Silver fuzz reveals emerald green: a cup of Huangshan Mao Feng, a wisp of cloud and mist swirling.

Silver fuzz reveals emerald green: a cup of Huangshan Mao Feng, half a scroll of misty clouds.

"Sir, this tea of yours is truly wonderful!" A simple, elderly tea farmer, speaking in Mandarin with a slight Anhui accent, exclaimed about the Huangshan Mao Feng in my hand. I looked up and saw him sitting in a teahouse at the foot of Huangshan Mountain, scooping up a bowl of steaming tea with a wooden spoon and offering it to a passing tourist. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, bathing his weathered face in a golden glow.

Huangshan Mao Feng: A Sprite Amidst the Clouds

Huangshan Mao Feng, a prized green tea, is produced in the Huangshan scenic area of Anhui Province. A beautiful legend surrounds its origin. It is said that during tea harvesting season, Huangshan is shrouded in clouds and mist. Tea farmers pick tea buds amidst the clouds and mist, and the buds are covered with a layer of white fuzz, appearing as if veiled in a thin gauze. Believing this fuzz to be a natural growth on the tea buds themselves, they named this type of bud "Bai Hao" (white hair), which later evolved into "Huangshan Mao Feng." Whether the legend is true or not, it adds a layer of mystique to this cup of tea.

Exploring the Flavors of Huangshan: Harmony of Mountains, Water, People, and Tea

The unique flavor of Huangshan Mao Feng is inseparable from Huangshan's unparalleled natural environment. Huangshan is renowned for its unique pine trees, grotesque rocks, seas of clouds, and hot springs. Here, the mountains are high, the water is abundant, the soil is fertile, and the climate is mild and humid, making it exceptionally suitable for tea cultivation. The mineral content of the Huangshan mountain range nourishes the tea, imparting its distinctive taste and aroma.

However, a good natural environment alone is not enough. The quality of Huangshan Mao Feng also depends on the hard work and superb skills of the tea farmers. From the selection of tea tree varieties to the time and method of harvesting, and to every step of the production process, it embodies the wisdom and dedication of the tea farmers.

Harvesting: After the spring rain, tender buds emerge.

The harvesting time for Huangshan Mao Feng is very strict, limited to around the Qingming Festival, which is the time of year for the most tender spring tea. Tea farmers must wait until after the spring rain, when the tender buds on the tea trees have just begun to open, carefully plucking these tea leaves full of spring's essence. The standard for harvesting is very high; the buds must be plump, uniform, and the down on the buds must be undamaged.

Craftsmanship, creating excellence.

The harvested tea leaves need to go through a series of complex processes including fixing, rolling, initial shaping, and drying. Each step is crucial; even a slight mistake can affect the quality of the tea.

• Fixing: Using high temperatures to quickly destroy enzymes in the tea leaves, stopping the growth of the tea, and preserving its freshness.
• Rolling: Through rolling, the tea leaf cells are broken, releasing the tea's internal substances, laying the foundation for shaping and aroma formation.
• Initial Shaping: Adjusting the moisture content of the tea leaves to make their shape more beautiful.
• Drying: Through drying, the moisture content of the tea leaves is reduced, making the quality more stable.

The production process of Huangshan Mao Feng emphasizes the mastery of "roasting time/heat level." Too high heat level will make the tea bitter; too low heat level will cause the tea to lose its unique aroma. Only experienced tea makers can accurately master the roasting time/heat level and produce high-quality Huangshan Mao Feng.

Experience Huangshan Mao Feng: Savor the fragrance and sweetness.

A cup of Huangshan Mao Feng has a jade green color, a refreshing aroma, a sweet taste, and an endless aftertaste. Experiencing Huangshan Mao Feng is not just tasting a cup of tea, but also feeling the beautiful scenery of Huangshan and the hard work of the tea farmers.

Tea tasting tips

For beginners, tasting Huangshan Mao Feng can follow these steps:

• Choose suitable tea ware: You can choose white porcelain cups or a Gaiwan to better observe the color of the tea leaves and the clarity of the tea liquor.
• Control the water temperature: The water temperature should not be too high, it is recommended to use water around 80-85°C.
• Control the brewing time: The brewing time should not be too long, generally about 30 seconds is enough.
• Savor carefully: When tasting, you can first smell its aroma, then observe its color, and finally carefully savor its taste.

Huangshan Mao Feng is a calling card of Huangshan, and a brilliant pearl in Chinese tea culture. We hope you can also experience the profoundness of Chinese tea culture in the process of tasting Huangshan Mao Feng.