Charming Anhui

Types of teas in Anhui province

Updated: 2010-04-29 12:35

Tunxi Green Tea

Native: Tunxi county

Appearance: firmly rolled and dark-green with lasting chestnut fragrance

Brew: clear-yellowish green with aftertaste

Praised 'green gold', This tea is one of top ten Chinese teas. First known around since 7th century and became one of the trades between China and Europe from the 16th century, it has been celebrated for its four beauties - green in color, clear in brew, mellow in taste, and strong in aftertaste. Its producing area includes four neighboring counties around Tunxi. Because teas from other counties were packed and shipped for export from here, they are collectively called 'Tunxi Green Tea'.

The standard picking is one shoot with one, two, or three young leaves depending on the grade. There are six varieties in this tea and each of them has three grades. This tea looks different in appearance by its varieties, but its mellowness is always the same.

About Tunxi county

Surrounded by range upon range of mountains, Tunxi county, or 'the river where the army stationed', is the first stop to Huangshan Mountain, a scenery resort listed The World Nature and Culture Heritage by UNESCO in 1990. Teas are distributed on the hillside from 300 to 2000 ft in elevation. Its fertile yellow earth, plenty of rainfall, and warm temperature provide favorable growing environment for tea.