Bi Luo Chun

 Jiangsu is world famous for tea production and its Yixing pottery kilns. The tea it is most well known for is Bi Luo Chun, or Green Snail Spring. Bi Luo Chun, as a style of tea, is a curled green tea that resembles the spiral shape of a snail's shell. We offered a Bi Luo Chun inspired tea from Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China.

However, traditional Bi Luo Chun comes from Dongting Mountain, located at Lake Tai in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China. Our tea was produced in Dongshan, on the East side of Dongting Mountain.

After the leaves are harvested, they're allowed to wither before shaping and firing occur. The leaves are rolled around a hot wok. This process slowly dries the tea and starts killing the enzyme to promotes oxidation all while shaping the tea. This allows the tea to retain its green color. The white downy hair on the tips becomes more apparent as the wok firing continues.

When the tea producers think the tea has dried enough during the first phase of production the wok heat is lowered. Handfuls of tea are then scooped up and rolled around before dropping it back onto the wok. This step continues until the tea has been rolled into small curls and the tea is dry. 

Origin: Dongting, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China
Harvest date: 3/16/2024
Varietal: Dongtingchun
Classification: Green tea
Flavor notes: Velvety, creamy, toasted almond, sweet, and vegetal.

Recommended brewing:
3.5g of tea; 120ml of water
80 degrees celcius
1.5 minute first infusion