Perhaps the unusual appearance of this tea has contributed to its
position as one of the five best-known green teas inside China. The
processed leaves are shaped like melon seeds. This is a product of
Lu'an county in the Dabie Mountains of western Anhui province.
Instead of plucking two leaves and a bud as is customary for most
teas, the farmers have traditionally preferred to break off sections
of the branches (in a controlled way, let us hope) and separate the
leaves and buds at home. From the buds they make other varieties of
high-quality tea: Yinzhen (Silver Needles, make from the buds); from
the first leaf, Tipian (Emerging Plates); From the second leaf,
Guapian; and from the third, Meipian (Plum Blossom Petals).
A
special step in processing Guapian is heat-drying over alternately
low and high heat. This helps form the shape and adds to the strong,
fresh aroma of a sweet beverage with a long-lasting infusion.
