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Lai Chau geographical indication is protected for the following products: Green tea, Oolong tea, and Oriental Beauty tea. Among these, Green tea is the finished product processed from the raw material of one bud and two young leaves of ancient Shan tea varieties grown in the "Lai Chau" geographical area; Oolong tea is the finished product processed from the raw material of one bud and two young leaves of the Kim Tuyen tea variety grown in the "Lai Chau" geographical area; Oriental Beauty tea is the finished product processed from the raw material of one bud and two young leaves with green leafhopper bite marks, where the bud has turned yellowish, of the Kim Tuyen tea variety grown in the "Lai Chau" geographical area.  

Lai Chau Green tea has a natural fragrance, mild astringency, and a sweet aftertaste, with a glutamic acid content of ≥ 5.34 g/100g.  

 

Figure 1: Lai Chau Green tea 

Lai Chau Oolong tea has a strong gardenia floral aroma, a clean and lightly sweet taste, with a glutamic acid content of ≥ 4.24 g/100g.  

  

 

Figure 2: Lai Chau Oolong Tea 

Lai Chau Oriental Beauty tea has a strong roasted sugarcane and honey aroma, a smooth and non-astringent taste, with a glutamic acid content of ≥ 5.61 g/100g.  

  

 

Figure 3: Lai Chau Oriental Beauty tea 

  

The unique properties and quality of Lai Chau tea are attributed to the special natural conditions.  

The cultivation area for ancient Shan tea varieties includes Lai Chau city, Tam Duong district, Sin Ho district, Phong Tho district, Than Uyen district, and Tan Uyen district of Lai Chau province, with tea grown at elevations of 1,200-2,500 meters above sea level. The average daily temperature variation is 9.74°C, and the average annual rainfall is 2,118 mm/year. "Lai Chau Green tea," processed from the buds of ancient Shan tea, has distinct aroma, taste, and glutamic acid content compared to similar products due to the exceptional quality of the raw tea material. The high daily temperature variation in the geographical area stimulates the synthesis of amino acids, including glutamic acid. The high annual rainfall in the "Lai Chau" ancient Shan tea cultivation area, within the optimal range, results in greener and younger tea buds, which are richer in amino acids.  

The cultivation area for the Kim Tuyen tea variety includes Lai Chau city, Tam Duong district, Sin Ho district, Phong Tho district, Than Uyen district, and Tan Uyen district of Lai Chau province, with tea grown at elevations of 900-1,300 meters above sea level. The average daily temperature variation is 8.26°C, and the average annual rainfall is 2,484 mm/year. "Lai Chau Oolong tea" and "Lai Chau Oriental Beauty tea" processed from Kim Tuyen tea buds, have distinct aroma, taste, and glutamic acid content. The natural conditions of the geographical area, including daily temperature variation and rainfall, contribute to the uniqueness of Kim Tuyen tea buds. The high average daily temperature variation in the "Lai Chau" Kim Tuyen tea cultivation area results in higher total amino acid accumulation in the buds. The rainfall in the geographical area is suitable for Oolong-specialized tea varieties, particularly Kim Tuyen, helping maintain leaf moisture content and improving cell structure.  

Additionally, unique production techniques in selecting raw tea standards for processing green tea, Oolong tea, and Oriental Beauty Tea also contribute to the distinctive properties and quality of the products bearing the geographical indication.  

Source: Bảo hộ chỉ dẫn địa lý “Lai Châu” cho sản phẩm chè   

Translator: Nguyễn Hải Phong