In today's tea world, the hottest and most beloved among tea lovers may no longer be traditional teas like West Lake Longjing, Anxi Tieguanyin, or Dahongpao, but rather a tea product called Little Green Orange. With its small, exquisite, and unique shape, it has quickly gained popularity among tea enthusiasts. Its whole-piece brewing method and rich citrus aroma further enhance its distinctive charm.
Nowadays, drinking Little Green Orange has become a trend. In the office where the author works, colleagues are often seen brewing a whole piece of Little Green Orange in their cups.
Today, the author will discuss this rising star in the tea world—what exactly is Little Green Orange, and why is it so beloved?
1. Production Process
To make Little Green Orange, high-quality green oranges from Xinhui are first selected. After harvesting, the fruit pulp is removed, and Pu-erh tea is stuffed inside. Without any additives, a special process is used to blend the fresh citrus aroma of Xinhui oranges with the rich flavor of Yunnan Pu-erh tea, allowing the orange peel (also known as tangerine peel) and tea leaves to absorb each other's essence, improving with age.
2. Flavor of Little Green Orange
Since Little Green Orange is in its early growth stage, it contains more moisture and has a pungent, aromatic flavor. Thus, the tea made from it tends to be refreshing and lively. However, as the orange is not yet fully mature, its taste can be more overpowering, sometimes masking the flavor of the Pu-erh tea, which is a slight drawback.
3. Health Benefits of Little Green Orange
The oil-ketone compounds in Little Green Orange are not easily absorbed by the body but can help expand the upper respiratory tract. Long-term consumption may improve chronic pharyngitis, combat smog, and relieve nasal congestion caused by colds or rhinitis. In today's increasingly polluted environment, brewing a piece of Little Green Orange daily seems quite necessary.
Traditional Chinese medicine also believes that green tangerine peel is mildly warm, bitter, and pungent, benefiting the liver and gallbladder meridians. It helps regulate liver energy, soothe the throat, aid digestion, and protect cardiovascular health. When combined with ripe Pu-erh tea, it offers dual benefits: promoting digestion, relieving coughs, reducing fat, beautifying the skin, and anti-aging effects.
Seeing the business potential of Little Green Orange, many manufacturers have rushed to produce their own versions, leading to a market flooded with inconsistent quality. Many tea lovers find this frustrating. So, how can one identify a good Little Green Orange when purchasing?
First, examine the appearance.
A high-quality Little Green Orange should be plump and uniformly colored. Inferior products may have damaged peels, uneven coloring, or even mold spots due to poor materials or processing.
Second, smell the aroma.
A good Little Green Orange emits a light, refreshing citrus scent when opened. Poor-quality ones may have a musty or moldy smell due to improper packaging or storage.
Third, taste the brew.
A high-quality Little Green Orange offers a refreshing taste with a lingering citrus aroma and sweetness, without any sharp or unpleasant aftertaste.
Finally, inspect the tea leaves.
After brewing, the leaves of a good Little Green Orange should be plump, evenly textured, and vibrant in color, free of impurities.