Du Chaonian · A 60-Year Legacy: The Legend of LiuPao Tea

Du Chaonian
A 60-Year Legacy: The Legend of LiuPao Tea

Du Chaonian, a pioneering figure in modern LiuPao tea craftsmanship, is celebrated as a master innovator and driving force behind Guangxi’s LiuPao tea industry. As one of the original developers of the groundbreaking "Du Chaonian Cold Fermentation Technique" and the high-aroma LiuPao tea process, he has dedicated over six decades to advancing tea production and technical research. Former Director of Guangxi Wuzhou Tea Factory and Senior Tea Engineering Expert of China, Mr. Du now serves as:

• Co-Founder of CHAONIAN LIUPAO TEA

• Chief Technology Officer of Guangxi Wu Tea Space Investment Management Co., Ltd.

• Lead Evaluation Expert at Wu Tea Selection Center

• Research Leader of the Guangxi LiuPao Tea Du Chaonian Precision Fermentation Laboratory

Career Milestones

• 1959–1963: Studied Tea Science at Guangxi Agricultural College

• 1963: Joined Guangxi Wuzhou Tea Factory

• 1965: Co-developed the Cold Water Pile-Fermentation Technique for LiuPao tea (team members: Yu Zongrong, Tong Hanwen, Zhong Mingjun, Du Chaonian)

• 1972: Hosted technical exchanges for Yunnan Tea Company delegates, including Wu Qiying, sharing LiuPao tea fermentation expertise

• 1974: Inspired Wu Qiying’s later innovation of Ripened Pu’er Tea Pile-Fermentation Technique

• 1980: Joined the Communist Party of China; attended Guangxi Party School (1974, 1978)

• 1981–1986: Director of Guangxi Wuzhou Tea Factory

• 1970–1986: Produced High-Aroma LiuPao Tea exclusively exported to Japan

• 1985–1986: Developed the first "Soil-Free Black Box" LiuPao Tea for Japanese markets

• 1986–1994: Director of Guangxi Guilin Tea Factory

• 1994: Accredited as Senior Tea Engineering Expert of China

• 1994–2020: Advised Guangxi tea factories and research institutes, refining production techniques

The Journey of a Tea Visionary

Roots: A Scholar’s Foundation

From a young age, Du Chaonian immersed himself in China’s profound tea culture. His formal training at Guangxi Agricultural College (1959–1963) laid the theoretical groundwork for his lifelong pursuit of perfecting LiuPao tea.

Innovation: Bridging Tradition and Modernity

At Wuzhou Tea Factory, Du spearheaded the transformation of LiuPao tea craftsmanship:

• Systematized traditional techniques into standardized protocols

• Transitioned manual processes to mechanized production

• Developed annual benchmarks for raw and export-grade LiuPao tea

Breakthrough: The Cold Fermentation Revolution

In the 1970s, Du’s team tackled a critical challenge: reducing the decade-long aging required to achieve LiuPao tea’s signature "Red, Rich, Aged, Mellow" profile. Inspired by a serendipitous discovery of aged tea in a Hong Kong cellar, they pioneered the Cold Water Pile-Fermentation Technique by optimizing:

• Pile height, temperature, and humidity controls

• Water ratios and timing
  This innovation slashed maturation timelines while delivering the depth of decades-old tea, marked by bright amber liquor, robust body, and betel nut aroma.

Global Impact: Defining a New Era

Du’s High-Aroma LiuPao Tea and "Soil-Free Black Box" series captivated Japanese markets in the 1980s–1990s, cementing LiuPao tea’s international appeal.

Mentorship: Igniting a Legacy

• 1972: Shared fermentation expertise with Yunnan’s Wu Qiying, directly influencing Pu’er tea’s modern evolution.

• Post-Retirement: Advised Guangxi tea enterprises and institutions, nurturing the next generation of artisans.

• 2021: Established the Guangxi LiuPao Tea Du Chaonian Precision Fermentation Laboratory with Guangxi Vocational College, training apprentices through a "Modern Mentorship" model to sustain LiuPao tea’s heritage.

A Living Legend
Du Chaonian’s six-decade odyssey—from perfecting fermentation science to mentoring future innovators—has redefined LiuPao tea’s identity. His work transcends tradition, bridging ancient wisdom with cutting-edge technology to shape a vibrant future for this storied Chinese tea.