Meng Ding Gan Lu Sweet Dew Tea
Sweet pea, orchid and a dewy sweetness from the mountain where Chinese tea is said to begin.
Mengding Ganlu, Sweet Dew of Mengding, grows on Mount Meng in Sichuan, where tea is said to have first been cultivated more than 2,000 years ago. The cup is sweet and fine, with sweet pea, orchid and a delicate, dewy sweetness.
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
| Brewing method | Glass Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Curled 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 30 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Sweet, not strong
Mengding Ganlu is a tea of sweetness, not force. If the cup turns sharp, lower the water temperature a few degrees or shorten the steep rather than cutting the leaf.
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.
Mengding Ganlu, Sweet Dew of Mengding, grows on Mount Meng in Sichuan, where tea is said to have first been cultivated more than 2,000 years ago. The cup is sweet and fine, with sweet pea, orchid and a delicate, dewy sweetness. Brewed in a glass teapot at 80°C.
Origin & Story
Mount Meng, near Ya'an in Sichuan, is called the hometown of Chinese tea. The legend goes that a Taoist named Wu Lizhen planted seven tea bushes on the mountain during the Ganlu era of the Han dynasty, between 53 and 50 BCE. Before him, tea had been picked from wild bushes. Chinese sources call Mount Meng the place where tea was first cultivated, though other regions make similar claims.
The word ganlu means sweet dew. The tea's name is said to come from the title Master of Ganlu, which the Song emperor Xiaozong gave Wu Lizhen after his death, and Mengding means the top of Mount Meng. From the Tang dynasty until the Qing, the monks of the mountain are said to have picked 360 leaves each spring to present to the emperor.
In the cup it is sweet and fine: sweet pea, orchid and a soft, fresh sweetness, with a sugary aftertaste. The liquor is a pale yellowish green.
Use water at 80 to 85°C, 3 g of leaf per 150 to 240 ml, and steep for one to two minutes. A glass or a gaiwan shows the curled leaf opening, and the leaf can be steeped more than once.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 76/100 |
| Acidity | 24/100 |
| Bitterness | 16/100 |
| Body | 46/100 |
| Aroma | 94/100 |
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 Meng Ding Gan Lu Sweet Dew Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 30 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Meng Ding Gan Lu Sweet Dew Tea?
Target 80°C (176°F).
How long should Meng Ding Gan Lu Sweet Dew Tea be extracted?
Timing: 1:30-2:30. Method: Glass Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Curled Leaf.
What does Mengding Ganlu mean?
Sweet Dew of Mengding. Mengding is the top of Mount Meng in Sichuan, and ganlu means sweet dew.
Who was Wu Lizhen?
A Taoist master said to have planted the first seven tea bushes on Mount Meng during the Han dynasty, between 53 and 50 BCE. The tea's name is said to come from his title, Master of Ganlu.
Who should avoid Meng Ding Gan Lu Sweet Dew 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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