A
small snowstorm among the swirling green leaves in the cup is
created by the prominent white hairs on the leaves of this tea,
hence the name.
Old
books describe it as one of the famous tribute teas presented to the
emperors as early as the Eastern Jin dynasty (A.D. 317 - 420) and on
up through Ming and Qing. If this information is reliable, it dates
the beginning of tribute tea much earlier than the usually accepted
time during the reign of Emperor Tang Tai Zong (626-649). However,
the word generally translated as "tribute," a euphemism for a form
of taxation, is often used rather loosely to mean "gift."
This rather rare tea is not available abroad or indeed in many
parts of China. It is sold only near the place where it is grown,
Mt. jingting in eastern Anhui province. But if you ever find
yourself near the cities of Suzhou or Zhenjiang in nearby Jiangsu
province, you must smaple its fresh, aromatic taste, and might want
to take some home.
