Tea: Melon Seed Green (Lu'an Guapian - 六安瓜片) Type: Anhui Green Tea Harvest: Mid April 2025 Region: Lu'an, Anhui, China Producers: Wang Family Tasting Notes: Toasted Oats, Cinnamon, Nettle, Daffodil
Guapian is a type of green tea that has survived in roughly the same form since antiquity. These wok-fried leaves are large, natural, and a little ugly. Guapian has been one of China's top ten teas for hundreds of years, and the methodology behind this tea is very unique, featuring whisking the leaves with a hand-held straw broom in a wood-fired wok. This processing creates the iconic wabi-wabi leaf shape iconic to the Guapian, or Melon Slices.
As this tea consists of larger leaves, there is very little 'mingqian' guapian made in Luan. The tea is thick, rich, and delivers a powerful cup of tea without too much bitterness. This is a great tea for those that want a little force in their green tea selection, and are not afraid of some big ugly leaves.
The brews start off very vegetal, but get sweeter and creamier as the session progresses, and even gets positively floral by the final infusions.
We recommend brewing this tea in a gaiwan (2.5 grams to 100ml water with flash infusions) or in a tall glass grandpa style (3 grams to 8 oz of water with a death steep).
I am really happy with this purchase and enjoy each cup of tea. It is smooth and the mix of flavors and experiences with each cup brings joy and a sense of calm. I really enjoy this tea and even though it is my first time purchasing this tea, I can see myself buying it again.
This is the first time I have purchased and tried a pomelo flower tea and will definitely not be the last. This time is well balanced with its flavors and the pomelo flavor brings the subtle yet present citrus flavors. I absolutely love this tea
This is incredible tea with wonderful flavors. The apricot is perfect - just enough to taste it in every sip, but does not overpower the other flavor palates and experiences you have with each sip. Each cup brings new experience with the flavors. I love this tea and definitely plan to buy more and share it with my friend and family.
This is incredible tea with wonderful flavors. Each cup brings new experience with the flavors. I love this tea and definitely plan to buy more and share it with my friend and family.
