China: The Birthplace of Tea
China is the homeland of tea, and tea beverages rank among the world’s top three drinks. Historically, tea leaves were first used for sacrificial ceremonies. It was only in the late Spring and Autumn period that tea began to be consumed as a vegetable, later evolving into a medicinal product and a royal court beverage. Depending on the tea variety, Chinese teas are classified into six major categories: green tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, red tea (black tea in the West), dark tea, and white tea.
Among these six, green tea stands out as the freshest and most vibrant representative. It is known for its elegant pale color, refreshing aroma, and crisp, clean liquor. According to historical records, China’s earliest green teas likely originated in the Sichuan and Shaanxi regions.
Today, green tea is produced in many parts of China, but when it comes to the best-tasting green teas, eight varieties stand out as national icons. Those who have tried six or more of these are considered “Tea Masters.” Let’s explore these celebrated teas.
1. West Lake Longjing (The Queen of Green Tea)
“Outside the courtyard, the lotus sways as the West Lake smiles; before the Qingming Festival, Longjing and Daughter’s Red wine.” As one of China’s top ten famous teas, West Lake Longjing is a household name and a quintessential green tea.
Not all Longjing teas qualify as West Lake Longjing. It has very strict requirements regarding its production area and tea cultivars. Authentic West Lake Longjing must come from the designated protected area defined by the Hangzhou municipal government, and the tea trees must be from the Longjing group, Longjing 43, or Longjing Changye cultivars. When purchasing, always look for official anti-counterfeit labels on the packaging.
2. Biluochun from Jiangsu
Biluochun is produced in the Wuzhong District of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, with a history spanning over 1,000 years. It is also one of China’s top ten famous teas. Records show that as early as the Tang Dynasty, Biluochun was a tribute tea presented to the emperor.
The tea-growing region is unique because tea trees grow alongside various fruit trees, their branches intertwining. This gives Biluochun a distinctive fruity aroma. The tea is harvested early, typically finishing around the Grain Rain solar term, with pre-Qingming teas considered the most precious.
3. Emei Mountain Tea from Sichuan
Emei Mountain Tea, a product with a Chinese national geographical indication, comes from Leshan City in Sichuan Province. It is a major representative of green teas with a history exceeding 3,000 years.
Ancient texts such as the “Zhaoming Wenxuan” note, “Emei Mountain abounds in medicinal herbs, especially tea, which is unique across the land.” The region’s geography is distinctive—characterized by low clouds, frequent fog, abundant rainfall, and rich soil—creating an ideal environment for tea cultivation.
4. Anji White Tea from Zhejiang
At first glance, “Anji White Tea” might suggest it is a white tea, but botanically it belongs to the green tea category. It is produced in Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and is also a nationally protected geographical indication product.
The name “White Tea” comes from its tea tree cultivar, “Baiye No.1,” a rare mutant with white leaves. Another unique feature is that the color of its buds and leaves changes with temperature fluctuations.
5. Liu An Gua Pian from Anhui
Liu An Gua Pian is famous throughout history and is one of China’s top ten teas with a very long heritage. The name originated during the Ming Dynasty, but in the Tang Dynasty, it was known as “Luzhou Liu An Tea.”
Produced mainly in the Dabie Mountains area of Liu An, Anhui Province, it is a special type of green tea. It is the only tea in the world made from single leaves without buds or stems.
6. Huangshan Maofeng from Anhui
Huangshan Maofeng, grown in the Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) region of Anhui, is also one of China’s top ten famous teas and a symbol of Hui-style tea.
Local historical records state, “Tea production in Huangshan began in the Song Dynasty’s Jiayou period and flourished during the Ming Dynasty’s Longqing era,” showing the area’s long-standing tea culture.
The region’s excellent ecological environment—yellow and red soil, high mountains, abundant fog, and moderate climate—creates perfect conditions for tea cultivation. The outstanding quality of Huangshan Maofeng owes much to this unique terroir.
7. Wuyuan Green Tea from Jiangxi
Wuyuan is not only famous for its rapeseed flowers but also as the origin of the nationally protected “Wuyuan Green Tea.” In the Tang Dynasty, the tea sage Lu Yu mentioned in the world’s first tea monograph, The Classic of Tea, that “Shezhou tea grows in the Wuyuan valleys.” Shezhou refers to the early historical name for Huizhou, indicating that Wuyuan was already a renowned tea-producing area during the Tang period.
8. Xinyang Maojian from Henan
According to a 2002 ranking by the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po, China’s top ten teas include West Lake Longjing, Dongting Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng, Junshan Yinzhen, Xinyang Maojian, Anhui Qimen Black Tea, Liu An Gua Pian, Duyun Maojian, Wuyi Rock Tea, and Anxi Tieguanyin. More than half of these are green teas, including Xinyang Maojian from Henan.
Xinyang Maojian is often hailed as the “King of Green Tea.” As early as the Tang Dynasty, the Xinyang region was famous as the “Huainan Tea Area.” Archaeologists discovered tea leaves in ancient tombs in Gushi County, Xinyang, dating back over 2,000 years. The great Northern Song poet Su Dongpo once praised it, saying, “Huainan tea, Xinyang is number one.”
China’s rich tea heritage is vividly embodied in these eight green teas, each with its own story, terroir, and distinctive flavor. Exploring them offers a fascinating journey into the heart of Chinese tea culture and history.