Bendi Stories | Dragon Boat Festival tea in Songyang, Zhejiang

We are thrilled to present our newest episode of our Bendi Stories series, where we journeyed to Songyang, Zhejiang to meet a local herbal shop owner, Ye Jinping. 

Beyond the glitz of towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, beyond the allure of traditional Chinese architecture and breathtaking landscapes, lies a rich fabric of human narratives. Bendi 本地, meaning "local" in Chinese, inspired the creation of Bendi Stories, our video series exploring the soul of China through the lens of its people, their untold stories, aspirations, challenges, and everyday lives, offering a glimpse into the authentic human experiences that define our China, the real China.

On the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the annual Dragon Boat Festival springs to life across China. In Songyang, Zhejiang Province, preparations for the festival begin over a month in advance. Locals like Ye Jinping start their days rising with the sun in order to ascend the mountains where the freshest aromatic herbs can be found. 

Ye Jinping gathering herbs in the mountains

These herbs are destined for Duanwu tea, or “Dragon Boat Festival tea,” a local specialty renowned not only for its refreshing properties but also for its distinctive flavor that defines Songyang's festivities. 

Unlike conventional teas crafted solely from tea leaves, Dragon Boat Festival tea is a blend of botanical herbs meticulously selected at perfect ripeness, prized for their cooling and digestive benefits. This infusion complements the hot summer days and the hearty indulgence of zongzi, the beloved bamboo-leaf wrapped rice dumplings which are savored by families during the festival.  

Beyond its flavor and refreshment, the drink is said to have medicinal benefits, helping to prevent summer illnesses such as dehydration and heatstroke. It also symbolizes vitality and protection against malevolent forces. During the Dragon Boat Festival, these beliefs are further echoed through centuries-old customs, such as wearing perfume pouches filled with aromatic herbs to ward off evil spirits and hanging calamus on doors to promote health within households. 

Ye Jinping in his workshop

At Ye Jinping’s herbal shop, the harvested herbs undergo a careful process. They are cleaned, delicately cut, and sun-dried to preserve their natural essence and flavors. Expertly blended, these herbs yield teas that honor local treasured recipes and embody Songyang's rich biodiversity. Because of the mountains’ bountiful resources, no two blends of Dragon Boat Festival tea are the same. 

Ye Jinping carefully cutting freshly harvested herbs

As Songyang's special tisane continues to enrich the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations, it preserves a cultural heritage that spans generations, offering a taste of tradition and renewal in every sip. 

By Gabrielle Keepfer