China

Bi Luo Chun is cultivated in Dong Ting, Jiangsu Province. Bi Luo Chun from Dong Shan (East Mountain) is considered the best. Bi Luo Chun tea is also grown in Zhejiang and Sichuan provinces. Their leaves are larger and less uniform (may contain yellow leaves). They taste more nutty than fruity and smooth.

This tea would pair well with sweet and fruity foods.

The translation of Bi Luo Chun is green snail (or pearl) spring. Commonly listed as one of the Ten Great Teas of China, Bi Luo Chun was given its name by emperor Kanxi of the Qing dynasty as he thought the regional name, Xia Sha Ren Xian (meaning astounding fragrance), was not elevated enough for the quality of the tea. The elegance and nobility of the tea character, as well as its resemblance to a snail, yielded the name known worldwide.

This famous variety of green tea is produced mostly by hand and has been renowned for its high quality, earning the China Famous Tea title.

It is said that while visiting West Lake Emperor Qianlong took some time to watch the tea harvest, and decided that he would try it himself. While picking tea he received a message that his mother, the Empress Dowager, was ill and wished his immediate return to Beijing. He shoved the leaves he had picked into his sleeve and immediately left for Beijing.

Upon his return he immediately went to visit his mother. She noticed the smell of the leaves coming from his sleeves and he immediately had it brewed for her. It is said that the shape of Longjing Tea was designed to mimic the appearance of the flattened leaves that the emperor brewed for his mother.

The name Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy) came from a farmer named Mr. Wei. At the temple dedicated to Guan Yin he was asked what is the name of his special tea. It must be called Ti Kuan Yin in honor of the iron statue to Guan Yin, he replied. As the name was a good one, it has never been changed.

Long Ding Tea is made from the new leaves of good quality strong tea plants in the unique traditional way. The finished Long Ding Tea looks straight and elegant in appearance. It has an appealing flowery taste with a long sweet aftertaste. The dried tea leaves are thick and about 5mm - 6mm in length. When brewed, the tea leaves stand straight up in the water (an indication of exceptional quality). It is an excellent green tea with nice outlooking and good quality.

Kaihua Longding has beautiful green and thick bodied tea leaves. Always picked before Qingming (Pure Brightness) the finest grades are produced in late March and the other reasonable ones in Mid April.