The best Chinese tea? Do this countdown with us
Wherever you go in China, you’ll hear claims from locals that the best Chinese tea is to be found in their region. Irrespective of whether it’s north, south, or anywhere in between, it seems claimants for China’s best tea are everywhere.
Now we totally understand that perspective.
It’s true, there are a lot of wonderful Chinese teas. It’s also true these teas are discoverable in every corner of the country. From the Fujian mountains to the hills of Hangzhou , there is diversity in types of Chinese tea and benefits which any drinker yields from their consumption.
With the best teas in China title up for debate, the team at ChinaTours.com figured it was worth throwing our yuan’s worth into the mix. After all, we are tea lovers too. In fact, some of our team could be considered just a *little* tea crazy. As travelers like you, we love sourcing the best of the best and we figured it’s only fair to share our love of tea with you.
So here it is. The ultimate list of best Chinese teas according to ChinaTours.com.
Before we get to the bottom of the tea cup of China’s best teas, it’s probably a good idea to recap on some Chinese tea essentials. Bear in mind many factors influence the creation of a tea from the ‘best of’ list: the environment in which it’s grown, how it’s processed, the way it’s stored. Make no mistake. A ‘best Chinese tea’ is never a stroke of luck. No, the Chinese approach to tea, beautifully described in The Classic Art of Tea well over 1,300 years ago, is a serious business. According to the book’s author, Lu Yu, who is revered as the ‘Sage of Tea’ and who established traditions and practices that endure today, there is a definitive art to growing, processing, and drinking Chinese tea, irrespective of where it’s grown.
That said, there are certain locations throughout China that offer more favorable conditions for growing tea. It’s these locations which are fundamental to assuring tea quality. It’s why we’ve put together our list based on the places where the tea is grown.
So, to the list. Let’s do this!
#10 Liu’an Guapian (六安瓜片) – Green tea
A staple on just about any list of China’s best teas, Liu’an Guapian is a green tea with an enviable reputation. Grown in Liu’an county in Anhui Province (a land-locked region in China’s east), teapedia.org states the literal translation for Liu’an Guapian Tea is Liu’an Melon Seed. Why melon seed? Well, the Chinese with their poetic descriptions for just about everything think the oval, flat shape of dried leaves bear a striking resemblance to melon seeds. Whether you agree or not, the uniqueness of the tea’s processing is enough to make even a novice tea drinker sit up and pay attention. Liu’an Guapian tea is processed from the second leaf on the branch, rather than leaf buds like most other Chinese teas. The central vein of each leaf is removed (yes, by hand), and the leaves are then pan-fried and shaped, a process which prevents oxidation.
If green tea is your thing, then it’s hard to pass up on Liu’an Guapian.
#9 Anxi Tieguanyin (安溪铁观音) – Oolong tea
With Anxi Tieguanyin, we move into the realm of oolong tea. From Fujian province, Anxi Tieguanyin tea reflects all the health-giving qualities of a traditional oolong tea – vitamins, minerals, amino acids, beneficial tea polyphenol antioxidants that protect liver cells, lower blood pressure and produce the best weight loss effect of all Chinese tea varieties. The history of Anxi Tieguanyin tea is one based on legend. Depending on who you believe there are variations, however suffice to say the origins of Anxi Tieguanyin tea may have been humble, but it’s position in the best ten Chinese teas means a high level of respect is warranted. Correct processing Anxi Tieguanyin tea is vitally important because even if the growth and harvesting are done right, without proper processing, the tea’s quality can be negatively affected. When you drink a cup of Anxi Tieguanyin tea, you’re definitely drinking a brew steeped in folklore.
#8 Yunnan Pu’er (云南普洱) – Fermented tea
Looking for a tea that will last the distance? You’ll find it with Yunnan Pu’er. In a class of its own, Yunnan Pu’er, is made from large leaf varieties of camellia sinensis. What’s special about this tea? Yunnan Pu’er earns its place in the best Chinese tea list because it can be aged for decades or longer, just as you’d do with a collectible bottle of wine. The fermentation process used to produce Yunnan Pu’er allows it to be aged, allowing the tea to gain in flavor and texture.
#7 Qimen Black Tea 祁门红茶 – Black tea
A famous Chinese black tea, Qimen tea first emerged during the nineteenth century. Also grown in Anhui Province like Liu’an Guapian tea, Qimen has distinctive flavor blends that make it sound more like a bottle of wine