Father of the 'Mac dao ky' tea shares about his 25 million VND product

Mr. Tung, originally from Nghia Lo town, Yen Bai province, has been closely associated with the ancient Shan Tuyet tea region of Suoi Giang commune, Van Chan district for nearly 30 years. Over the course of three decades of engagement with the local community and tirelessly exploring development options for the local tea plant, he has gained a profound understanding of the culture, customs, and traditional tea profession of the people.

As the owner of the "5 Extremes" Ancient Tea Cooperative in Suoi Giang commune, Mr. Tung shared that when he first arrived in this land, the landscape consisted primarily of hills amidst the mist-covered mountain peaks. The ancient Shan Tuyet tea forest in Suoi Giang commune, with a lengthy lifespan, produces tea plants of undeniable quality. However, the nurturing, harvesting, preservation, and processing methods employed by the local community are limited. Most notably, when the tea factory in Suoi Giang commune operated inefficiently between 2006 and 2007, farmers faced difficulties in selling their harvested tea products, and the community encountered numerous challenges.

Determined to help the local residents and explore new technologies to elevate the value of Suoi Giang's ancient tea, Mr. Tung decided to travel and study about the tea profession in China in 2006, with goal of finding a special formula for the Shan Tuyet tea. Accordingly, a successful formula can enable local residents to harvest and sell fresh tea buds, thereby establishing credibility and contributing to the protection and development of these valuable tea plants.

After over one month of studying abroad, Mr. Tung returned, with newfound dedication to the tea profession. However, he was initially faced with a multitude of challenges due to his unrefined techniques and use of manual tools, and many batches of tea were either burnt or damaged.

As a result, valuable lessons have been learned after numerous trials and errors. Over time, Mr. Tung enhanced his skills and became adept at assessing the environment's humidity and the water content within tea buds to adjust temperatures accordingly. He claimed that he could "commune with the fire" to identify when to eliminate microbes, mark, or collect the fragrance. The spring tea crop requires harvesting before the Qingming Festival and the second crop must be harvested between late autumn and early winter. During these harvesting period, the tea buds are highly delicate and valuable.

Mr. Tung also established the "5 Extremes" Ancient Tea Cooperative to collaborate with local households in building a raw material area, promoting knowledge and information, and elevating the value of Suoi Giang tea.

Additionally, Mr. Tung's "5 Extremes" Ancient Tea Cooperative has invested in a modern machinery system and high technology, thereby preserving the original nutrients and flavors of fresh tea buds. Following a microbial elimination process, the tea is dried in a cold storage at negative 30 degrees Celsius to gradually remove water. When the tea reaches 80% dryness, it is stored at room temperature to complete the dehydration process.

The resulting product is subsequently further preserved in cold storage to maintain its excellent quality and distinct flavor over an extended period of time. Mr. Tung explained that this treasured flavor provides a sensation similar to chewing on a freshly picked tea bud.

The "5 Extremes" Ancient Tea Cooperative plays a crucial role in affirming the Suoi Giang tea brand: "Extreme Hardship" represents the toil and hardship endured by both the tea harvesters and processors; "Extreme Deliciousness" reflects the premium quality of Suoi Giang ancient tea; "Extreme Cleanliness" is achieved by using raw materials from forests surrounded by mist and snow, without the use of chemicals; "Extreme Beauty" pertains to the visually appealing design; "Extreme Rarity" refers to the limited production volume.

The "5 Extremes" Ancient Tea Cooperative has signed multiple off-take contracts for fresh tea buds with clean raw material areas and households to ensure high-quality standards in its operation. Consequently, the Cooperative aims to produce premium tea varieties to enhance the status and value of Suoi Giang tea.

Regarding future plans, Mr. Tung is fostering the idea of a premium tea called "Mac dao ky". This type of tea requires harvesting during moonlit nights, from east-facing branches where the tea buds receive the first sunlight of the day. After harvesting, the tea buds must be immediately processed during the night to preserve the essence of Suoi Giang ancient tea. The estimated price for this product is 25 million Vietnamese dong per kilogram.

The establishment of the "5 Extremes" Ancient Tea Cooperative has contributed to solving local employment issues, sustainably developing the Shan Tuyet tea region, and facilitating product consumption for the local community.

Thanks to the enhanced brand reputation, the price of local tea buds has significantly increased. Prices for the "1 bud 2 leaves" tea variety range from 11,000 to 12,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram at its lowest and 25,000 to 30,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram at its highest. On the other hand, the "1 bud 1 leaf" tea variety is purchased at 50,000 to 60,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram, whereas the "young bud" tea variety is purchased at 250,000 to 270,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram.

As a result, the Mong people in Suoi Giang are increasingly conscious of the importance of nurturing and protecting the valuable ancient Shan Tuyet tea plants.

With the goal of introducing and promoting the Shan Tuyet tea from Suoi Giang commune to consumers nationwide, the "5 Extremes" Ancient Tea Cooperative will proactively establish connections and expand the market within and outside the province to ensure stable outlets and increase annual income for the local community.

Additionally, the Cooperative plans to develop five-star-certified tea products, obtain ECOCERT certification, adhere to ORGANIC standards for European organic products, obtain geographical indications, and obtain production unit codes.