Tea: Melon Seed Green (Lu'an Guapian - 六安瓜片) Type: Anhui Green Tea Harvest: Mid April 2026 Region: Lu'an, Anhui, China Producers: Wang Family Tasting Notes: Nettle, Kale, Cabbage, Daffodil
This year we got something special from the Wang Family. Due to the general downturn in the green tea market, prices have dropped substantially. This means we were able to buy a grade of Guapian that was once 30% more expensive than the usual mid-season grade that we buy. Lighter in color and taste, this more tender pick has all the richness and power you can expect from Guapian, but with less bitterness and homeliness in shape.
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 who want a little force in their green tea selection, and are not afraid of some big ugly leaves.
The brew starts off very vegetal, but gets sweeter and creamier as the session progresses, and even 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).
My only regret is that I only bought a 25g sample of it. The other reviewers were spot on. Coming back to purchase a cake or two once I've budgeted enough.
This was delightful! Layered toasty berry woody floral goodness that didn't quit for 9+ sessions. It aged well considering I bought it a year later. Not something I've had a problem with the dancongs from ORT though. Smooth, deep, resonant. Will be buying the 2026 version soon! Hopefully, ha.
This tea is a solid choice, but strictly for those who enjoy a distinct bitterness! 🍃
This tea features a noticeable bitter note that stays with you throughout the entire session, rewarding you with a wonderful sweet aftertaste (hui gan). Plus, it packs quite a strong Cha Qi (tea energy) that you can really feel.
If you appreciate a bold, energetic profile with a pleasant bitter-to-sweet transformation, this one is definitely worth a try!
It’s smooth, sweet, and very enjoyable, though noticeably different from the first batch. It’s not better or worse—just different. This new version features lighter roasting, bringing out fresher, fruitier notes compared to the heavier roast of the first batch.
It would be amazing to have both options available at the same time: the more heavily roasted batch 1 and this lightly roasted version, so you could choose based on your mood. Still, it’s a wonderful and unique tea!
