The delayed spring tea has not led to a sluggish tea market in Pingtan, Southeast China's Fujian province. Instead, the sale of tea has remained as hot as ever.

Spring tea is generally picked and processed from March to May every year. But the increasingly popular trend to give tea as a gift has kept the market demand high.

"Before, most people used to choose cigarettes as gifts," said Mr. Luo, a salesman at a local tea store, "but now more and more have begun buying tea."

The changing trend symbolizes the pursuit of a higher quality of life, commented Luo.

According to previous surveys, most Pingtan residents would select tea as a gift if the price ranged from 700-800 yuan ($113-$129). Some of them even buy tea gift boxes valued at more than 10,000 yuan each.

The price difference could be the quality of tea, or due simply to the ostentatious packaging, said insiders.

Besides gift giving, the cultivation of the tea ceremony has also enhanced the popularity of tea in Pingtan.

"Starting from 1994, a number of tea stores have sprung up in Pingtan, especially in the last five years," recalled Pingtan resident Mr. Lin. "People drink alcohol most of the time when they sit around for business talks. But now many of them prefer tea because it is not only good for health, but can also cultivate one's spirit."

"In recent years, Pingtan citizens have learned more about tea. They select tea based on their conditions and the different seasons," said Lin Yong, a PE teacher. "They have begun to discuss tea culture at parties."

The spring tea is expected to hit the market in late April at the earliest, depending on the weather, according to multiple tea storeowners.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Michael Thai