In the current Tea world, nothing is hotter than Xiao Qinggan from Xinhui. It's small and cute, easy to brew, loved by everyone, suitable for all ages, and a precious tea that you'll deeply fall in love with after just one sip. But do you know about Xiao Qinggan? What makes it unique? Start understanding Xiao Qinggan from these seven points…

First: Definition of Xiao Qinggan

According to the “Xinhui Chenpi Geographical Indication Product” standard, citrus peels can be divided into Qingpi (green peel), Weihongpi (yellow peel), and Dahongpi (red peel) based on their harvest period.

Xiao Qinggan refers to the peel processed from fruits harvested when the skin has not yet colored and is physiologically immature. This stage of the fruit is called Xiao Qinggan.

Second: Processing Method of Xiao Qinggan

1. Clean the harvested citrus fruits and perform sanitary treatment.

2. Cut a small opening in the fruit, remove the flesh through this opening, retain the empty shell of the fruit peel, and clean and dry it.

3. Fill the shell with ripe Pu'er tea, use the cut-off part of the peel as a lid to seal the opening, and restore it to a complete “tea fruit.”

4. Finally, after a drying process and storage in a dry warehouse, the entire process does not involve any coloring or additives.

Third: Taste and Mouthfeel of Xiao Qinggan

The tea quality of Xiao Qinggan is pure, blending the clear and fresh aroma of the fruit with the rich and sweet taste of Pu'er tea, creating a unique taste and flavor profile. After brewing, the tea liquor is bright orange-red, rich and smooth, with a delicate texture, a refreshing and sweet aftertaste, and a strong aged aroma.

Fourth: Benefits and Effects of Xiao Qinggan

According to Traditional Chinese medicine, green citrus peel (Qingpi) is slightly warm in nature, bitter and pungent in taste, and enters the liver and gallbladder meridians. It has the effects of regulating liver qi, relieving pharyngitis, aiding digestion, and protecting cardiovascular health. When combined with ripe Pu'er tea, its Health benefits naturally combine the advantages of both: promoting spleen and stomach health, relieving coughs and phlegm, reducing fat and weight, improving complexion, anti-aging, and various other effects.

Xiao Qinggan contains the most volatile oils, which have a slightly astringent and sour taste. The fruit flavor in the tea is more pronounced, with a clear sweetness and a pleasant aftertaste. Although the limonoids in the green peel cannot be absorbed by the human body, they can help dilate the upper respiratory tract. Drinking Xiao Qinggan can improve chronic pharyngitis, combat smog, and alleviate nasal congestion caused by nasal inflammation or colds.

Fifth: Methods for Identifying the Quality of Xiao Qinggan

1. Look at the appearance: The packaging should be intact without mold spots. The color of the citrus peel should be uniform and not too dark. The tea liquor after brewing should be clear and transparent without sediment at the bottom.

2. Smell the aroma: After brewing, the tea should have a light fruity scent mixed with the tea aroma, without any astringency or moldy smell.

3. Taste the flavor: The tea liquor should be thick and smooth upon entry, with a sweet aftertaste and no sharp or irritating sensation.

4. Examine the infused leaves: Gently pinch the infused leaves; they should be vibrant in color, supple, and elastic, without any foreign matter mixed in.

Sixth: Brewing Methods for Xiao Qinggan

1. Broken Peel Brewing Method

Pour out an appropriate amount of the Pu'er tea inside the Xiao Qinggan and break the citrus peel into several small pieces. Mix the pieces with the Pu'er tea and add boiling water to brew.

2. Lid-Off Brewing Method

Remove the lid from the tea-filled opening of the Xiao Qinggan, then place the whole Xiao Qinggan, including the lid, directly into a cup or Teapot. Add boiling water and wait for the substances in the citrus peel and Pu'er to slowly dissolve. The tea liquor should turn a deep golden yellow color before drinking.

3. Nine-Hole Brewing Method

Prepare a Pu'er tea knife and use it to make nine holes around the Xiao Qinggan and in its base. The size of the holes should be large enough to prevent any broken tea from leaking out. Place the Xiao Qinggan in a teapot, pour boiling water over it, and let the tea slowly infuse with the aroma of the citrus peel. The taste is moderately sweet, with a long-lasting flavor. The perforated citrus peel wraps around the Pu'er tea, preventing any broken tea from escaping while also controlling the rate of infusion.

Seventh: Storage Methods for Xiao Qinggan

Store in a well-ventilated and dry clean environment. For long-term storage, place intact Xiao Qinggan tea in a sealed ceramic jar, glass jar, or tin can. If you find the citrus peel becoming soft, simply expose it to the sun once or twice!