A employee works at Zhaoliqiao Tea Factory in Chibi, Central China's Hubei province, on November 29, 2016. [Photo by Zhu Lingqing/chinadaily.com.cn]

Keep innovating to grasp the best times

Since 1988, Gan has started writing down the rules in tea production techniques, something his predecessors had never done.

"In the past, masters could only pass their techniques to us through word of mouth. But I believe times are always changing and it is crucial to meet the requirements of consumers at the new time," he said.

Gan has been involved in the national tea standardization work for 28 years and believes it is better for his company to lead the standard rather than chase the standard.