Huangshan Maofeng ranks among China's Top Ten Famous Teas and represents the finest premium grade of green tea.
It gets its name from its features: tender buds are fully covered with fine white fuzz, each tip stands sharp like a peak, and all fresh leaves are picked from high mountains of Huangshan. It is world-famous for its outstanding characteristics: high elegant aroma, mellow taste, clear liquor and glossy tender leaves.
🍃 History & Origin Legend The creation of Huangshan Maofeng is closely linked to a tea merchant named Xie Zheng'an (courtesy name Jinghe). Around 1875 during the Guangxu Period of the Qing Dynasty, in order to expand tea markets, he handpicked plump tender leaves from Huangshan mountains. After elaborate processing, he developed this uniquely flavored tea called Maofeng, which was later named Huangshan Maofeng after its producing region. Actually the history of this tea goes back much earlier. According to Records of Huangshan Mountain, a renowned tea called Huangshan Cloud Mist Tea was produced here in the Ming Dynasty. It shares nearly identical quality features with today's Huangshan Maofeng, and is widely regarded as its earliest prototype.
🌱 Producing Area & Growing Environment The core production zone covers Huangshan Scenic Area and surrounding territories in Anhui Province. This area belonged to ancient Huizhou, so Huangshan Maofeng is also counted as classic Huizhou tea. Tea grown in Taohua Peak, Yungu Temple, Ciguang Pavilion, Chongchuan and Tangkou produces the most superior quality.
The region features high mountains and thick forests with mild and humid weather covered in mist all year round, creating an ideal growing environment for tea bushes.
🍵 Quality Traits & Grading The quality of Huangshan Maofeng is judged by its unique shape, color, aroma and taste.
• Shape: The tea strips are thin and flat just like sparrow tongues. Buds and leaves are plump and neat with obvious silvery fine hairs.
• Color: Fresh green mixed with light yellow and glossy surface. Top-grade tea has two exclusive marks: ivory-like color and golden fish leaves.
• Aroma: Fresh and lasting fragrance with elegant orchid notes.
• Liquor: Crystal clear pale yellowish-green tea soup.
• Taste: Rich, fresh, mellow and sweet with a very long sweet aftertaste.
• Infused leaves: Brewed leaves are tender yellow, plump and intact with bright vitality. According to national standards, Huangshan Maofeng is classified into four grades: Special Grade, Grade One, Grade Two and Grade Three, with Special Grade being the finest. Grades are decided by picking standards and processing precision. Higher grades use younger tender shoots; Special Grade is mainly made of newly opened one bud and one leaf, presenting the best appearance and flavor.
👨🍳 Production Procedures Huangshan Maofeng adopts delicate craftsmanship consisting of three core steps: fixation, rolling and drying (charcoal baking).
• Fixation: Fresh leaves are heated quickly in hot woks to deactivate enzymes, the key procedure to keep green tea's green leaves and clear liquor.
• Rolling: Leaves are gently twisted by hand to form tight strips and take shape.
• Baking: Traditional craftsmen use bamboo baskets and charcoal fire for two separate slow baking processes: preliminary drying and final thorough drying, so the tea's natural aroma can be perfectly locked inside.
