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Are you a little confused by all the different kinds of Chinese green teas out there? Here is a simple outline with the most popular green teas in China.
Chinese green teas:
The Zhejiang Province, China, is home to the most famous of all teas, Xi Hu Longjing, as well as many other high quality green teas.
Longjing (Dragon Well).
This tea is the most well-known of famous Chinese teas from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, where it is mainly produced by hand. Longjing is number 1 in China's Most Famous tea.
Because of how the fermentation process is stopped after the tea leaves have been picked, the Longjing contains Vitamin C, and amino acids.This is a gentle and sweet tea. The tea leaves can also be eaten after infusion. This tea can be quite expensive.
But do watch out! The majority of Longjing tea are fake. They are not actually from Zhejiang, but from Sichuan, which makes Longjing a different tea.
Hui Ming
Named after a temple in Zhejiang. In appearance the tea leaves are yellowish green and firmly rolled. The brew is a clear-green with an orchid fragrance.
Long Ding (Dragon Mountain).
It is a tea from Kaihua County, Zhejiang Province, China. This tea has won the "Zhejiang 10 Famous Tea" and "Top 10 Most Preferred Green Tea" in 2004.
Hua Ding.
This a tea from Tiantai County. It is named after a peak in the Tiantai mountain range.
Qing Ding (Green Top).
A tea from the Tian Mu Mountains, just west of Hanzhou Zhejiang Province, China. This rare tea is only picked for two weeks each spring. It is bright in color and has a sweet and nutty flavor.
Gunpowder Chinese green teas (Zhu Cha).
This is a fine Chinese green tea and is considered the highest grade of green tea. It is also noted for its form and its flavor. This tea is from the Zhejiang Province, China.
When first seen, the leaves appear to be small and rolled into a tight ball, however, once in hot water, the leaves unfold and the true form of the tea leaves are seen. The smaller the balls, the more expensive the tea.
This tea is crisp and very transparent with a flowery flavor.
Dragonwater review: Has a wide variety of classic and original green teas. Whether you are looking for flavored, classic, or organic, they've got it. Also, they tell you where the tea comes from and what it's caffeine level is. (Which comes in handy.)
We use them because of their large collection of flavored green teas. (Some are unique to this site only.)
Takes U.S. and a variety of International orders.
Tea Farm review: Has a wide variety of green teas. Has competition and fine grades. Their teas are also classed by region. They have some very specific and unique flavored green teas.
Takes U.S. and International orders.
Chinese green teas from the Henan Province:
Xin Yang Mao Jian (Zin Yang Fur Tip or Green Tip).
This tea is number 6 in China's Ten Most Famous tea. This tea is treasured for its refreshing aftertaste and its sweet floral flavor. When infused, the tea leaves sink to the bottom of the cup.
Chinese Green teas from the Jiangsu Province:
A famout Chinese tea that comes from Mt. Dongting, Suzhou. It is the second most highly prized tea after Dragon Well/Longjing tea. It brews to a clear green brew and has a flower fragrance with a fruity aroma. But beware, as with Longjing, falsification is common and most of the tea marketed under this name may actually be grown in Sichuan.
Rain Flower.
It comes from Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. It brews to a clear green with a lasting fragrance, and has won national and provincial awards since it was formulated in 1958. The making of this tea is precise and very detailed. About 3,000 leaves would be needed to produce one ounce of high-grade green tea.
Chinese green teas from the Jiangxi Province:
Chun Mee (Precious Eyebrows).
This is a popular green tea that has a dusty appearance and is more acidic and less sweet than other green teas in general.
Yun Wu.
This tea is rated amongst China's top ten. The brew has a sweet taste and a refreshing fragrance.
Gou Gu Nao.
Also from the Jiangxi Province.
Chinese green teas from the Anhui Province:
Anhui Province is home to three Chinese famous teas.
Da Fang.
This tea is grown in the south of Huangshan in the Xi County of Anhui Province, China. It is similar to the Longjing tea and has a nutty aroma.
Huang Shan Mao Feng (Yellow Mountain's Fur Peak).
This tea is number 3 in China's Most Famous Tea. It has a complex aroma and taste of floral sweetness with a hint of nutty flavor.
This tea is harvested on Mount Huang Shan.
Hou Kui (Monkey Tea).
This tea is number 4 in China's Most Famous Tea. It is grown at the foot of Huangshan in Taiping County. This tea has been produced since the beginning of the 20th century. This tea won the "King of Tea" award in the China Tea Exhibition in 2004. It is a coarse green tea.
Lu An Guapian (Melon Seeds).
This tea is number 5 in China's Most Famous Tea. This tea comes from Mount Qiyun in Anhui Provence, China. This tea is lightly flavored and sweet.
Tun Lu.
This is a tea from the Tunxi District.
Huo Qing (Fire Green).
This tea is from Jing County, China.
Hyson (Lucky Dragon Tea).
This is a low-quality tea. Due to the low quality, it is possible to easily over brew the tea and end up with a very strong tea. If the tea is bitter, it is best advised to throw it away as you shouldn't add milk or sugar into this particular tea. Savour it on its own and throw away if it proves to be too bitter.
Chinese green teas from the Hubei Province:
Yu Lu (Jade Dew)
This tea is also known as Gyokyro.
Want to find out about Japanese green teas?
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