Rich and Distinctive Flavor of Yen Thuy Green Tea

Boasting a vast raw material area linked with local farmers, a closed-loop production process, a distinctive rich flavor, and modern packaging meeting strict food safety standards, Yen Thuy Green Tea—produced by 2-9 Hoa Binh Co., Ltd. (Yen Thuy Commune)—has earned a 4-star OCOP certification.

Carefully selected fresh tea buds from the raw material region determine the quality of Yen Thuy Green Tea.

Local residents share that tea plants have been tied to hill slopes and community livelihoods for nearly 50 years. However, for a long time, local tea production remained fragmented, with farmers mainly selling raw, unprocessed tea at low economic value. Facing this reality, 2-9 Hoa Binh Co., Ltd. made a strategic shift, focusing on deep processing and building Yen Thuy Green Tea into a flagship brand.

According to Ms. Dao Thi Thanh Thao, Deputy Director in charge of 2-9 Hoa Binh Co., Ltd., the key to Yen Thuy Green Tea’s distinctiveness lies in a strict 8-step closed-loop production process. To retain the essence of Ancestral Land tea buds, the enterprise invested in a modern production line with a capacity of approximately 0.2 tons of product per hour. This process inherits traditional roasting experience while introducing precise scientific and technical intervention into every minute stage.

Freshly picked tea buds are immediately fed into high-temperature pan-firing equipment to kill enzymes, maintained stably around 300 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes. This represents the most critical step to deactivate enzymes that cause chemical fermentation, helping tea leaves retain their vibrant green color and natural fresh aroma. After rapid cooling, the tea undergoes a rolling process lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. Mechanical rolling breaks leaf cells to release juices, creating tight curls in the leaves and ensuring a full-bodied flavor when brewed.

The golden secret lies in the aroma-releasing roasting stage. After being dried above 90%, the tea undergoes heat processing at 220-350 degrees for 40 minutes. Under precise temperatures, essential oils within the tea awaken, imparting a characteristic young green-rice aroma, a bright golden liquor, and a gentle astringency followed by a deep, sweet finish.

Alongside manufacturing, the company prioritizes packaging and presentation. Product lines are vacuum-sealed in various specifications ranging from 10g, 100g, to 0.5–1kg boxes with a 12-month shelf life. Elegant octagonal and square gift boxes make Yen Thuy Green Tea a suitable gift choice for mid-range and high-end segments.

Currently, the unit operates a 30-hectare VietGAP-certified tea production area. Implementing safe farming standards and minimizing chemical pesticides protects the environment while enabling products to satisfy stringent requirements for entry into supermarket chains and clean food stores.

The value-chain linkage between the enterprise and local farmers has transformed production mindsets. Approximately 200 local workers currently hold land contracts and work regularly for the company with stable incomes. Mechanization and modern farming techniques have raised revenue per hectare from 70 million VND to nearly 200 million VND/ha, averaging 120 million VND/ha.

Ms. Dao Thi Thanh Thao affirmed that breakthroughs in quality earned the product well-deserved honors. In 2024, Yen Thuy Green Tea achieved a 4-star OCOP certification and was recognized as a typical provincial rural industrial product. This certification serves as a passport helping the brand reach major domestic markets such as Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Khanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City. Looking ahead, the company aims to expand raw material areas in neighboring communes, reinforce domestic channels via traditional and e-commerce networks, and actively participate in international trade promotion targeting export markets.

Bui Minh