The festival of Qingming (Chingming) is a 2,500 year old tradition in which people visit the burial sites of their ancestors to pay respect. It is significant in Chinese tea culture because it serves as a demarcation between a distinct pre-Qingming plucking period and the subsequent plucking period occurring after the festival date (usually around April 5). Pre-Qingming teas are prized for their delicacy and subtle, fresh nuances.
