Huoshan Huangya Tea (霍山黄芽), a specialty of Huoshan County in Anhui province, is a tea of great distinction. Its slender and straight leaves, yellow-green color with abundant downy hairs, enduring aroma, bright yellow-green liquor, rich and mellow flavor with a sweet aftertaste, and slightly yellow and bright leaf base collectively make this tea truly exceptional.
Historical Significance
Huoshan Huangya is an esteemed member of the long lineage of Chinese teas, with its history dating back to the Western Han Dynasty, as recorded in Sima Qian’s “Records of the Grand Historian.” Legend has it that Princess Yuzhen Li Cuilian, the younger sister of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, resided in a temple on the Gualong Peak in Huoshan after becoming a nun. Having a deep-rooted love for tea from a very young age, she had sampled almost all the famous teas from across the country.
Huoshan is renowned for producing exceptional Huangya teas, and even during her spiritual duties, Princess Yuzhen would lead her fellow nuns in picking and processing tea leaves. Upon learning of a particularly fine tea variety produced at Baor Peak, she led her entourage to the location each spring before Guyu (Grain Rain) and carefully processed the leaves into tea.
In 641 AD, Princess Wencheng, a daughter of Emperor Taizong, was set to marry Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. Princess Yuzhen personally prepared the tea she had picked on Baor Peak and presented it to her brother, Emperor Taizong, for his approval. After the emperor tasted it, he bestowed the name “Baorzhongxiu” (抱儿钟秀) upon it and included it in the imperial tribute tea list, with an annual contribution of 150 kilograms.
Brewing Method
To make the most of Huoshan Huangya tea, it’s essential to follow a precise brewing method:
Step 1: Prepare your tea utensils. It is recommended to use a transparent, colorless glass cup to appreciate the tea’s color and the unfurling tea leaves. You’ll also need a kettle to boil water.
Step 2: Choose the right water. It’s best to use soft water like spring water or stream water for brewing any tea. If you’re using tap water, allow it to sit undisturbed for 24 hours before boiling it to ensure any chlorine has evaporated. For Huoshan Huangya, opt for clear, sweet, and mineral-rich water.
Step 3: Boil the water. Place mineral water in a kettle and bring it to a fast boil. Once boiled, let it cool to approximately 80 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for brewing Huoshan Huangya tea.
Step 4: Cleanse the cup. Use hot water to rinse your glass cup to ensure it is clean and sanitized. This also serves to warm the cup.
Step 5: Add the tea. The ratio of tea leaves to water is crucial for achieving a perfectly balanced flavor. For brewing Huoshan Huangya, a standard ratio is about 1:50, meaning approximately 2 grams of Huoshan Huangya tea leaves for every 100 milliliters of water.
Step 6: Pre-infuse the tea. Before pouring the hot water directly onto the tea leaves, gently pour a small amount of hot water around the sides of the cup, filling about one-fourth of the cup’s capacity. Let it infuse for approximately 30 seconds. This helps the Huoshan Huangya tea leaves absorb water and expand, facilitating the release of their flavor.
Step 7: Brew the tea. Pour the hot water from a height into the cup until it’s about seven-eighths full. This action encourages the tea leaves to rise and fall in the water, allowing their essential compounds to quickly infuse into the liquid.
Health Benefits
Huoshan Huangya tea offers a host of health benefits, making it not just a flavorful beverage but also a natural source of well-being:
1. Rejuvenation and Mental Clarity: Huoshan Huangya tea, with its caffeine content, has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. This can help increase alertness and improve concentration, making it a refreshing choice, particularly in dry and hot weather.
2. Cardiovascular Health and Weight Management: The tea’s components, including tea polyphenols and amino acids, contribute to accelerated lipid metabolism. This aids in breaking down and eliminating fats from the body, while also inhibiting the body’s absorption of fats, ultimately leading to improved cardiovascular health and potential weight management.
3. Anti-Cancer and Anti-Aging Effects: Certain compounds present in Huoshan Huangya tea have been associated with cancer prevention. Additionally, the tea’s tea polyphenols act as potent antioxidants, eliminating free radicals and delaying the aging process.
4. Oral Health and Gastrointestinal Benefits: Huoshan Huangya tea is known to improve oral hygiene, combat bad breath, and eliminate oral bacteria. It also aids in digestion, promoting gastrointestinal health.
In summary, Huoshan Huangya tea, with its rich history and health benefits, not only serves as a delightful beverage but also as a source of physical and mental well-being. Its cultural significance and unique flavor make it a cherished part of China’s tea heritage. Whether you are savoring its taste or enjoying its potential health-promoting qualities, Huoshan Huangya tea stands as a testament to the enduring tradition of Chinese tea.
