West Lake Longjing, one of the most distinctive green teas, is known as a “heavenly treasure” and ranks first among China's famous teas. It is produced in the mountains surrounding West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is famous worldwide not only for its beautiful West Lake but also for Longjing tea.

Longjing tea is graded according to the places of origin: Shi (Lion Peak), Long (Dragon Well), Yun (Clouds), Hu (Tiger Run), and Mei (Meijiawu), with the finest being from West Lake. The tea leaves are straight, flat, smooth, uniform, and yellowish-green in color. When brewed, it gives a clear, lasting fragrance like orchids, a clear apricot-green liquor, and evenly formed tea buds standing upright in the cup. Drinking it refreshes the mind and leaves a lingering aftertaste.

Longjing tea is rich in amino acids, catechins, chlorophyll, and vitamin C, more so than other teas. It helps quench thirst, refresh the mind, aid digestion, reduce fat, and alleviate inflammation. The combination of Longjing tea and Hupao Spring water is known as the “twin wonders of Hangzhou.”

Two: Biluochun

Dongting Biluochun is produced in Dongting Mountain, Taihu Lake, Wuxian County (now part of Suzhou), Jiangsu Province. The tea leaves are slender, curly like snails, covered with fine hairs, and jade-green in color. Brewed, it has a fresh taste, fragrant aroma, clear green liquor, and fine, tender leaves. High-quality Biluochun can be made by adding water first and then the leaves, which slowly sink down and unfurl—a unique trait.

Harvested from the Spring Equinox to Grain Rain, only one bud and one leaf are picked. Processing includes sorting, killing the green, rolling, and drying, all done by hand in one wok. The key is the “ti hao” (lifting the down) step during rolling.

Three: Huangshan Maofeng

Huangshan Maofeng is produced in the Huangshan region of Anhui Province. The tea gardens are located in high mountain valleys with misty conditions, making the leaves tender and thick. The tea has a slender, slightly curled shape resembling sparrow tongues, with silver down. The liquor is clear with a light apricot color, and the aroma is long-lasting like white orchid.

Four: Lushan Yunwu Tea

Lushan Yunwu tea comes from Mount Lushan in Jiangxi Province. The tea is emerald green, with a fragrance like orchids, a mellow and fresh taste, and tender leaves with white down. It is processed through nine steps including killing the green, shaking, and rolling.

Five: Lu'an Guapian

Lu'an Guapian is a national historic tea and one of China's top ten classic green teas. It is made from local varieties by removing buds and stems, resulting in a melon-seed-shaped leaf. It has a long history, having been mentioned in Tang dynasty texts and offered as tribute in the Qing dynasty. It was also a gift to foreign dignitaries.

Six: Junshan Yinzhen

Junshan Yinzhen is a famous yellow tea from Junshan Island in Dongting Lake, Hunan Province. It is made from tender buds picked before Qingming. The tea has a clear aroma, sweet taste, yellow liquor, and the buds stand upright in the cup, rising and sinking three times—a fascinating sight.

Seven: Xinyang Maojian

Xinyang Maojian is produced in the deep mountain areas of Shihe District, Xinyang, Henan Province. It is known for being thin, round, glossy, straight, with abundant white down, high aroma, strong taste, and green liquor. Its production technique evolved from the Lu'an Guapian method.

Eight: Wuyi Rock Tea

Wuyi Rock Tea is grown in the rock crevices of Wuyi Mountain in northern Fujian. It combines the fragrance of green tea and the sweetness of black tea, making it the finest oolong tea. Famous varieties include Dahongpao, Baijiguan, Shuixian, and Rougui. It was introduced to Europe in the 18th century and called the “elixir for all ailments.”

Nine: Anxi Tieguanyin

Anxi Tieguanyin is a famous oolong tea from Anxi County, Fujian Province. It has a long history and is called the “king of teas.” The leaves are thick, heavy like iron, with a distinctive orchid fragrance. It can be brewed seven times and still retain its aroma. It has won many awards at home and abroad.

Ten: Qimen Hongcha

Qimen Hongcha (Keemun black tea) is a premium black tea produced in Qimen County, Anhui Province. The leaves are tightly twisted, uniform, and dark in color. It has a honey-like fragrance, with top grades featuring an orchid-like aroma known as “Qimen fragrance.” The liquor is bright red, and the taste is sweet and mellow. It is best enjoyed plain and is suitable for afternoon or bedtime tea.