Guzhu Zisun Purple Bamboo Tea
Tender greens, wildflowers and a light nutty sweetness from a tea that was once tribute to the Tang court.
Guzhu Zisun, purple bamboo shoot tea, grows on Mount Guzhu in Changxing, Zhejiang, and was tribute tea for Tang emperors. It is delicate and slightly sweet, with tender greens, wildflowers and a nutty finish.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 28 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 11.7 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
| Brewing method | Glass Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 176°F / 80°C |
| Target brew time | 1:30-2:30 |
| 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.
- 2:20Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 28 mg for an 8 oz cup.
A glass for the leaf
The narrow, downy leaves are lovely to watch as they open, so brew it in a glass and drink it slowly. Top up with water at the same temperature once or twice.
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.
Guzhu Zisun, purple bamboo shoot tea, grows on Mount Guzhu in Changxing, Zhejiang, and was tribute tea for Tang emperors. It is delicate and slightly sweet, with tender greens, wildflowers and a nutty finish. Brewed in a glass teapot at 80°C.
Origin & Story
Guzhu Zisun is among the oldest named teas in China. It grows on Mount Guzhu in Changxing County, Zhejiang, near Lake Tai, and it became tribute tea for the Tang court in the second half of the 8th century, from the reign of Emperor Suzong (757 to 761). A tribute tea house was set up at Guzhu in the 770s, though sources differ on the exact year.
The name means purple bamboo shoot. The young leaf is partly purple and narrow, shaped like a bamboo shoot, and Lu Yu, who wrote the Classic of Tea in the Tang dynasty, is said to have favored leaves of that kind: purplish rather than green, and shoot-like rather than bud-like.
In the cup it is delicate and a little sweet: tender greens, wildflowers and a light nutty note. Like most fine Chinese green teas, the best is picked in early spring, before the Qingming festival, and the leaf is fine and downy, so it needs cool water.
Use water at about 75 to 80°C, around 3 g of leaf for 200 to 240 ml, and steep for one to two minutes for the first infusion. A glass shows the narrow leaves opening, and the leaf can be steeped two or three times.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 74/100 |
| Acidity | 26/100 |
| Bitterness | 18/100 |
| Body | 48/100 |
| Aroma | 92/100 |
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 Guzhu Zisun Purple Bamboo Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 28 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Guzhu Zisun Purple Bamboo Tea?
Target 80°C (176°F).
How long should Guzhu Zisun Purple Bamboo Tea be extracted?
Timing: 1:30-2:30. Method: Glass Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
What does Zisun mean?
It means purple bamboo shoot. The fresh leaf is partly purple and slim like a bamboo shoot, which is how the tea got its name.
Why is Guzhu Zisun called a tribute tea?
From the Tang dynasty it was sent to the imperial court as tribute, and a tribute tea house was set up on Mount Guzhu in the 770s, though sources differ on the exact year.
Who should avoid Guzhu Zisun Purple Bamboo 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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