At a ceremony titled "Herbal Tea Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage", it was learned that herbal tea companies will adopt uniform methods of growing Chinese medical herbs, the raw materials used to make herbal teas. And, that Guangzhou will establish an herbal tea testing center, which is expected to be completed in January, 2007.

There are 21 herbal tea companies, 18 brands and 54 secret recipes recognized as backbone brands and secret recipes.

The Guangdong Provincial Leader's Group for Food Culture Heritage Recognition will recognize herbal tea companies through a system of public voting. From now on, except for the 21 recognized herbal tea companies, including Denglao, Wanglaiji, and Xiangxue, companies with a history of less than 80 years that lack historical and culturally significant recipes, or that produce herbal tea that fails to conform to the procedures may be declared illegal. Relevant compulsory national criteria are also expected to be issued this year.

According to Zhang Junxiu, Chairman of the Guangdong Food Profession Union, depressed areas in Guangdong Province will establish uniform herbal tea raw material industrial parks. In eight months time, the 21 companies will invest RMB 10 million to build the Monomer Southern Herbal Tea Testing Center, aimed at protecting the genetic quality of herbal tea materials.

Yesterday, the principal of Denglao Herbal Tea Company said that since its launch on the market in 2003, Denglao herbal tea had been taking responsibility for developing a Chinese medical philosophy. The recognition of herbal tea as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the State Council is a big step forward for herbal tea culture protection and a small step forward for Chinese medical culture.

Editor: Yan