
A Guide to Famous Chinese Green Teas: Taste, Appearance, and Quality
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Time to read 6 min
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Time to read 6 min
Green tea is one of China's most prominent and oldest tea categories. As a non-fermented tea, it retains a vibrant green color, a refreshing and mellow taste, and is packed with antioxidants known for their anti-aging and anti-cancer properties.
This article introduces some of the finest Chinese green teas, including West Lake Longjing (Xihu Longjing), Biluochun, Liu’an Guapian, Huangshan Maofeng, and Anji Baicha. These teas are among China’s most renowned, with some dating back to the Tang Dynasty’s Tea Classic (Cha Jing) by Lu Yu.
West Lake Longjing, one of China's top ten famous teas, is a pan-fired green tea primarily produced in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province , around areas such as Shifeng, Longjing, Wuyun Mountain, and Tiger Run (Hupao) . Among them, Shifeng Longjing is regarded as the best quality.
Green Color – Bright, tender green appearance.
Fragrant Aroma – A fresh, sweet chestnut-like fragrance.
Sweet and Mellow Taste – A delicate balance of umami and sweetness.
Beautiful Shape – Flat, smooth, and straight leaves.
Pre-Qingming Longjing (Mingqian Longjing) – Picked before the Qingming Festival (early April) , considered the rarest and most premium grade , often referred to as "Daughter’s Red."
Pre-Grain Rain Longjing (Yuqian Longjing) – Harvested before Grain Rain (mid-April) , known as a high-quality but slightly more affordable option.
A high-quality Longjing will display "one bud, one leaf" (Yi Qi Yi Qiang) , with the tea buds standing upright in water when brewed.
Appearance: Flat, smooth, straight leaves, tender green and glossy. Higher grades have smaller, delicate leaves, while lower grades may be larger and darker.
Leaf Bottom: Tender, uniform buds and leaves. When brewed, the tea leaves expand fully into a plump shape.
Tea Liquor: Spring Longjing has a clear, light yellow-green color, a refreshing chestnut aroma, and a smooth, sweet aftertaste. Lower-quality summer and autumn Longjing have a darker yellow hue and may taste slightly bitter.
Biluochun, also known as "Dongting Biluochun," originates from Dongting Mountain, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. It is another top ten famous tea of China and is renowned for its curly shape, fresh floral aroma, and mellow taste.
Curled Shape – The leaves resemble tight spirals (hence the name “Biluochun,” meaning "Spring Snail").
Silver-Green Color – Covered with fine white fuzz, giving it a delicate, high-quality appearance.
Floral and Fruity Aroma – Due to the intercropping of tea trees and fruit trees, Biluochun naturally absorbs floral and fruity scents.
Appearance: One bud, one leaf, tightly curled into spirals, covered in fine white hairs. Fake or lower-quality Biluochun may appear yellowish or unevenly curled.
Leaf Bottom: Tender, uniform, and soft, with a consistent shape and color.
Tea Liquor: Superior Biluochun has a slightly yellowish liquor, while lower-grade versions may appear too green. It carries a refreshing floral and fruity aroma, a smooth texture, and a sweet aftertaste.
Liu’an Guapian, also known as Liu’an Melon Seed Tea, is a special green tea from Lu’an, Anhui Province, and is classified as a Chinese intangible cultural heritage tea.
Unlike other green teas, Liu’an Guapian is made entirely of single tea leaves, without buds or stems, giving it a distinct shape resembling sunflower seeds.
Unique Processing Method – Sun-dried, then repeatedly pan-roasted using traditional techniques.
Flat, Even Leaves – Unlike most green teas, Liu’an Guapian does not contain buds or stems.
Appearance: Flat, oval-shaped leaves, deep green in color with a slight white sheen.
Leaf Bottom: Soft, tender yellow-green leaves with an even shape.
Tea Liquor: Light jade-green in early harvests; later harvests produce darker green infusions. Nutty, floral, and slightly toasty aroma with a refreshing, smooth finish.
Huangshan Maofeng, a semi-roasted, semi-pan-fired green tea, is produced in Huangshan, Anhui Province. This tea is highly prized for its delicate aroma and sweet, lingering taste.
Tender Tea Buds – Covered in fine white hairs, giving the tea a soft appearance.
Elegant Shape – Slender, pointed leaves with a bright green hue.
High-Mountain Floral Fragrance – Sweet and delicate, with a slight nutty undertone.
Appearance: Slender, needle-like leaves with a bright green hue.
Leaf Bottom: Soft, tender leaves with a consistent shape and thickness.
Tea Liquor: Light yellow-green color with a fresh, floral fragrance and a sweet, smooth aftertaste.
Anji Baicha is a green tea, not a white tea, despite its name. It is produced in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, using a rare tea cultivar that turns white during early spring due to a unique genetic mutation.
White Tea Buds – Young leaves appear pale white , but turn light green after processing .
Delicate Taste – Naturally sweet, fresh, and smooth , with a high amino acid content .
Appearance : Slender, slightly flattened leaves , light green with a golden sheen .
Leaf Bottom : Transparent, soft, and tender, with clearly visible leaf veins .
Tea Liquor : Bright, clear, and golden-green , with an elegant sweetness and lingering freshness .
China’s famous green teas each have unique flavors, aromas, and textures. Whether you enjoy the nutty sweetness of Longjing, the floral aroma of Biluochun, or the rich, smooth taste of Liu’an Guapian, there is a perfect green tea for every preference.
By understanding these teas’ appearance, brewing methods, and quality indicators, you can fully appreciate their distinctive flavors and select the best green tea for your taste.
Green tea has a fresh, vegetal, slightly sweet, and sometimes nutty or floral flavor. The taste varies depending on the type of green tea and how it is processed. For example:
If brewed incorrectly, green tea can become bitter due to over-steeping or using water that is too hot.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, catechins, and polyphenols, which contribute to several health benefits:
Yes, green tea contains caffeine, but less than coffee and black tea. On average, a cup of green tea has 30-50 mg of caffeine, compared to 95-200 mg in coffee.
If you are sensitive to caffeine, opt for low-caffeine green teas such as:
To avoid bitterness and enhance flavor, follow these brewing tips:
For delicate teas like Longjing or Gyokuro, use lower temperatures (around 160°F or 70°C).
Yes, green tea is often linked to weight loss due to its ability to:
Green tea is not a miracle weight-loss solution, but when combined with a healthy diet and exercise, it can be beneficial.
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