Village hopes beautiful flowers can blossom into booming tea industry

Lou, who calls himself a "branding envoy" for Shanxi's herbal teas, said he is confident of the market potential of the tea products of Shanxi because they have a long history and many health benefits.

Herbal teas developed from ingredients like forsythia can help clear away heat and toxic substances. They are also good for sleep and digestion, said Wang Cheng, vice-governor of Shanxi who was also at the promotional fair.

Encouraged by this new industrial trend, Liu Junping in Caozhuanggou developed a two-hectare forsythia farm this year.

"I want to establish a base for forsythia production," Liu said. He added that his ambition is to develop a longer industrial chain for herbal tea production, tea culture and sightseeing.

Yang Hongping, a local agronomist and deputy chief of the county's committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultation Conference, is helping Liu realize his dreams.

Yang's jobs include teaching Liu all the skills and knowledge for domesticating and growing such wild herbs.

Yang said he is optimistic about the market potential of the forsythia industry.

"The prices of forsythia products have kept growing steadily in recent years," Yang said. He added that the small investment and low costs of operation as well as the preferential policies from the government will bring more benefits to growers.

Liu said his small farm is only of a trial nature this year. "Once the operation is successful, more farmers will be engaged in the industry," he said.

Wen Yuan and Niu Hui contributed to this story.