Xinyang Maojian Green Tea
Chestnut, fresh grass and a brisk, sweet aftertaste from the hills of southern Henan.
Xinyang Maojian is one of China's best-known green teas, from the hills around Xinyang in southern Henan. Slender, downy leaves make a brisk, refreshing cup of chestnut, fresh grass and a sweet aftertaste. Brewed in a glass teapot at 80°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 32 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 13.3 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 | Whole 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 32 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Glass and patience
Maojian is a tea to watch: the slender leaves, with their white down, drift and sink in a clear glass. Keep the first steep short and let later ones run a little longer.
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.
Xinyang Maojian is one of China's best-known green teas, from the hills around Xinyang in southern Henan. Slender, downy leaves make a brisk, refreshing cup of chestnut, fresh grass and a sweet aftertaste. Brewed in a glass teapot at 80°C.
Origin & Story
Xinyang is a city in southern Henan Province, and its tea has an old reputation. In 1080 the Song dynasty writer Su Shi is recorded as calling Xinyang tea the best of all the teas south of the Huai River. The main growing areas today include Pingqiao District, Guangshan County, Xin County and Luoshan County.
The modern name is more recent. In 1913 the tea was produced as The Mountain Tippy, and it was later renamed Xinyang Maojian: mao for the tiny fuzz on the leaf and jian for its sharp young tips. In 1915 it is said to have won a gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, and in 1958 it was named among China's ten famous teas.
The best leaf is picked in the middle of April, before the Grain Rain solar term, and the slender, downy leaf gives a clear, pale green cup. In the cup it is brisk and refreshing, with chestnut, fresh grass and a sweet aftertaste that lingers after the last sip.
A clear glass suits it. One guide is 2.5 g of leaf in 250 ml of water at 80°C for two to three minutes; this page uses 3 g in 240 ml at the same temperature.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 72/100 |
| Acidity | 34/100 |
| Bitterness | 24/100 |
| Body | 54/100 |
| Aroma | 88/100 |
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 Xinyang Maojian Green Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 32 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Xinyang Maojian Green Tea?
Target 80°C (176°F).
How long should Xinyang Maojian Green Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:00-3:00. Method: Glass Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
What does Maojian mean?
Fur tip, or fuzzy tip. Mao means tiny fuzz and jian means sharp tips, for the downy, pointed young leaves.
Where is Xinyang Maojian from?
From the area around Xinyang in southern Henan Province. The main growing areas include Pingqiao District, Guangshan County, Xin County and Luoshan County.
Who should avoid Xinyang Maojian 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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