Introduction

In China's thousands of years of tea history, there have been a great many varieties of tea, particularly some "tribute teas" and "famous teas," which were highly cherished by tea drinkers and literati. The famous teas from the five dynasties of Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing are summarized below for fellow tea enthusiasts.

Tang Dynasty:

According to historical records such as Lu Yu's "The Classic of Tea," there were about 50 famous teas in the Tang Dynasty, such as: Zisun tea, Yangxian tea, Huoshan Yellow Tea, Mengding tea, Changming tea, Chayu tea, Hengshan tea, Jiukeng tea, Xianrenzhang tea... Most were steamed green cake teas, with a small amount being loose tea.

Song Dynasty:

According to records like Emperor Huizong of Song's "Treatise on Tea," there were over 90 famous teas in the Song Dynasty, such as Jian'an tea, Xieyuan tea, Wuguo tea, Pu'er tea, Baiyun tea, Huawu tea, Longjing tea... Most were still steamed green cake teas, with various innovatively named "Dragon and Phoenix" tribute cakes forming the core of Song tribute teas.

Yuan Dynasty:

According to records like Ma Duanlin's "Comprehensive Examination of Literature," there were about 40 famous teas in the Yuan Dynasty, such as: Toujin tea, Gujin tea, Nipian tea, Lüying tea, Zaochun tea, Dabaling tea, Yuqian tea...

Ming Dynasty:

According to Gu Yuanqing's "Tea Manual" from the Ming Dynasty, there were over 50 famous teas, such as Bijian tea, Bopian tea, Bailu tea, Lühua tea, Baiya tea...

Qing Dynasty:

Qing Dynasty famous teas included varieties from green, yellow, dark, white, and red tea categories, and also developed a new variety—Oolong tea. Among these tea types were many exceptional varieties, gradually forming the traditional famous teas that continue to be celebrated today. There were over 40 famous teas in the Qing Dynasty, such as: Wuyi Rock Tea, Huangshan Maofeng tea, West Lake Longjing tea, Fenghuang Xiaoxian tea, Qingchengshan tea, Guiding Yunwu tea, Meitan Meijian tea...