The Ancient Market at the Heart of Thai Nguyen: A 30-Year-Old Haven for Connoisseurs Seeking a Specialty Shop’s Unique Offerings.

While tea from various regions is traded here, the most favored variety remains Tan Cuong tea, with prices ranging from VND 150,000 to several million dong per kilogram. On busy days, businesses can sell up to a hundred kilograms of tea. Common tea products are priced at around VND 300,000/kg, catering to a wide range of consumers.

What sets Phuc Xuan Tea Market apart is not only its 30-year history but also its unique operating frequency, hosting only 12 main sessions per month. These sessions take place exclusively in the morning, starting at 7 AM and concluding at noon.

Located centrally in Phuc Xuan, the market spans over 200 square meters, accommodating nearly 100 regular trading households. To facilitate quality checks, tables, chairs, teapots, and hot water are always at the ready for customers.

There are various methods for testing tea, such as the distinctive ‘moc cau’ tea from Tan Cuong, known for its small, curved leaves resembling a fishhook. To ascertain the tea’s authenticity, buyers can scoop a handful, turn their hand upside down, and observe if the leaves remain interconnected without falling, indicating superior quality.

Connoisseurs believe that exceptional tea must possess both “form” and “aroma,” discernible only through direct brewing and tasting. By participating in the market, tea enthusiasts gain opportunities to interact and experience a diverse range of tea products. Premium tea, when brewed, yields a clear, greenish-yellow liquor, offering an initial mild bitterness that transforms into a lingering sweetness.

Those well-versed in tea often have their unique testing methods. After selecting a desirable tea sample, they place a pinch of tea leaves into a cup, rinse it with hot water, and then refill the cup with boiling water. They then cover it with another cup for about 30 seconds. Afterward, they carefully pour the tea back and forth between the cups to observe the color, smell the aroma, taste the flavor, and examine the shape of the tea leaves to assess the quality of the tea buds.

This testing method also helps determine the tea’s origin and check for any artificial colorants by observing the color of the liquor. For instance, Tan Cuong tea is characterized by its distinct corn aroma and mild bitterness, whereas Dong Hy tea exhibits a slightly astringent taste.

Over the years, Phuc Xuan Tea Market has become a familiar destination for tea aficionados and traders alike. Despite its modest size, the market holds numerous captivating stories about Thai Nguyen’s renowned agricultural product.

As a traditional market famous for tea trading, each market day witnesses the consumption of nearly 1.5 tons of tea. Beyond facilitating sales, Phuc Xuan Tea Market plays a pivotal role in promoting the Thai Nguyen tea brand, contributing significantly to the region’s economic development.