Yi Yanhua
The Village Auntie: A Legend Steeped in Liubao Tea
Nestled among the scenic landscapes of Liubao Town 六堡镇, Cangwu County 苍梧县, Guangxi, is a small village named Shouxi 首溪村. This is where Yi Yanhua, a legendary figure in the tea world, was nurtured. Known affectionately as the ‘Village Auntie 村姑’ by the locals, she is not only a guardian of the Liubao tea-making tradition but also a masterful Chinese tea craftsman whose resilience and wisdom flourish in the aroma of tea.
The wonderful story of Yi Yanhua begins in a timeless tea garden. Born into a family that has lived off tea for generations, the garden was her childhood cradle, and the fragrance of tea was her constant companion. During the 1960s and 1970s, the glory of Liubao tea faced a setback. Due to export barriers, the tea, once a popular export to Southeast Asia, became unsalable, leading many tea farmers to chop down their tea trees and replace them with other cash crops. In those times, the tea garden became a forgotten corner, yet amidst this difficult period, Yi Yanhua’s father steadfastly guarded an old tea garden, leaving an indelible mark on her heart.
From the tender age of six, Yi Yanhua followed her parents through the tea garden, learning how to gently pluck the tender buds and skillfully twist the leaves. During the changing seasons, she learned tenderness from the spring tea’s verdant green, passion from the summer tea’s intensity, elegance from the autumn tea’s fragrance, and tenacity from the winter tea’s sweetness. The teachings of growth, perseverance, and hope, like spring rain, silently nourished her soul.
Filled with dreams for the future, in 2006 Yi Yanhua left her hometown for Wuzhou City 梧州市, where she worked at a tea house as a salesperson and tea artist. After two years of honing her skills, her dream solidified—she would open her own shop and share the fragrance of Liubao tea with even more people.
The path to entrepreneurship was not smooth, but Yi Yanhua overcame each hurdle with the tenacity and wisdom unique to women. She personally planted, processed, and sold tea, pouring her heart into every step. Her philosophy that “the character of tea reflects the character of the person” won consumer trust, and her commitment to “natural, pure, and authentic” tea established the “Village Auntie” brand as a rising star in the Liubao tea industry.
As the “Village Auntie” brand’s reputation spread, orders poured in. Yi Yanhua never lost sight of her original intentions. She founded a tea cooperative, leading over 100 households in organic farming practices, manual weeding, physical pest control, and carbon firing to ensure the purity of each leaf. Under her guidance, the cooperative’s tea farmers found a path to prosperity.
Yi Yanhua is not only a skilled tea maker but also a cultural ambassador. She understands that the value of Liubao tea lies not only in its taste but also in its profound cultural heritage. With her expertise, she has made the traditional tea more accessible and beloved to many.
Her love for her hometown shines not only in her dedication to tea but also in her contributions to its development. She supports university students, builds bridges, basketball courts, and village parks. Each donation is a testament to her deep affection and gratitude to her community.
Yi Yanhua’s story is like a carefully brewed cup of Liubao tea, fragrant and lingering. With her actions, she exemplifies the power of perseverance and passion. Her tale, carried on the scent of tea, inspires generation after generation of tea artisans to continue writing the glorious chapter of Liubao tea.