Bi Luo Chun

About this tea

Bi Luo Chun, meaning 'Green Snail Spring,' ranks among China's most prestigious teas, originating from the Dongting mountains beside Lake Tai in Jiangsu Province. Legend tells of a tea picker who ran out of basket space and placed leaves against her chest, where body warmth released such intoxicating fragrance that she exclaimed 'Xia Sha Ren Xiang!' (scary fragrance). Emperor Kangxi later renamed it to the more elegant current name.

The tea grows among fruit trees - peach, plum, apricot, and orange - which some claim impart subtle fruity notes to the leaves. Harvest occurs in early spring when buds are smallest, with incredibly strict standards: only one bud with one leaf, picked before dawn to preserve delicate aromatics. The signature spiral shape comes from expert hand-rolling while leaves are still warm from firing, requiring exceptional skill to achieve uniform tiny snails.

The flavor profile is exceptionally delicate and complex: pronounced fruity notes often compared to fresh peaches, delicate floral undertones with natural sweetness, silky smooth texture with no astringency, and complex layers revealing different notes across infusions. The integration of fruit and floral notes creates an almost perfumed quality that seems to hover above the palate. Premium grades exhibit remarkable clarity and purity of flavor.

Brewing recommendations: Use 1 teaspoon (3g) per 250ml cup with water at 80°C (175°F), steeping for 90 seconds. This delicate tea scorches easily. First infusion just 30-60 seconds. Yields 3-4 infusions with evolving flavors. Chinese connoisseurs often eat the tender leaves after brewing. Glass vessels showcase the beautiful dance of unfurling leaves.

Best savored in quiet moments when full attention can be given to its subtleties. Pairs beautifully with light fruits, mild pastries, or enjoyed alone to appreciate complexity. Considered a 'scholarly tea' in China, associated with refinement and contemplation. The limited production and labor-intensive processing make authentic Bi Luo Chun expensive and frequently counterfeited.