China famous tea

China's Famous Teas (中国名茶) or The Ten Great Chinese Teas (中国十大名茶) is a list of ten notable Chinese teas. Contrary to popular belief, there is no steadfast list. The list varies considerably depending on the area where it is compiled and the current trend of tea consumption.^[1]

Stir-frying West Lake (Xihu) Longjing tea

The list below, however, is considered the most top ten famous teas by the Chinese Ranking Association in 1959: Xi Hu Longjing, Dongting Bi Luo Chun, Anxi Tie Guan Yin, Huang Shan Mao Feng, Wuyi Yan Cha, Qimen Hong Cha, Liuan Gua Pian, Yunnan Pu'er and Bai Hao Yin Zhen.^[2]

Different sources cite different teas, but the following table compiles twenty different such lists and ranks the teas upon recurrence.

Tea Name	Pronunciation	Occurrences	English	Origin	Type
西湖龙井	Xi Hu Longjing	20	Dragon Well	Hangzhou, Zhejiang	Green tea
洞庭碧螺春	Dongting Bi Luo Chun	20	Green Spiral	Suzhou, Jiangsu
安溪铁观音	Anxi Tie Guan Yin	20	Iron Goddess	Anxi, Fujian	Oolong tea
黄山毛峰	Huang Shan Mao Feng	17	Yellow Mountain Tip	Huangshan, Anhui	Green tea
武夷岩茶	Wuyi Yan Cha	16	Red Robe	Wuyi, Fujian	Oolong tea
君山银针	Junshan Yin Zhen	14	Silver Needle	Yueyang, Hunan	Yellow tea
祁门红茶	Qimen Hong Cha	12	Keemun Black	Qimen, Anhui	Black tea
六安瓜片	Liuan Gua Pian	11	Liuan Leaf	Jinzhai, Anhui	Green tea
云南普洱	Yunnan Pu'er	10	Puer tea	Simao, Yunnan	Post-fermented tea
白毫银针	Bai Hao Yin Zhen	10	White Silver Needle	Fuding, Fujian	White tea

Features

Chinese tea has a long history and wild varieties. China famous teas are separated into two groups: Traditional famous teas and Historical famous teas. The Ten Great Chinese Teas are the treasures among the vast varieties of teas. At the same time, China famous tea owns a high reputation in the international arena.

A woman is picking up Huang Shan Mao Feng Tea

There are no particular concepts to judge whether the tea is great or not. However, there are some basic characteristics a 'great tea' must be followed: each of them should have its own unique style, mainly in the color, fragrance, taste and the shape of the tea.

Description

Here are some descriptions about two most famous teas which are well-known among individuals.

• Longjing tea

West Lake (Xihu) Longjing, the China's most famous tea, is produced in the mountains around the West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. West Lake is famous not only due to its sense of beauty, but also the acclaimed Longjing tea around the world. West Lake (Xihu) Longjing has thousands of years of history. It is renowned starting from the time of the Tang dynasty. Longjing tea has sharpened and flat leaves. The color of the leaves is green with yellow. After brewing, the tea aroma can last for a long time; the color becomes almond green, clear and bright. When drinking with it, the fresh tastes will surely attract you. People praise Longjing tea as 'the gold bud' and 'the world unparalleled'. It becomes the China's national tea. ^[3]

• Bi Luo Chun tea

It is one of the most famous green tea in China, produced in Tai Lake, Dongting mountain, Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

Bi Luochun Tea

Bi Luochun leaves appear slender, curled, verdurous and tiny fluffies can be observed. When brewing the high quality Bi Luochun, we can first get water and then add the tea in, the leaves are still going to slowly sink. Dongting Bi Luochun is distinctive and world famous. It is not only well-selled in demestic market, but also exported to Japan, the United States, Germany, Singapore and more other countries as advanced gifts.

See also

Drink portal

• Si Da Ming Cong for a list of the 4 notable Wuyi Oolong teas.
• Chinese teas

References

1. ^ "Famous Chinese Teas". Chinese-Tea-Culture. http://www.chinese-tea-culture.com/famous-chinese-teas.html.  Accessed June 2011.
2. ^ "China top ten famous teas". http://baike.baidu.com/view/5512.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2011. 
3. ^ "Longjing Green Tea". http://www.longjinggreentea.com. Retrieved 11 November 2011.