Lu'an Guapian (Lu'an Melon Seed)

Lù'ān Guā Piàn · 六安瓜片

Lu'an Guapian — "Lu'an Melon Seed" — is one of the Ten Famous Chinese Teas and a singular processing tradition: rather than plucking the new bud, makers use only the second mature leaf on each branch, remove the central vein from each leaf by hand, then pan-fire and shape the leaves before baking them repeatedly. The resulting flat oval leaves (the "melon seed" shape) are among the most labour-intensive green teas in China to produce.

Quick facts

Origin: China
Region: Lu'an
Harvest year: 2025
Harvest season: spring

Brewing

Leaf: 3.5 g / 100 ml
Water: 85°C
Rinse: no
Gongfu steeps (s): 25, 35, 50, 75
Western (min): 3.0

Tolerates slightly hotter water than most green teas because the leaves are mature (second-leaf) and repeatedly baked.

Calculate leaf weight for this tea

Tasting notes

Aroma: toasted nut, sweet hay
Flavor: round, mellow, faintly toasty
Mouthfeel: thick, smooth
Finish: long, sweet

History

Lu'an Guapian was a Qing-dynasty (1644–1911) "tribute tea" (gong cha) presented to the imperial court; it is documented as enjoyed by the Guangxu Emperor (r. 1875–1908) and Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908).