ChaPanda: New Tea Beverage Ingredients Empower Rural Revitalization.

From Farm to Cup: How Cha Panda Empowers Rural Communities Across China

Cha Panda carefully selects the finest local ingredients from across China, turning them into the delicious drinks its customers love. But beyond serving city consumers, Cha Panda’s mission has a more profound impact: its sourcìng model directly supports rural farmers and contributes to community development.

By partnering with local agriculture, Cha Panda helps bring prosperity to the countryside. Year-round, the brand’s sourcìng team travels to different regions to find the best seasonal ingredients, building a powerful link between the farm and the cup.

Caption: Cha Panda’s fresh “Juicy Orange Blast,” made with seasonally-sourced fruit.

A Journey Through the Four Seasons of Sourcìng

Spring: A New Future for an Ancient Grain

In spring, we find Cha Panda in Guangdong province, home to a rare, wild grain called ‘Hemi' rice. The brand discovered its unique, natural aroma was perfect for its new rice mochi drinks.

This grain is harvested only once a year and yields much less than common rice, so it was traditionally used only for making wine. By creating a new use for it in their drinks, Cha Panda opened up a new market for the farmers and helped increase their income.

Summer: Building “Jasmine Houses" in Guangxi

Hengzhou, Guangxi, is the jasmine capital of the world, producing 60% of the world's supply. This is where Cha Panda sources the jasmine for its signature tea bases. The brand partners with a master tea producer, "Zhang Yiyuan," whose traditional techniques are recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The tea leaves must go through a delicate scenting process five times to achieve their rich, unique fragrance. This demand for quality has led to the creation of a nearly 1,000-acre jasmine tea park and factory, creating jobs and encouraging organic farming. Last year, Cha Panda's orders boosted the local economy significantly. "A few years ago, we sold jasmine for 7-8 RMB per pound. Now, we get more than double that," said a local official. "Many families have built new homes with their income. We call them the ‘Jasmine Houses.’"

Caption: The jasmine fields in Hengzhou, where Cha Panda sources a key ingredient for its tea base.

Fall: Removing Barriers for Apple Farmers

In the fall, Cha Panda sources apples from the high mountains of Sichuan and Yunnan. Farmers here are often small growers who once had to walk for a full day just to reach a town to sell their fruit.

Cha Panda changed that. By setting up a direct purchasing point in the region, the company provides a reliable market, saves farmers valuable time, and helps standardise production for a higher-quality final product.

Winter: Saving the Strawberry Harvest

Winter brings sweet, fragrant strawberries from Sichuan. But these delicious berries are delicate and must be sold fast. Cha Panda works with local cooperatives to purchase strawberries that meet strict standards for size and sweetness. The fruit is quickly transported to its regional warehouse and delivered to stores, helping farmers sell their harvest without worrying about spoilage.

A Partnership for Quality and Growth

In 2021 alone, Cha Panda purchased over 80,000 tons of agricultural products directly from farms. It plans to nearly double its sourcìng of fruit and tea this year.

This consistent demand gives farmers stability and encourages them to grow higher-quality produce. Through its work, Cha Panda brings once-hidden local treasures from the mountains and fields of China into the hands of customers, creating a win-win partnership that empowers farmers and enriches rural communities.