Baozhong tea facts for kids
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| Type: | Between green and oolong |
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| Other names: | Pouchong |
| Origin: | Fujian and Taiwan |
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| Quick description: | Acidic floral fragrance; rich, mild melony taste |
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Quick facts for kids Baozhong tea |
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| Chinese | 包種茶 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Wrapped kind | ||||||||||
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Baozhong tea, also known as Pouchong, is a special kind of tea. It's somewhere between green tea and oolong tea. This tea is only lightly oxidized, which means its leaves are exposed to air for a short time after picking. This process gives it a fresh, floral smell.
Baozhong tea leaves are twisted into a rope-like shape. Unlike some other teas, it's usually not roasted. This helps it keep its fresh, light flavors. You can find this tea mainly in Fujian, China, and in Pinglin District, New Taipei, Taiwan.
The name "Baozhong" means "wrapped kind" in Chinese. This name comes from an old way of drying the tea leaves. Long ago, tea makers would wrap the leaves in paper. This helped them dry properly. Today, tea processing has improved, so they don't usually wrap the leaves anymore.
When Baozhong tea is at its best, it smells like flowers and melon. It also has a rich, mild taste. The best time to pick this famous "spring tea" in Taiwan is usually around the end of March.
Before the year 1873, oolong tea was very popular in China and Taiwan. But then, there was a time when people bought less oolong tea. So, some tea companies stopped making it. They moved their tea production from Taiwan to Fuzhou and started making Baozhong tea instead. People sometimes call Baozhong tea "flower tea" because of its wonderful smell.
Baozhong Tea in Taiwan
During the 1800s, farmers in Taiwan learned how to grow Baozhong tea. They brought tea trees and growing methods from Fujian, China. The name "Baozhong" means "wrapped tea," which refers to how it used to be packaged in paper.
Today, the most famous types of Baozhong tea come from the Nankang and Wenshan areas. This tea has been made since about 1885. Wenshan Baozhong Tea is one of the ten most popular teas in Taiwan.
What Makes Baozhong Tea Special?
Baozhong tea leaves look like curled-up ropes. They have a deep green color with tiny grayish-white spots. The tea is oxidized between 8% and 12%. This light oxidation gives it a delicate smell, much like fresh flowers.
When you taste Baozhong tea, it's not harsh. It has a sweet flavor that feels smooth and refreshing.
