Other names

• Jade Sword Tea 
• Downy Tip Tea

Introduction

Mao Jian is a sweet Green Tea with a delicate flowery aroma. It produces a bright, pale greenish-yellow liquor, typical of a high mountain tea. The mouth-feel is smooth and lively, the taste refreshing with a long lasting sweet aftertaste. This was first produced in around 700AD and is highly prized today.

Origin

Jin Hua, Zhejiang Province.

Tea varietal: Camellia sinensis sinensis.

Processing

Young leaves are picked early and fired quickly to make this tea. The best Mao Jian is Pre-Qing Ming or Ming Qian, ie picked before the 6^th April Spring holiday. Tightly-shaped, straight smooth leaves. The ‘Yu Ye’ (fish-shaped leaves) are a sign of the first picked of the year.

Tasting notes

This sweet Green Tea has a delicate flowery aroma and produces a bright, pale greenish-yellow liquor typical of a tea grown on a high mountain plantation. The mouth-feel is smooth and lively and the taste is subtle and flowery, with a long-lasting finish.

Brewing instructions

Infuse 1 - 2 teaspoons per cup for 2 - 3 minutes using water at 70°C. Use a tall glass to appreciate the fine quality of the unfurling leaves as they give up their goodness.