Inheritor of Hotan herbal tea making technique in China's Xinjiang

2025-09-22 09:46:55

Metkasim Manglik prepares herbal tea for a customer at his herbal tea shop in Qira County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 6, 2025.

Hotan herbal tea has a long history and drinking tea has become an essential part of people's daily life here. It is made from more than 30 ingredients such as cloves, goji berries, ginger, dried tangerine peel, and roses, which are smashed before brewing. In 2021, the technique of making Hotan herbal tea was listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage.

Metkasim Manglik, one of the inheritors of Hotan herbal tea making, comes from a family that has been producing the tea since his grandfather. Starting at the age of 15, Metkasim began assisting his father in his family's business. Later, he studied at a local medical school and graduated in 2008. In 2019, Metkasim established his own company and created a product brand, categorizing and packaging Hotan herbal tea based on its health benefits.

As an inheritor of the Hotan herbal tea making technique, Metkasim has had opportunities to participate in exhibitions and exchange programs in other regions. In places like east China's Anhui Province and southwest China's Sichuan Province, he has introduced his hometown's tea, receiving warm responses and even attracting interest from international visitors. The diverse local products and modern tea processing he encountered have given him more inspirations. "I'm excited that our Hotan herbal tea is gaining recognition, which motivates me even more to provide more tailored products for the customers," said Metkasim.

Metkasim Manglik pours ground herbal materials out of a pot before packing it for a customer at his herbal tea shop in Qira County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Metkasim Manglik smashes herbal materials for making herbal tea at his herbal tea shop in Qira County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

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