Biluochun facts for kids
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| Type: | Green |
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| Other names: | |
| Origin: | Dongting Mountains, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China |
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| Quick description: | A green tea with a strong aroma and a light floral taste. |
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Quick facts for kids Biluochun |
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| Chinese | 碧螺春 | ||||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | Bìluóchūn | ||||||||||||||
| Cantonese Yale | Bīklòchēun | ||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Green Snail Spring | ||||||||||||||
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Biluochun or Bi Luo Chun (Chinese: 碧螺春; pinyin: Bì luó chūn) is a very famous green tea from China. It first grew in the Dongting mountain area near Lake Tai in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. This tea is special because of its pretty look, fruity taste, and flowery smell. It also has tiny white hairs on its leaves and is picked very early in the spring.
Contents
What is Biluochun Tea?
A Special Green Tea
Biluochun is known as one of China's best green teas. It has a fresh, light taste that many people love. The tea leaves are rolled into a tight spiral shape. This unique shape helps give the tea its special name.
What Does the Name Mean?
The name Biluochun means "green snail spring." It got this name for a few reasons. First, it is a green tea. Second, the leaves are rolled into a tight spiral, which looks a bit like a snail. Third, it is picked in the early spring, when the tea is at its freshest.
Its first name was Xia Sha Ren Xiang, which means "scary fragrance." This name came from its very strong and wonderful smell.
A Royal Tea Story
How Biluochun Got Its Name
Long ago, during the Qing Dynasty, a powerful emperor named Kangxi Emperor visited Lake Tai. This was in the 38th year of his rule. The local people offered him this amazing tea. They called it "Scary Fragrance" because its smell was so strong and delightful.
The Kangxi Emperor thought the name "Scary Fragrance" was not elegant enough for such a fine tea. So, he decided to give it a new, more beautiful name. He called it "Green Snail Spring," or Biluochun. This new name stuck, and that is what we call this tea today.
Where Does Biluochun Grow?
The Best Growing Spots
Today, Biluochun tea is still grown in the Dongting Mountains near Lake Tai in Suzhou, Jiangsu. The very best Biluochun comes from two specific areas: Dong Shan (East Mountain) or Xi Shan (West Mountain). These places have the perfect conditions for growing this delicate tea.
Different Kinds of Biluochun
While the best Biluochun comes from Suzhou, it is also grown in other places like Zhejiang and Sichuan provinces. However, tea from these other regions can be a bit different. Their tea leaves might be larger and not as uniform. They can sometimes have yellow leaves mixed in. The taste might also be more nutty instead of fruity and smooth.
How Much Tea is Made?
Biluochun tea is very delicate and tender. To make just one kilogram of Dong Ting Bi Luo Chun, tea makers need to pick about 14,000 to 15,000 tiny tea shoots! This shows how much care goes into producing this special tea.
How is Biluochun Graded?
Understanding Tea Quality
Biluochun tea is sorted into different quality levels, called grades. There are seven main grades, with the highest quality at the top. The grades are:
- Supreme
- Supreme I
- Grade I
- Grade II
- Grade III
- Chao Qing I
- Chao Qing II
The "Supreme" grade is the very best, meaning it has the finest leaves and the most amazing flavor. As you go down the list, the quality decreases slightly. This grading system helps tea lovers know what kind of Biluochun they are buying.
