Lu'an Guapian, as one of China's top ten historical famous teas, stands out among numerous famous teas due to its unique shape without buds or stems and its long history and culture. It is not only a special tea among green teas but also one of the treasures of Chinese tea culture.
Have you ever imagined a cup of tea with leaves shaped like melon seeds, a clear soup color resembling jade, a refreshing and uplifting aroma, and a rich, sweet taste that embodies the essence of the mountains while carrying an ancient craftsmanship that has been passed down for hundreds of years? Lu'an Guapian is exactly such an irresistible tea.
Whether you are a newcomer or a seasoned Chinese Tea lover, Lu'an Guapian can instantly captivate your taste buds and soul with its distinctive flavor and mouthfeel.
Historical and Cultural Background of Lu'an Guapian
The history of Lu'an Guapian can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, when it was known as "Luzhou Liu'an Tea," a unique famous Chinese Green Tea from the Liu'an region of Anhui. Liu'an is located in the Dabie Mountain area, where tea gardens are shrouded in clouds and mist year-round, nurturing tea leaves with a unique flavor. During the Ming Dynasty, Liu'an tea was officially named "Lu'an Guapian" due to its unique production process and superior quality. The name originates from the shape of the tea leaves, which resemble melon seeds.
During the Qing Dynasty, Lu'an Guapian rose to become a tribute tea, becoming a royal court tea. In the Qing court, Lu'an Guapian was not only the preferred tea for nobles but also served as a gift in diplomacy, showcasing the profound and unique charm of Chinese tea culture.
Core Production Areas and Tea Tree Varieties of Lu'an Guapian
Lu'an Guapian is a famous green tea in China, loved by many tea enthusiasts for its unique flavor and elegant shape. The high-quality production areas and specific tea tree varieties lay the foundation for the flavor and quality of this tea. Here is a detailed introduction to the core production areas and tea tree varieties of Lu'an Guapian.
Core Production Areas
The core production areas of Lu'an Guapian are mainly located in the Dabie Mountain area of Liu'an City, Anhui Province, specifically including Jinzhai County and Yu'an District. This region has an excellent geographical environment and a suitable climate for the growth of best green tea trees.
- Inner Mountain Production Area: Centered around Qitou Mountain, with an altitude of over 300 meters. The growth conditions for tea trees in this area are relatively good, distributed in places such as Xianhuailing, Qingshan Town, Zhangchong, and Youfangdian. Due to its unique terrain and climate, the Lu'an Guapian tea produced here has a rich aroma and a mellow taste.
- Outer Mountain Production Area: Located at altitudes below 300 meters, mainly distributed in places like Shiban Chong, Shipodian, Shizigang, and Luojiaan. Although the altitude is lower, the climate and soil conditions in this area are also suitable for the growth of tea trees, and the Lu'an Guapian produced here also has a certain quality.
Tea Tree Varieties
The unique flavor of Lu'an Guapian is closely related to its tea tree varieties, which include the following:
- Group Old Varieties:
Mainly distributed in the Qiyun Mountain area. This type of tea tree is characterized by "single trees forming patches," with tree ages reaching nearly 100 years and an average growing altitude of over 600 meters. The bud sprouting time for this variety is later than that of ordinary tea trees, usually harvested around the Grain Rain period. The Lu'an Guapian produced from this variety has a unique aroma and flavor, making it highly favored by tea enthusiasts.
- Willow Leaf Variety:
This variety was introduced by Anhui Agricultural Science in the late 1880s and is mainly cultivated in the Xianhuailing area. The average growing altitude of the willow leaf tea trees is between 400 and 600 meters, with relatively long leaves. The tea soup is clear, and the aroma is fresh, making it suitable for producing Lu'an Guapian.
- Wuniuzao:
Wuniuzao is a newly created tea tree variety from modern times, growing in areas with an average altitude below 400 meters. This variety of tea tree sprouts early but is relatively not resistant to brewing. Although the quality of Wuniuzao differs from other varieties, it also contributes a unique flavor to the diversity of Lu'an Guapian.
