Gou Gu Nao Green Tea is a special and cherished product of Suichuan County in Jiangxi Province, China. It is classified as a Chinese National Geographic Indication product. This exceptional tea hails from the Gou Gu Nao Mountain in Tanghu Town, Suichuan County, situated at the southern foothills of the Luoxiao Mountains. The mountain, with its shape resembling a dog’s head, gives the tea its distinctive name. The history of Gou Gu Nao Green Tea dates back to the late Ming Dynasty, making it over 300 years old. In 1983, it was recognized as a prestigious tea from Jiangxi Province, and in 1985, it earned the title of an excellent tea. Subsequently, it was sent to the National Tea Exhibition for evaluation and recognition. Gou Gu Nao Green Tea is renowned for its delicate, uniform tea leaves, showcasing a delicate emerald green with a hint of jade. The leaves are covered in a layer of fine, tender white hairs, and each serving typically consists of five to seven leaves. When brewed, the tea yields a clear, golden liquor with a refreshing, aromatic, and sweet taste that lingers on the palate.
History
The origins of Gou Gu Nao Green Tea can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty, almost 200 years ago. Legend has it that in the first year of the Jiaqing Emperor’s reign (1796), a timber worker named Liang was caught in a mishap while floating timber rafts, leading to his drift to Nanjing. The following year, he and his wife returned to their hometown with tea seeds, purchased a stone cottage on the Xie family’s rocky hill, and started cultivating tea, marking the inception of Gou Gu Nao tea production.
In the fourth year of the Republic of China (1915), a tea merchant from Suichuan County named Li Yushan used fresh tea leaves from Gou Gu Nao Mountain to produce three different types of tea: Silver Needle, Sparrow’s Tongue, and Pearl Tea, each weighing one kilogram. These teas were sent to the Panama International Exposition held in San Francisco, where they received both a gold medal and a certificate from the international judging committee. This victory earned Gou Gu Nao Green Tea the title of “Top Green Tea.”
In the nineteenth year of the Republic of China (1930), Li Yushan’s grandson, Li Wenlong, renamed the tea “Yushan Tea” and exhibited it at the Zhejiang-Jiangxi Specialty Exhibition, where it received first-class recognition. These awards and the tea’s unique qualities contributed to the growing fame of Gou Gu Nao Green Tea. Over time, “Yushan Tea” was renamed “Gou Gu Nao Green Tea.”
Brewing Method
Brewing Gou Gu Nao Green Tea is a delightful ritual that brings out the best in its flavor and aroma. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Depending on your personal preference, take 3-4 grams of dried tea leaves and place them in a teacup.
- Pour a small amount of hot water (around 90°C) into the cup to wet the tea leaves, and immediately pour it out.
- At this point, you can already smell the aroma of the tea in the cup. Now, pour an appropriate amount of hot water into the cup without covering it.
- After 2-3 minutes, when the tea leaves have fully absorbed the water and expanded, you can enjoy your tea while it’s hot.
- As you drink and only 1/3 of the tea remains in the cup, you can add more hot water for subsequent infusions.
- You can repeat this process 3-4 times to enjoy multiple infusions of the tea.
Health Benefits
Gou Gu Nao Green Tea offers a wealth of health benefits due to its rich content of various trace elements and nutrients. It helps maintain the body’s physiological balance, exhibits antioxidant properties, boosts the immune system, and guards against osteoporosis. Furthermore, it can elevate your mood and enhance mental alertness.
In addition to these benefits, Gou Gu Nao Green Tea has diuretic and detoxifying properties, as well as the ability to strengthen the heart and relieve spasms. It aids in digestion and combats excessive oiliness. The polyphenols found in Gou Gu Nao Green Tea possess antioxidant properties that can inhibit cellular aging and increase the activity of superoxide dismutase, helping to combat the free radicals that cause cell and tissue damage during the body’s metabolic processes. Regular consumption of this tea freshens your breath, combats fatigue, and helps keep you hydrated.
Gou Gu Nao Green Tea is particularly suitable for individuals who are long-term smokers or heavy drinkers, those experiencing heat, thirst, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty urinating, and those who consume an excess of dairy products. It is also recommended for people with conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and those who consume excessive fatty foods or alcohol.
In conclusion, Gou Gu Nao Green Tea is more than just a delightful beverage; it’s a testament to history and a source of numerous health benefits. With its rich tradition and delicious flavor, it’s no wonder that this tea has captured the hearts of tea enthusiasts both in China and around the world. So, the next time you brew a cup of Gou Gu Nao Green Tea, savor not only its taste but also the centuries of history and health that it brings to your life.
