Biluochun is a famous Chinese tea, belonging to the green tea category, produced in the Dongting Mountain area of Taihu Lake in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. It is usually harvested in spring and is made from young shoots and leaves through a unique tea-making process. Biluochun tea leaves are curved and short, and the tea soup presents a light yellow to yellow-green color, exuding a fresh and pleasant aroma, and the taste is fresh and sweet. Below we will look at the characteristics and value of Biluochun from multiple perspectives.
1. Origin and history
Biluochun is produced in the Dongting Mountain area of Taihu Lake in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, which is one of the famous tea producing areas in China, with a unique natural environment and a long history of tea culture. According to historical records, the cultivation and production of Biluochun began in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of several hundred years. During the Qing Dynasty, Biluochun was listed as a tribute and became the emperor's imperial drink. Therefore, Biluochun is also known as "the first tea in the world" and is a treasure of Chinese tea culture.
2. Picking and production process
The picking time of Biluochun is usually in the spring, when the buds and leaves on the tea trees have grown to a certain extent, and the picking work begins. During the harvesting process, it is necessary to select young shoots and leaves, and strictly control the timing and quantity of picking. Generally speaking, only a few dozen grams of tea leaves are picked per tea tree to ensure the quality of the tea leaves.
Biluochun's tea-making process is unique, mainly including picking, withering, finishing, rolling and drying. Among them, kneading is an important part of the tea making process of Biluochun, which requires the tea leaves to be kneaded into curved and short shapes. This unique shape allows Biluochun to spread out when brewing, so that the overall edible value of the tea can be brought into full play.
Third, quality characteristics
The quality characteristics of Biluochun are mainly manifested in the following aspects:
Appearance: Biluochun tea leaves are short, curved, spiral-shaped, emerald green in color, and the tea is exposed.
Aroma: Biluochun exudes a fresh and pleasant aroma with fragrant floral and fruity notes.
Soup color: After brewing, Biluochun's tea soup presents a light yellow to yellow-green color, clear and bright.
Palate: The taste of Biluochun is fresh and sweet, with a slight sweetness.
Nutritional value: Biluochun is rich in tea polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins and other nutrients, which has a variety of effects such as antioxidant, refreshing and reducing blood lipids.
Fourth, cultural values
As a famous tea with a long history, Biluochun has a close connection with traditional Chinese culture and art. Many ancient literati and writers have painted poems inscribed on Biluochun, leaving behind a lot of precious cultural heritage. For example, the Qing Dynasty writer Yuan Mei recorded the production method and characteristics of Biluochun in the "Suiyuan Food List", calling it "Kung Fu Tea". At the same time, Biluochun is also associated with many historical figures and cultural events, such as the story of the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty who tasted Biluochun when he went down to the south of the Yangtze River. These stories and legends have made Biluochun an important part of Chinese tea culture.
5. Edible value
Biluochun not only has rich cultural value, but also has high edible value. First of all, Biluochun is rich in a variety of nutrients, such as tea polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins, etc., which have various effects such as antioxidant, refreshing and reducing blood lipids. Secondly, the unique taste and aroma of Biluochun can make people feel happy and relaxed. In addition, Biluochun can also be used to make a variety of foods and drinks, such as Biluochun stewed chicken, Biluochun white fungus soup, etc. These delicacies and drinks are not only delicious but also have a great tonic effect.
6. Identification and purchase
When buying Biluochun, consumers should pay attention to the following:
Appearance: High-quality Biluochun tea leaves are short, curved, spiral-shaped, emerald green in color, and the tea is exposed. If the tea leaves are too large, straight, or too dull in color, they may be defective.
Aroma: Biluochun should exude a fresh and pleasant aroma with fragrant floral and fruity notes. If the aroma of the tea is insufficient, or there is a peculiar smell, it may be aged tea or poor quality tea.
Soup color: After brewing, the tea soup of Biluochun should show a light yellow to yellow-green color, clear and bright. If the soup is too cloudy or has impurities, it may be defective.
Palate: The taste of Biluochun is fresh and sweet, with a slight sweetness. If the tea has a bitter taste, or does not have a sweet aftertaste, it may be a poor quality tea.
Packaging: Regular Biluochun tea should be made of moisture-proof and anti-oxidation packaging materials to maintain the freshness and nutrients of the tea. If the tea is poorly packaged or has no labels, it may be a defective or counterfeit product.
7. Storage methods
Biluochun tea leaves need to be properly preserved to maintain their freshness and nutrient content. It is recommended to keep the tea leaves in a dry, dark, and ventilated place to avoid moisture and odors. At the same time, avoid placing the tea leaves in a high or low temperature environment to maintain its suitable temperature. If you need to preserve the tea for a long time, it is recommended to use packaging materials such as sealed bags or sealed cans to maintain the freshness and nutrients of the tea.
Biluochun belongs to the category of green tea, is one of the famous teas in China, produced in the Dongting Mountain area of Taihu Lake, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, is one of the traditional famous teas in China, with a unique origin and historical background, rich in nutrition and high edible value.