The
name Tunlu is a contraction for Tunxi Green, refering to various
teas well known on the Hongkong and foreign markets since early in
this century. Tunxi is a mountain city located where the
southernmost corner of Anhui province meets Zhejiang and Jiangxi
provinces. Once, all the tea from a large surrounding area in the
three provinces was brought there for processing and shipping. Since
1949 some of the areas have been producing tea under their own
names, including Wulu and Suilu (Wuyuan county, Jiangxi and Sui'an,
once a county in Zhejiang).
Tunlu
tea may still be remembered in some countries by the names under
which it was once known: Special Tribute in Russia, Chunmee (Chunmei,
Zhenmei, Precious Eyebrow) and Oolong Chunmee in Europe, and Fengmei
(Phoenix Eyebrow), E'mei (Moth's Eyebrow), and Xiamu (Shrimp's Eyes)
in the U.S.
In 1960 the varieties were renamed in order of quality as:
Chunmee, fine taut, eyebrow-shaped strips with strong fragrance and
mellow taste, outstanding among green teas and popular both in China
and abroad; Gongxi (Tribute to Emperor Kang Xi), shaped like grains
of various sizes; Xiumei (Elegant Eyebrow); and Fuxi (Supplementary
Tribute).