Characteristics of Lu'an Guapian
Lu'an Guapian, as one of the top ten historical teas in China, stands out among many green teas with its unique shape, color, aroma, and taste. It is not only renowned for its "no bud, no stem" production process but also deeply loved by tea enthusiasts for its unique tea leaf shape and flavor. Here are the main characteristics of Lu'an Guapian:
- Appearance
Lu'an Guapian tea leaves resemble melon seeds, with naturally flat leaves, uniform size, and slightly curled edges, showcasing a unique flat beauty. Unlike other teas, Lu'an Guapian tea is made entirely from single, mature leaves, without any buds or stems. This not only maintains the complete shape of the tea leaves but also removes the grassy taste that buds might bring. By eliminating woody stems, the taste of the tea becomes purer, rich yet not bitter, fragrant yet not astringent, making it a remarkable green tea Chinese experience.
- Color
Before brewing, Lu'an Guapian tea leaves are a treasure green, with a rich oily sheen, appearing bright green and fresh.
- Tea Soup Color
The brewed tea soup of Lu'an Guapian presents a bright emerald green, transparent and clear.
- Aroma
Lu'an Guapian is famous for its refreshing and high-pitched aroma, infused with the fragrance of natural plants, pure and fresh. This natural fragrance is neither overly strong nor too faint.
- Leaf Bottom
After brewing, the leaf bottom of Lu'an Guapian is tender green and bright, with soft and smooth leaves that exhibit a complete leaf structure and a soft texture.
- Taste
Lu'an Guapian has a sweet, fresh, and rich taste. Upon entry, the tea soup is refreshing, with a sweet flavor accompanied by a strong tea aroma, providing a pleasant enjoyment. The tea soup has a noticeable aftertaste, fresh and rich in flavor, with a certain level of complexity, and is enduring. After multiple brews, it still maintains a good tea flavor.
Production Process of Lu'an Guapian
Lu'an Guapian, as a treasure among Loose Leaf Green Tea, owes its unique flavor not only to the growing environment but also to its complex and meticulous production process. The production flow of Lu'an Guapian is mainly divided into several steps: fresh leaf picking, leaf shaping, frying leaves, and baking (initial fire, small fire, sorting leaves, and old fire).
1.Fresh Leaf Picking
Lu'an Guapian selects tender tea leaves, but unlike other teas, it does not use buds, only picking single mature leaves. This "no bud, no stem" picking method is unique and avoids the grassy taste associated with tea leaves, allowing the tea to showcase a purer aroma and taste in later production.
2.Leaf Shaping
Leaf shaping is a key process in making Lu'an Guapian. In this step, the freshly picked leaves are screened to ensure the removal of excess stems and unqualified leaves. Each tea leaf must be complete and free of impurities, maintaining its purity and quality, ready for subsequent frying.
3.Frying Leaves
The frying process requires the tea master to quickly dry the tea leaves at high temperatures. This process significantly evaporates the moisture from the leaves while fixing their green color and aroma. During frying, the tea master must continuously stir the leaves to ensure that each leaf heats evenly, preventing excessive roasting or local charring.
4.Baking (Initial Fire, Small Fire, Sorting Leaves, Old Fire)
Baking is the most complex part of the Lu'an Guapian production and directly affects the taste and aroma of the tea. Baking is divided into three stages, namely initial fire, small fire, and old fire, with gradually increasing temperatures.
Initial Fire: The initial fire is the first baking, with a lower temperature, primarily aimed at initially removing moisture from the tea leaves, making them drier for subsequent handling.
Small Fire: The small fire baking is the second baking, with a temperature slightly higher than the initial fire, further drying the tea leaves and gradually enhancing their aroma and color. In this stage, the tea's flavor begins to emerge.
Sorting Leaves: After completing the small fire baking, the tea master sorts the leaves, removing those of poor quality or undesirable shape, ensuring that the final tea leaves are uniform in appearance and color.
