Review: Superfine Lu An Gua Pian
Lu An Gua Pian is a very unique and high quality green tea hailing from the Anhui province which literally translates into “melon seed tea”. It’s characterized by the shape of the tea leaves, which are flat and long. This tea is also quite labor intensive. Unlike many green teas which use the new bud or leaf tip, the second leaf on the branch is removed, deveined, and then pan-fried. Thanks to the kind folks at Petite Gaiwan for a chance to try this tea.
Tasting Notes
Brewing Instructions
Steep 2 grams or a heaping spoonful of tea for 1-2 minutes at 80°C/ 176°F.
Appearance
The leaves of this green tea are very striking in appearance. Each tea leaf has been flattened and then rolled lengthwise into one long cylindrical shape. The leaves are very consistent, evidencing all large full leaves in deep olive without many small fragments or other bits of tea leaves in the mix. The smell is intensely grassy and sweet.
The steeped leaves expand in the hot water and become a bright, grassy green.
Taste
The resulting tea is a bright, clear gold with a refreshing light body. The taste is grassy and slightly vegetal, but with only a minute and a half of steeping I found the flavor to be quite light. I’d recommend a little more time to allow the flavors to develop. It’s overall a pleasant and refreshing tea without any hints of bitterness or astringency.
Where to Buy
Find more information about this tea at the Petite Gaiwan website. The Petite Gaiwan is based in Switzerland.
