A Guide to Popular Green Teas from China
China produces some of the freshest and most floral green teas in the world. This article explores some of the region’s most popular and well-known varieties.
Popular Chinese Green Teas
| Green Tea | Origin | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| West Lake Longjing | West Lake Scenic Area | Green color, strong flavor, pure taste, and distinctive shape |
| Biluochun | Lake Tai, Jiangsu | Famous royal tea also known as Dongting Biluochun |
| Lu’an Melon Seed | Lu’an | Straight, smooth leaves with persistent flavor and a clear appearance |
| Yellow Mountain Maofeng | Huangshan City, Anhui | Sharp white leaves and a refreshing orchid-like aroma |
| Guqing Green Tea | Nayong County, Guizhou | High-altitude cultivation and a distinctive flavor |
| Xinyang Maojian | Hunan Province | Thin, round, shiny leaves with white hairs and a strong flavor |
| Taiping Houkui | Anhui | Two straight leaves surrounding a large, white-haired bud |
| Lushan Yunwu | Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province | Strong leaves, lasting aroma, bright liquor, and a sweet aftertaste |
West Lake Longjing
West Lake Longjing has a long history and features a green color, strong flavor, pure taste, and beautiful shape. Often called the “queen of green tea,” it gained royal status during the Qing Dynasty. Farmers grow and harvest West Lake Longjing within the West Lake Scenic Area.
Biluochun
Biluochun originated near Lake Tai in Jiangsu and rose to popularity during the Ming Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty later granted it royal status. Its alternative name, “Dongting Biluochun,” reflects its geographic origin.
Lu’an Melon Seed (Pian Tea)
Lu’an Melon Seed tea stands out because producers use individual fresh tea leaves without the heads or ends. The straight, smooth leaves resemble melon seeds. After brewing, the tea offers a persistent flavor and a clear, bright appearance.
Yellow Mountain Maofeng
Farmers produce Yellow Mountain Maofeng in Huangshan City, Anhui. The tea takes its name from the white, sharp, mountain-like appearance of its new leaves. Farmers harvest the leaves from the top of Huangshan Mountain. Yellow Mountain Maofeng offers a refreshing aroma reminiscent of orchids.
Guqing Green Tea
Guqing Green Tea, also known as “Guqing royal tea,” comes from Nayong County, Guizhou. Its geographic location, more than 1,800 meters above sea level, supports pesticide-free cultivation. Guqing Green Tea offers a distinctive quality and flavor.
Xinyang Maojian (Yu Maofeng)
Xinyang Maojian is a traditional green tea from Hunan Province. Its defining characteristics include thin, round, shiny leaves, abundant white hairs, a strong flavor, and a green color. It also offers an appetizing and thirst-quenching quality.
Taiping Houkui
Taiping Houkui is a traditional tea from Anhui. Its distinctive appearance features two straight leaves clasping a large bud covered with white hairs, creating the characteristic known as “two knives and one pole.” The tea offers a distinctive and refreshing taste.
Lushan Yunwu
Farmers produce Lushan Yunwu in Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province. People have enjoyed it since the Han Dynasty, and it gained royal tea status during the Song Dynasty. The tea features strong leaves, a green color, bright liquor, even leaves, a long-lasting aroma, and a sweet aftertaste.
These Chinese green teas offer diverse flavors and aromas, with each variety showcasing unique characteristics. Exploring them allows tea enthusiasts to appreciate the rich history and diverse traditions associated with green tea.
Alex
