Research Progress on Tea Origin Tracing in Fujian

Being ranked first in production and revenue for consecutive years in the country, Fujian tea industry is famed for its nine specialty teas, such as Wuyi Rock Tea, Anxi Tieguanyin, and Fuding White Tea. To properly protect the intellectual properties from counterfeiting, it has become of great importance to maintain a secure means for origin tracing. The applicable technology can not only ensure the authenticity of the products for the consumers but bring about market stability and healthy business development for the industry. This article comprehensively reviews studies in the arena in Fujian with summarized descriptions of the various applications of chromatographic, spectroscopic, stable isotope and elemental, and DNA-based technologies. The instrumental measurements are combined with advanced machine learning to construct models that are capable of accurately identifying and discriminating origin of a product as well as digitally tracing the locality with the one-product-one-code and QR coding system. The prospective advantages and remaining challenges in implementing the program are discussed. As indicated by the published studies, Fujian has established an 80.4%-100% accurate system using state-of-the-art technologies and multi-dimensional analyses. To help further refine and promote the application in the nation, the establishments of a station for comprehensive demonstration, “chemical characteristics” linked with “digital labels” to enhance the traceability level in Fujian, and finalized element/component/isotope standards would be highly recommended.