If you asked your friends which is their favorite green tea
from China, odds are you would hear ‘Dragon Well’ aka ‘Long Jing. Indeed Dragon
Well is the most well-known green tea from China, both within the mainland and
overseas. It has been a favorite of Chinese leaders from Emperor Qian Long of
the Qing Dynasty to Chairman Mao and his successor Zhou En Lai.
from China, odds are you would hear ‘Dragon Well’ aka ‘Long Jing. Indeed Dragon
Well is the most well-known green tea from China, both within the mainland and
overseas. It has been a favorite of Chinese leaders from Emperor Qian Long of
the Qing Dynasty to Chairman Mao and his successor Zhou En Lai.
Chinese green teas don’t start and end with Dragon Well
though- here are 4 of the ‘other guys’ that you shouldn’t sleep on:
though- here are 4 of the ‘other guys’ that you shouldn’t sleep on:
Bi Luo Chun or Green
Spires Spring
Spires Spring
Probably the second best known of all Chinese green teas-
albeit by a mile- Bi Luo Chun is beloved for by tea lovers in China for its
fruity nuances and sweet aftertaste.
albeit by a mile- Bi Luo Chun is beloved for by tea lovers in China for its
fruity nuances and sweet aftertaste.
As the popular story goes, Bi Luo Chun was originally known
as ‘The Frightening Fragrance’ but Emperor Qian Long upon tasting it declared
that it was too macabre a name for such an exquisite tea. Thereafter he named
it Bi Luo Chun for the green color, spiral shapes and the refreshing qualities
of spring.
as ‘The Frightening Fragrance’ but Emperor Qian Long upon tasting it declared
that it was too macabre a name for such an exquisite tea. Thereafter he named
it Bi Luo Chun for the green color, spiral shapes and the refreshing qualities
of spring.
Huangshan Maofeng or
Huangshan Furry Peak
Huangshan Furry Peak
The summit of Huangshan or Yellow Mountain as it is
translated literally is perpetually shrouded in mist creating an ideal harvest
ground for the tea plant. Huangshan had been well-known for its tea since mid
of Ming Dynasty but the incarnation of what is commonly known today as
Huangshan Maofeng is commonly traced to the late 18th century.
translated literally is perpetually shrouded in mist creating an ideal harvest
ground for the tea plant. Huangshan had been well-known for its tea since mid
of Ming Dynasty but the incarnation of what is commonly known today as
Huangshan Maofeng is commonly traced to the late 18th century.
Huangshan Maofeng literally translated means ‘furry peak’.
It gets its name from the white downy ‘fur’ that is found on its leaves and the
‘peak’ like edge of its buds.
It gets its name from the white downy ‘fur’ that is found on its leaves and the
‘peak’ like edge of its buds.
Taiping Houkui or
Taiping Monkey Stalwart
Taiping Monkey Stalwart
In terms of appearance, Taiping Houkui is one of the most
distinctive Chinese green tea around with its large flat dry leaves spanning
5-7 cm in length.
distinctive Chinese green tea around with its large flat dry leaves spanning
5-7 cm in length.
Taiping Houkui is sometimes translated as Peaceful Monkey
King but though the words Taiping can be translated into peace or peaceful, in
this context it refers or rather referred to the county formerly known as
Taiping (which since 1987 was incorporated in Huangshan County) and hence like
all geographical names should appear in its original form.
King but though the words Taiping can be translated into peace or peaceful, in
this context it refers or rather referred to the county formerly known as
Taiping (which since 1987 was incorporated in Huangshan County) and hence like
all geographical names should appear in its original form.
As for the monkey part, well the original birth place was
Houkeng which is literally translated as Monkey Pit so that’s how it started.
Houkeng which is literally translated as Monkey Pit so that’s how it started.
Xinyang Maojian or
Xinyang Furry Tips
Xinyang Furry Tips
It made the news
for the wrong reason in April 2012 with a specific type of Xinyang Maojian
costing as much as US$4,253 per 100g. Of course there are certain reasons for
it (rare specific type, marketing etc.), for most part Xinyang Maojian is still
an affordable everyday selection.
for the wrong reason in April 2012 with a specific type of Xinyang Maojian
costing as much as US$4,253 per 100g. Of course there are certain reasons for
it (rare specific type, marketing etc.), for most part Xinyang Maojian is still
an affordable everyday selection.
Like Huangshan Maofeng, Xinyang Maojian gets its name from
the white downy fur and its ‘tippy’ shape. Its chest nut flavor and sweet
aftertaste is a perfect complete to its exquisite looking exterior.
the white downy fur and its ‘tippy’ shape. Its chest nut flavor and sweet
aftertaste is a perfect complete to its exquisite looking exterior.
There are many other varieties of that simply can’t be
covered by a single post- in fact by a recent estimate there are more than 700
varieties of Chinese green tea. Hope to pique your interest and venture into
the rewarding world of green tea today.
covered by a single post- in fact by a recent estimate there are more than 700
varieties of Chinese green tea. Hope to pique your interest and venture into
the rewarding world of green tea today.
*Thank you Derek for our first lovely guest post. Be sure to check out his online tea shop focusing on ‘un-flavoured’ loose leaf tea from China and Taiwan. Peony Tea S for more info!