Chinese Famous Green Tea Bi Luo Chun Green Snail

The Bi luo chun green tea is renowned for its full taste and lingering floral aroma. Its name, literally translated as "blue snail spring", is inspired by its delicate spiral shape that resembles a snail house. Bi Luo Chun, like other types of Green Tea, helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, dental cavities, kidney stones, and cancer, while improving bone density and cognitive function. In addition, it boosts metabolism and has significant slimming effects. Its unique aromatic flavor also brings unusual calming effects.

Its original name is Xia Sha Ren Xiang "scary fragrance", legend tells of its discovery by a tea picker who ran out of space in her basket and put the tea between her breasts instead. The tea, warmed by her body heat, emitted a strong aroma that surprised the girl. According to the Qing Dynasty chronicle Ye Shi Da Guan, the Kangxi Emperor visited Lake Tai in the 38th year of his rule. At that time, because of its rich aroma, local people called it "Scary Fragrance". The Kangxi Emperor decided to give it a more elegant name, "Green Snail Spring". It is so delicate and tender that one kilogram of Dong Ting Bi Luo Chun consists of 14,000 to 15,000 tea shoots. Today, Biluochun is cultivated in Dongting Mountains near Lake Tai in Suzhou, Jiangsu. Biluochun from Dong Shan (East Mountain) or Xi Shan (West Mountain) is considered the best. Biluochun is also grown in Zhejiang and Sichuan province. Their leaves are larger and less uniform (may contain yellow leaves). They taste more nutty than fruity and smooth. Biluochun is divided into seven grades in decreasing order of quality: Supreme, Supreme I, Grade I, Grade II, Grade III, Chao Qing I, and Chao Qing II.

We recommend to steep Bi luo chun at a temperature of 85ºC (185ºF) or even lower, when you brew this green tea in a large teapot or mug, use 3-4 grams of leaves and let it steep for 3-4 minutes. Alternatively, brew this tea in a traditional Chinese gaiwan. In this case, use 6-8 grams of tea to enjoy up to 12 brews. Apply a brewing time of about 20 seconds. You can slowly increase the brewing time after the 4th steep.

You may adjust the brewing parameters as according to taste. If you find the tea too strong, you may either lower the temperature or shorten the brewing time.