Old Fire: The old fire is the final baking, with a higher temperature, aimed at further enhancing the tea's aroma and taste, and ensuring that the moisture content of the tea leaves is minimized, thus improving their shelf life and preventing spoilage.
The three baking processes complement each other. Through different temperature baking processes, not only is the moisture content in the tea leaves reduced, extending the shelf life, but it also promotes the further transformation of the tea's aroma, color, and taste, resulting in Lu'an Guapian's unique refreshing aroma and rich flavor, making it a standout in any Loose Leaf Tea Sampler.
Classification of Lu'an Guapian Varieties
Lu'an Guapian is classified into three main categories based on the timing of picking and production processes: Ti Pian, Gua Pian, and Mei Pian.
- Ti Pian
Ti Pian is the highest quality variety of Lu'an Guapian. It is harvested before the Grain Rain solar term, resulting in tender tea leaves and excellent production quality. Ti Pian has a more uniform appearance, with thin and soft leaves that exhibit a bright green color and exude a refreshing aroma. Due to being picked during the most suitable climatic conditions, Ti Pian has a rich tea flavor, a pronounced sweetness, and a complex and layered taste. It is considered a superior product among Lu'an Guapian and is favored by tea enthusiasts. Ti Pian is often presented as a high-end tea gift, suitable for gifting or collection.
- Gua Pian
Gua Pian is the bulk product of Lu'an Guapian, harvested after the Grain Rain. Although it is picked later than Ti Pian, it still retains the unique flavor characteristics of Lu'an Guapian. The leaves of Gua Pian are slightly larger than those of Ti Pian, yet the tea still presents a bright green color and fresh aroma. The tea liquor is clear, with a refreshing and fragrant taste that combines a rich and smooth mouthfeel. While its quality is slightly inferior to that of Ti Pian, Gua Pian remains a high-quality green tea for daily consumption and is well-received by tea enthusiasts.
- Mei Pian
Mei Pian is harvested during the plum rain season. Due to the humid climate, the tea leaves have a higher degree of maturity and appear slightly coarse. Compared to Ti Pian and Gua Pian, Mei Pian has average quality, with reduced tea aroma and flavor. The leaves of Mei Pian are larger, and the tea liquor is darker in color. Although the taste is slightly inferior, for tea enthusiasts who prefer a strong tea flavor, Mei Pian is still a worthwhile tea to try. Typically, Mei Pian is more commonly used for daily consumption and is suitable for drinkers who do not have high quality requirements.
Suggestions for Purchasing Lu'an Guapian
As one of China’s famous green teas, Lu'an Guapian is favored by tea enthusiasts for its unique flavor and elegant appearance. When purchasing Lu'an Guapian, careful selection from the following aspects can ensure you choose high-quality tea that represents the best green tea to drink.
- Color
The color of Lu'an Guapian should be a bright emerald green, fresh and shiny. High-quality tea leaves should have an even color without any yellowing. Yellowing usually indicates that the tea has been stored for too long or is of poor quality, so be sure to carefully observe the color when selecting.
- Aroma
High-quality Lu'an Guapian dry tea should emit an aroma reminiscent of chestnuts. This fragrance should be fresh and natural, not pungent. You can take a small amount of tea leaves while purchasing, gently rub them, and smell the aroma to assess the tea’s quality. If the aroma is weak or has an off-smell, it may be inferior tea.
- Taste
When brewing Lu'an Guapian, excellent tea should have a taste that starts bitter and ends sweet. Upon initial tasting, the tea liquor may be slightly bitter, but as the tea aroma fills the mouth, a sweet aftertaste gradually emerges. Pay attention to the complexity and changes in mouthfeel while tasting to evaluate its quality.
- Appearance
The characteristic shape of Lu'an Guapian resembles melon seeds, with leaves curling towards the center from both sides. High-quality tea leaves should maintain a good shape, while inferior tea often has scattered and uneven leaves. You can gently move the dry tea leaves in your hand to observe their form.
