Bi Luo Chun Green Tea
Bi Luo Chun is a famous traditional green tea originally grown in the Dong Ting mountain of Tai Hu, Jiangsu Province, China. Also known as Pi Lo Chun, Its English translation is Green Snail Spring due to its shape of tight spiral, resembling snail meat. It is renowned for its delicate appearance and floral aroma and fruity taste. The tea is harvested in early spring. Its original name is Scary Fragrance. Legend tells that it was discovered by a tea picker who ran out of space in her basket, so put the tea between her breasts instead. The tea was warmed by her body heat, emitting a strong aroma that surprised the girl.
With a history of over 1,000 years, it was offered to emperors as the tribute during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1911). According to the Qing Dynasty chronicle Ye Shi Da Guan, Emperor Kangxi visited Tai Hu in the 38th year of his rule. At that time, because of its rich aroma, local people called it Scary Fragrance. Kangxi decided to give it a more elegant name "Green Snail Spring".
Chinese tea experts regard it very highly. Zhen Jun (1857 to 1918 A.D.), an author of tea encyclopedia Cha Shuo, ranked it first among Chinese green tea. Dragon well tea came second; Lu’An Melon Seeds came third. It is so delicate and tender that one kilogram of Dong Ting Bi Luo Chun is made of 14,000 to 15,000 tea shoots.
Today, Bi Luo Chun is cultivated in Dong Ting, Jiangsu Province. Bi Luo Chun from Dong Shan (East Mountain) is considered the best. Bi Luo Chun tea is also grown in Zhejiang and Sichuan provinces. Their leaves are larger and less uniform (may contain yellow leaves). They taste nuttier than fruity and smooth.
The beautiful tiny, slightly curled tea leaves covered with white trichome (pubescence). The liquor is bright yellow in color. Bi Luo Chun has a very simple fragrance that tickles your nose, and a fresh mellow taste. The first time that you take a sip you will smell the delicate fragrance and the taste will be fresh; the second sip, you will find it is more fragrant and less mellow; after the third sip, the smell will be strong leading to a sweet aftertaste that quench your thirst.
