Huangshan Maofeng Tea: Guide to China's Famous Tea

Huangshan Maofeng tea is one of China's top ten teas. When you travel to Huangshan, we highly recommend tasting a cup of Maofeng tea. For a more in-depth experience, you can watch a tea ceremony or try picking tea leaves. We will now introduce the features of Huangshan Maofeng, tea culture experiences, as well as tips on how to choose and brew the tea.

Roasting Huangshan Maofeng Tea

What is Huangshan Maofeng Tea

Huangshan Maofeng Tea For Sale

Huangshan Maofeng tea is a famous Chinese green tea, primarily produced in the high-altitude tea gardens of Huangshan in Anhui Province. It is usually harvested between the Qingming and Guyu periods (early to late April), which is when the tea leaves are at their most tender and aromatic. If you travel to Huangshan during this time, you can enjoy or buy the freshest seasonal tea.

The tea is usually made from young tea buds with one or two fresh leaves. The buds are covered with tiny white hairs that look like a sparrow's tongue. After brewing, the tea has a clear, light-green color, a fresh smell, and a sweet, smooth taste.

The making process is meticulous. Farmers hand-pick the young buds, then heat, roll, and lightly dry them to keep their natural fragrance and fresh flavor. 

Where to Experience Maofeng Tea in Huangshan

Xieyuda Ecological Tea Garden

You can experience tea tasting and a traditional tea ceremony at various teahouses in Huangshan, for example, those located on Tunxi Ancient Street. The tea artist, often dressed in traditional clothing, will use fine porcelain to show you the brewing steps for Huangshan Maofeng. After the performance is complete, you can take photos of the final brew and then drink it.

Access to the high-altitude tea gardens for personal picking is not allowed, as they are either protected natural areas or private farms. Nevertheless, if you are eager to experience hand-picking tea, you can go to the Xieyuda Ecological Tea Garden. This museum provides experiential activities where you can pick and process tea leaves. The leaves here are mainly for the demonstration and are not the fine, young buds used for high-grade commercial tea, but the activity is a perfect way to gain insight into the traditional tea-making steps.

Extend Your Journey:

Beyond the tea experiences at teahouses and the tea garden, consider visiting other Huangshan attractions, such as the Huangshan Scenic Area (Yellow Mountain) and Hongcun Village. Huangshan Scenic Area is known for its magnificent views, including a sea of clouds and strange stones. You can choose to hike or take a cable car up the mountain to appreciate the natural splendor. Hongcun Village is an ancient village with typical Hui-style architecture, where South Lake and Moon Pond are the most representative attractions.

What Are the Benefits of Maofeng Tea

Huangshan Maofeng tea contains various beneficial components that can help refresh the mind, relieve fatigue, and support metabolism. Regular, reasonable drinking may also offer cosmetic benefits, such as delaying the aging of skin and enhancing overall immunity. When you travel in Huangshan, a cup of Maofeng tea can also make your mouth feel fresh after eating oily food.

However, since Maofeng tea is a type of green tea and has a cooling nature, it's not good to drink it on an empty stomach or if you have a weak stomach. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children should also avoid drinking too much.

How to Choose and Brew Maofeng Tea

Tea Sets For Brewing Maofeng Tea

When selecting Huangshan Maofeng tea, pay attention to both the shape and the smell of the leaves. Quality Maofeng tea has thin, straight leaves, a bright color (tender green or yellowish-green), and is covered in many fine white hairs. The dry tea should have a fresh, clean fragrance. When buying, be careful not to choose leaves with a dark color or a stale, old smell, as this suggests a lack of freshness.

For brewing Maofeng tea, the recommended water temperature is between 75℃ and 85℃ (the more tender the tea leaves, the lower the temperature should be). If the water is too hot, it can burn the tea and make it taste bitter. If it's too cool, the tea won't release its nice smell. It's suggested to use a clear glass cup and pour the water slowly along the side. This way, you can watch the tea leaves open and see the color change. Maofeng tea can generally be brewed 2 to 3 times. For top-grade tea, the second brew usually tastes the best, while later ones become lighter.

Drink Maofeng Tea in Huangshan

Make tea tasting part of your perfect Huangshan trip! China Odyssey Tours specializes in customized trips, providing you with a private car and an English-speaking guide. We tailor the itinerary to your interests, allowing you to appreciate the beautiful scenery of Huangshan while also gaining a deep understanding of the local tea culture. Contact us or email us at trip@odynovotours.com now to begin your Huangshan journey.