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Chinese Green Tea
A Four Thousand Year -OldTradition
Chinese green tea has been drunk in China for more than 4000 years.
Originally Chinese green tea was used for medicinal purposes, then later as a religious offering.
It was also used by Buddhist monks during meditation, as a way to stay alert for long periods.It became a popular drink during the Tang Dynasty (618-906 A.D).
It was during the Tang Dynasty that Lu Yu wrote the book 'Tea Classics', which set out the rules concerning different aspects of tea.
Today green tea is grown in most parts of China, in more than 20 of its 30 provinces.
The most famous tea-growing provinces are Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hubei, Henan, Jingxi and Anhui.
How is Chinese Green Tea Processed?
Today Chinese green tea is still mainly hand-picked. Most green tea is then pan fired, producing a smoky aroma and flavour.
There are several methods of pan firing, where the leaves are tossed and turned in a pan or large wok. Alternatively the leaves are baked when it's important to preserve the shape and texture of the tea.
Famous Chinese Green Tea
There are hundreds of green tea varieties in China, but there are a few stand-outs, that are well-known all over the world.
Dragon Well Green Tea
Dragon Well green tea (Lung Ching in Chinese) is probably the most famous green tea in China.
It is grown in Zhejiang province, near Hangchow's West Lake. It grows on the peaks of the nearby mountains.
Dragon Well green tea is picked from the end of March until October.
It has broad and flat leaves, and is a smooth and delicate tea.
Gunpowder Green Tea
Gunpowder green tea was originally produced in Zhejiang province, but is now grown in other areas of China.
Its leaves are rolled into tight balls, which resemble gunpowder.
Gunpowder green tea is a full-bodied green tea, with a smoky flavour.
Maofeng Green Tea
Maofeng green tea comes from the Yellow Mountains in An Hui province.
Its leaves are an emerald green and are rolled into slender pieces.
Maofeng is a light and delicate tea.
Green Snail Spring Green Tea
Known as Bi Luo Chun is grown in the Dong Ting mountain of Tai Hu, Jiangsu Province.
It has a fruity aroma.
The China Green Tea Plant
There are two main kinds of tea bushes, China and Assam. The China variety is a multistemmed bush that grows to a height of about 2.5 metres (8 feet) and has small round leaves.
It is the same tea plant grown in Japan, where the plants can withstand cold temperantures.
Chinese Tea Culture
The Chinese often brew green tea in small tea pots which they serve into small handleless cups.
The Chinese also have a unique brewing method when making single cups. They use a 'guywan', which is a covered cup and saucer.
The leaves are put in the cup, then boiled water is added. The lid is then replaced, and the leaves left to infuse. The tea is then sipped, while using the lid as a strainer to keep the leaves in the cup.
Learn about Japanese high grade green tea here.
Return from Chinese Green Tea home to Japan-Green-Tea.
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