Tea-drinking practices evolved over centuries, with significant developments during the Tang and Song Dynasties. Tea, in terms of shape and processing as we know it today, started emerging during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, around the 12th–13th centuries. Before then, tea was brewed in a whole other manner. Tea leaves were ground into powder and whisked with hot water – a practice somewhat similar to Japanese matcha, which actually evolved from Song Dynasty tea preparation. In the distant past, this also involved the addition of other herbs and spices that had medicinal properties. The idea of a "Top Ten Teas of China" is a modern concept that has evolved through many unofficial versions, often based on teas once favored by emperors or scholars.
Drinking powdered tea became immensely popular during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). During this time, tea became a significant part of everyday life. Exceptional tea was gifted as a tribute.
It wasn't until the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) that people started oxidizing and brewing the tea leaves as we do today. By that time, powdered tea had receded, and loose leaf tea had taken its place.
China's Top Ten Teas
The list of China's top ten teas first appeared in 1915 at the Panama World Expo. Since then, it has undergone many changes. For our version of it in this blog post, we cross-referenced multiple sources, and the following teas have appeared in most of them. Our list consists of exceptional teas which were either enjoyed by the Emperors, offered as tribute, or modern-day teas which have won special awards. You may notice that many of these teas are green teas, which originated during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
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Xihu Long Jing Dragon Well Green Tea
Dragon Well tea also holds the not-so-humble nickname "China's Most Famous Tea." While there are a couple of Long Jing varieties based on their growing and production areas, only Xihu (West Lake) Long Jing earns a spot on the top ten list.
Those who have tried Longjing green tea can't help but fall in love with it. It's truly an exceptional green tea without a rival. West Lake Dragon Well Green Tea is often served to VIP guests and heads of state visiting China. It's produced in the West Lake area of Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province.
Long Jing has held the honor of being chosen as a tribute to the Qing Dynasty by Emperor Qian Long. Read more
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Bi Luo Chun Green Snail Green Tea
Bi Luo Chun (was highly revered by the Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi. It hails from the Dongting mountains of Jiangsu Province, China.
Bi Luo Chun is renowned for its potent fruity aroma and mellow flavor. A plantation growing Bi Luo Chun combines tea bushes with a variety of fragrant fruit trees, giving the tea its distinct fruity aroma and taste. This tea is made only from the tips of tea leaves, through a very scrupulous process that results in its tightly rolled shape.
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Huang Shan Mao Feng Yellow Mountain Green Tea
Huang Shan Mao Feng originated during the Qing Dynasty. This exceptional green tea is grown at high altitudes in the Huangshan Mountains of Anhui Province, China. Huang Shan Mao Feng tea bushes are unique because they grow wildly, with no two tea bushes being the same. Huang Shan is renowned for its sweet and mellow taste, somewhat resembling Long Jing.
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Lu An Gua Pian Melon Seeds Green Tea
Lu An Gua Pian is a famous green tea from Lu An, Anhui province, China. It's a relatively new tea, originating in 1905.
What differentiates it from most other green teas is the sweet taste overlaid with an almost smoky, spicy tang. It has the green tea's signature vegetal taste, but the grassiness is not overbearing.
Lu An Gua Pian is not an early spring tea. Instead of plucking the earliest spring buds, Melon Seeds makers wait until the buds mature and unfold. Only then will they get individually picked. For this tea, only the pure leaf is used — no stems, no buds.
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Xin Yang Mao Jian Green Tea
Xin Yang Mao Jian comes from Xinyang, Henan province. This tea was exceptionally revered during the Qing Dynasty and still holds a special place in tea drinkers' hearts.
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Du Yun Mao Jian Green Tea
Du Yun Mao Jian comes from Duyun County, Guizhou Province. During the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen favored this green tea, which eventually became a tribute tea.
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Anxi Tie Guan Yin Iron Goddess Oolong Tea
Anxi Tie Guan Yin is a world-renowned, delicious, and mellow oolong tea hailing from Anxi, Fujian province. Anxi Tie Guan Yin originated during the Qing Dynasty and has a long, rich history.
Compared to other Chinese teas, Tie Guan Yin's production process is the most complicated, and the heavy tossing (yaoqing) is considered the most crucial step. It is a key stage in forming the Guan Yin Yun (观音韵) and the distinctive floral fragrance of Tie Guan Yin, which makes it unique.
Traditional Tie Guan Yin has a higher degree of oxidation than most other oolong teas. Its mellow, soft, and long-lasting lingering taste will make you crave more. Read more.
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Yancha Wuyi Rock Tea
Wuyi Rock Teas, also known as yancha, are all rare yet delicious oolong teas. While Da Hong Pao is the most well-known throughout the world, there are a few other yancha varieties that might win over your heart. Either way, they are all worth tasting. What makes them exceptional is the "yan yun," loosely translated as "rock rhyme" — mineral, well-balanced, graceful. Read more.
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Imperial Keemun Black Tea
Keemun black tea's fresh leaves are loaded with nutrients. The processed dry leaves look neat and bold, having tiny golden tips. The taste — truly unforgettable — robust, malty, sweet, and floral. An exceptionally rich yet well-balanced tea.
Keemun black tea comes from Qimen County in Anhui Province and originated during the Qing Dynasty. It holds the reputation of being the finest black tea on Earth. The British Royal Family is known to enjoy drinking Keemun black tea.
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Lushan Yun Wu Clouds and Mist Green Tea
Moistened by the high mountain clouds and mist, Lu Shan Yun Wu is one of the most graceful green teas. This tea is characterized by a rich aroma and mellow, long-lasting flavor. Lu Shan Yun Wu leaves are rolled into small spirals during a unique process: the tea leaves are placed in a rounded bamboo basket and then rolled by hand into strips.