another round of processing after rolling.

Tea-rolling machine used during the processing demonstration — After heating, the leaves went into the rolling machine.

As for an inexperienced apprentice, the legendary specialty at this stage would probably be…bak kut teh—“meat-bone tea” ~.~'"

All right, that was the end of our quick introduction to tea making. Everyone was free to relax for a while before the main event of the day: our firefly walk.

The painting activity and nighttime visit to the firefly cave would make this post far too long, so they had to wait for another installment .

Stay tuned for “Wenshan Farm in Xindian: Tea Picking, Painting, and Fireflies, Part 2—A Night by the Firefly River~~”