Lu An Gua Pian Premium Green Tea
Roasted chestnut and green bean from a tea with a thousand years of history behind its single leaf.
Lu'an Guapian has been written about since the Tang dynasty and was tribute tea in the Qing. This premium version is made from blade-only leaves and tastes of roasted chestnut, green bean and a mineral hint.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 30 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 12.5 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
Related reading
| Brewing method | Glass Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Single Flat Leaf |
| Water temperature | 176°F / 80°C |
| Target brew time | 2:00-3:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf green tea
- 240 g filtered water at 80°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 80°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 2:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 30 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Three or four infusions
A good Guapian keeps its roasted character through three or four infusions. Add a few seconds to each steep and keep the water at the same temperature.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Lu'an Guapian has been written about since the Tang dynasty and was tribute tea in the Qing. This premium version is made from blade-only leaves and tastes of roasted chestnut, green bean and a mineral hint. Brewed in a glass teapot at 80°C.
Origin & Story
Lu'an is a city in western Anhui Province, at the foot of the Dabie Mountains, and its tea has one of the longer paper trails in Chinese tea. Tea from Lu'an is said to have been written about as long ago as the Tang dynasty, in The Classic of Tea, and it was well known under the Ming. In the Qing dynasty it was sent to the imperial court as tribute tea.
It has a place in literature too. Guapian turns up repeatedly in Dream of the Red Chamber, the great 18th-century novel of a Qing-dynasty family, which gives some idea of how familiar the tea was to its readers. The city's name, written 六安 in Chinese, is pronounced both Lu'an and Liu'an, and both spellings appear on labels.
What reached the court was unusual tea. Guapian is made only from single leaf blades, with no bud and no stem, and a premium lot follows that rule strictly: the leaf is flat, oval, glossy and even. The cup tastes of roasted chestnut, green bean and a mineral hint, with a clean, warm finish that comes from the charcoal baking.
It is easy to enjoy at home. Use water at about 80°C, 3 g of leaf for 240 ml in a glass or porcelain vessel, and steep for two to three minutes. The leaves can be infused three or four times.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 72/100 |
| Acidity | 28/100 |
| Bitterness | 20/100 |
| Body | 50/100 |
| Aroma | 82/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Lu An Gua Pian Premium Green Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 30 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Lu An Gua Pian Premium Green Tea?
Target 80°C (176°F).
How long should Lu An Gua Pian Premium Green Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:00-3:00. Method: Glass Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter. Grind or leaf format: Single Flat Leaf.
Where is Lu'an Guapian from?
From Lu'an, a city in western Anhui Province, China. The tea is grown in the hills at the foot of the Dabie Mountains.
Was Guapian a tribute tea?
Yes. Tea from Lu'an is said to be recorded as early as the Tang dynasty, and it was sent to the court as tribute tea in the Qing dynasty.
Who should avoid Lu An Gua Pian Premium Green Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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