- Tea Liquor
After brewing, the tea liquor should be a clear emerald green, free of impurities. A clear liquor indicates the freshness and quality of the tea. If the liquor is cloudy or yellowish, you should carefully consider its quality.
- Dry Leaf Crushing Test
When selecting, you can crush a dry leaf and observe the tea stems. High-quality Lu'an Guapian should have no obvious tea stems, and the crushed leaves should appear dry and moisture-free. If there are noticeable tea stems or a damp feeling, it indicates improper storage, excessive moisture, and compromised quality.
Focusing on color, aroma, taste, shape, liquor, and crushing during the selection of Lu'an Guapian can help you choose superior-quality tea. High-quality Lu'an Guapian not only provides a pleasant drinking experience but also represents a part of tea culture, deserving careful appreciation and collection by tea enthusiasts. This makes it an excellent choice for a tea gift set. I hope these suggestions help you choose Lu'an Guapian more confidently.
Brewing Suggestions for Lu'an Guapian
As a premium variety among green teas, the brewing method of Lu'an Guapian has a direct impact on its taste and aroma. To fully showcase the unique flavor of Lu'an Guapian, here are detailed brewing suggestions.
- Tea Amount
The recommended tea amount is 3-5 grams, adjustable according to personal preference. If you prefer a richer tea liquor, you can increase the amount slightly; conversely, you can reduce it. For a general flavor, about 3 grams of tea leaves can provide a fragrant and mellow tea liquor.
- Water Amount
The suggested water amount is 150-200 milliliters. Lu'an Guapian tea leaves are relatively light, so the tea-to-water ratio is typically maintained at 1:50, meaning 3 grams of tea leaves should be paired with 150 milliliters of water. If using slightly more tea (such as 5 grams), you can pair it with 200 milliliters of water.
- Water Temperature
The optimal water temperature for brewing Lu'an Guapian is 85°C. Due to the delicate nature of green tea, excessively high water temperatures can scorch the leaves, resulting in a bitter tea liquor. Water at 85°C gently releases the tea’s aroma and flavor, ensuring the liquor is fresh and mellow.
- Brewing Time
For the first brew, it is recommended to brew for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Lu'an Guapian does not require long steeping times, and a short brewing duration can yield a fragrant and sweet tea liquor. The brewing time for subsequent infusions can be extended appropriately, usually increasing by 10-20 seconds each time, while maintaining a lasting tea aroma, making it one of the Best Loose Leaf Tea options to enjoy.
- Brewing Steps
- Warm the Cup: Before brewing, warm the teacup with hot water to keep the tea set at a warm temperature, enhancing the tea’s aroma.
- Smell the Aroma: Add 3-5 grams of Lu'an Guapian to the warmed cup and gently swirl the cup to detect the rich fire aroma emitted by the tea leaves, a special fragrance brought by the roasting process.
- Moisten the Tea: After the first infusion, slightly shake the tea leaves to allow them to fully unfold, then quickly pour out the water. This process, known as moistening the tea, cleanses impurities and awakens the leaves.
- Formal Brewing: After moistening, add hot water at around 85°C again. When pouring water, it is advisable to have a fine and gentle flow, pouring along the cup wall to avoid directly impacting the tea leaves with high temperature. This method can be particularly useful when exploring various tea samples.
- Tasting
The tea liquor of Lu'an Guapian should present a clear light green color, with a sweet taste upon entry and a rich aroma. The first brew offers the freshest flavor, while the second and third brews provide a fuller and more mellow taste. After multiple infusions, the tea aroma remains enduring.
For tea lovers, Lu'an Guapian is undoubtedly a precious green tea that should not be missed. Whether it’s the visually appealing shape of the tea leaves resembling melon seeds or the bright green, clear liquor with a lingering sweetness, Lu'an Guapian provides tea enthusiasts with an ultimate tea tasting experience. By personally experiencing the charm of this renowned tea, one can not only appreciate the essence of Chinese green tea but also feel the blend of history and culture.
