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GAO SHAN DIAN LU

HIGH MOUNTAIN YUNNAN GREEN TEA
GREEN TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING

Simao, Yunnan, China

Gao Shan Dian Lu is a high-mountain green tea from Yunnan Province. Cultivated in elevated, mist-covered environments, the leaves develop slowly, resulting in a balanced and refined composition. The infusion is clean and vibrant, offering fresh vegetal notes, gentle sweetness, and a smooth, refreshing finish. MORE

AROMA
Floral, creamy

TASTE
Floral, green

VARIETY: Da Ye Zhong
HARVEST: Spring, 2025
Close-up of Gao Shan Dian Lu dry leaves, large-leaf twisted green leaves.
ABOUT
Gao Shan Dian Lu is a high-mountain green tea originating from elevated regions of Yunnan Province, where the term “Dian” reflects the historical name of the province. The tea is cultivated in cool, mist-covered environments, where frequent cloud cover, temperature variation, and mineral-rich mountain soils support slow and balanced leaf development. These conditions contribute to a higher concentration of amino acids and aromatic compounds, shaping a clean, structured, and expressive cup.

Historically, Yunnan is most closely associated with Pu'Er tea, particularly in its raw form. In more recent decades, the region has also become widely known for the production of fermented Shu (Ripe) version, reflecting an evolution of processing techniques and market demand. Within this context, the emergence of refined green teas such as Gao Shan Dian Lu represents a diversification of local tea production, where classical green tea methods are applied to regional plant material.

Culturally, this tea reflects a dialogue between tradition and modern development. While rooted in the same mountainous terroir that defines Yunnan’s Pu’Er, it expresses a different aspect of the region’s potential, emphasizing freshness, clarity, and precision in processing, making it a unique expression among classical Chinese green teas.

TERROIR
Simao, located in southern Yunnan and today officially known as Pu’er City, is the historical and cultural center of Pu’er tea production. Surrounded by misty mountains and subtropical forests, the region lies at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,800 meters, where warm temperatures, high humidity, and mineral-rich red soil create ideal conditions for cultivating tea of remarkable depth and balance. For centuries, Simao served as a major hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, where teas from nearby mountains such as Jingmai, Nannuo, and Menghai were gathered, processed, and traded. This role gave rise to the name “Pu’er tea,” originally referring not to a single mountain origin but to the teas that passed through Simao for export across China and into Tibet and Southeast Asia. Teas from Simao are distinguished by their round, harmonious character - rich in body, with clear golden liquor, layered sweetness, and gentle earthy undertones. Both raw and ripe Pu’er teas are produced here, alongside smaller quantities of green and black teas, all reflecting the biodiversity of Yunnan’s forests and the purity of their environment.

Da Ye Zhong, meaning “large-leaf type,” refers to a broad group of tea plant varieties traditionally associated with regions such as Yunnan Province. Unlike specific modern cultivars, it is a general classification describing plants with larger, thicker leaves, often linked to the Camellia sinensis var. assamica lineage. These plants are well adapted to warm, humid environments and mountainous terrains, where they develop deep root systems and strong growth. The larger leaf structure allows for a different chemical composition compared to small-leaf types, typically resulting in higher levels of polyphenols and a more pronounced body in the final tea. This makes Da Ye Zhong especially suitable for teas that benefit from structure and aging, such as Pu’Er, while also offering a distinctive character when processed as green tea.

ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaf appearance is expressive and slightly more robust, with elongated, gently twisted leaves in a deep green tone, reflecting the high-mountain origin and Yunnan material. The aroma of the dry leaves is clean and open, combining fresh vegetal notes with a subtle sweetness and a light floral nuance. In a preheated gaiwan, the tea gradually opens, the aroma becoming warmer and more layered, revealing notes of steamed greens, fresh herbs, and a soft honeyed undertone. After a brief rinse, the leaves fully awaken, and the aromatic profile becomes more rounded and complex, combining fresh mountain vegetation with delicate floral tones and a refined natural sweetness.

The aroma of the liquor in the empty cup is clear and slightly sweet, with gentle warm notes that balance freshness and depth. The taste is smooth and structured, with a slightly fuller body compared to typical small-leaf green teas. From the first sips, a soft sweetness and light umami appear, followed by fresh vegetal notes supported by a subtle mineral depth and a faint floral accent. The aftertaste is clean, persistent, and slightly warming, with a returning sweetness and a composed, balanced finish. In the empty cup after drinking, a light sweet-floral aroma remains, accompanied by delicate honeyed and mineral nuances.
Appreciating the aroma of dry Gao Shan Dian Lu leaves.
Placing tea into a preheated tea pot.
Pouring hot water over Gao Shan Dian Lu leaves.
First infusion with clear light green liquor.
Enjoying the aroma of the fresh infusion.
Fully opened Gao Shan Dian Lu leaves after brewing.

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