LU'AN GUA PIAN
MELON SEEDS
GREEN TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Qishan, Lu'An, Anhui, China
Lu’An Gua Pian is a distinctive Chinese green tea from Lu'an, known for being made exclusively from mature tea leaves without buds. The leaves are carefully selected, pan-fired, and shaped into flat, seed-like forms that define its characteristic appearance. The infusion is smooth and full-bodied, offering a balanced profile of fresh vegetal notes and gentle sweetness. MORE
AROMA
Nutty
TASTE
Floral, herbal
ALTITUDE: 700-800 m
VARIETY: Qun Ti Zhong
HARVEST: Early spring, 2025
GREEN TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Qishan, Lu'An, Anhui, China
Lu’An Gua Pian is a distinctive Chinese green tea from Lu'an, known for being made exclusively from mature tea leaves without buds. The leaves are carefully selected, pan-fired, and shaped into flat, seed-like forms that define its characteristic appearance. The infusion is smooth and full-bodied, offering a balanced profile of fresh vegetal notes and gentle sweetness. MORE
AROMA
Nutty
TASTE
Floral, herbal
ALTITUDE: 700-800 m
VARIETY: Qun Ti Zhong
HARVEST: Early spring, 2025
GREEN TEA is one of the world's most studied and revered beverages for its cultural significance and impressive range of health benefits. Green tea is rich in bioactive compounds and supports both physical and cognitive well-being when consumed regularly and mindfully. Due to the tea leaves' special cultivars, climate, and quality, green tea is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and microelements. The highest-quality green teas are made from spring young buds and leaves, traditionally processed to prevent oxidation and keep the tea leaf in its original chemical composition. Research over the past few decades has discovered that green tea reduces the risk of heart disease, cleans the circulatory system, strengthens blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, lowers blood sugar, prevents the development of cancer cells, and relieves nervous tension.
Learn more about the BIOCHEMISTRY OF A TEA LEAF
SEED-GROWN TEA PLANT
This tea refers to a Qunzi Zhong, a "seed-grown tea plant". Unlike cloned or asexually propagated cultivars, which are created by cuttings or grafting from a single "mother" plant, Qunzi Zhong tea trees are grown from seeds. This results in a genetically diverse population of plants. Each seed-grown tea tree is unique, with slightly different characteristics. This genetic variety helps improve the resilience of the tea garden, making it more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stress. Seed-grown trees usually develop stronger and deeper roots than cloned plants, allowing them to draw nutrients and minerals from deeper soil layers, often giving the tea a more complex and rich flavor profile. Qunzi Zhong represents the traditional way of tea cultivation. Because of the genetic diversity, teas made from Qunzi Zhong plants tend to offer more layered and nuanced flavors, reflecting a richer expression of the local terroir (soil, climate, and environment).
PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Pesticide-free gardening refers to a cultivation method in which no synthetic chemical pesticides are used at any stage of plant growth. Instead, this approach relies on biodiversity, ecological balance, and cultural practices to manage pests and diseases. Unlike conventional farming, which often depends on chemical intervention to control infestations, pesticide-free gardening emphasizes prevention through healthy soil, companion planting, and natural predators. This method fosters a more resilient and adaptive garden ecosystem. Without chemical inputs, beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and native bees thrive, contributing to pollination and pest control. Untouched by harsh agents, the soil remains alive with microbial activity, supporting deeper root systems and more vigorous plant development. Over time, this results in produce with purer, more expressive flavors, reflecting the health of the environment and the grower's intention.
Learn more about Pesticide-Free Gardening
EASTERN (PIN CHA) ★
Temperature: 75-85 °C
Amount: 3-5 grams per 120 ml of water
Steeping: 20-40 sec x 5+
WESTERN (INFUSION) ★
Temperature: 75-85 °C
Amount: 2-3 grams per 250 ml of water
Steeping: 1-2 min x 3
Learn more about TEA BREWING METHODS
Tea absorbs surrounding aromas and moisture. This type of tea oxidizes when it comes into contact with oxygen and loses its properties, including taste and aroma. Store it in a dry and cool place in airtight packaging. Avoid direct exposure to the sun and high temperatures.
BEST BEFORE: 2 years since production date!
BEST BEFORE: 2 years since production date!
Learn more ABOUT TEA STORAGE
ABOUT
Lu’An Gua Pian is one of the most distinctive green teas of China, originating from the mountainous areas of Lu'an, Anhui province, China. Its name translates as “Melon seeds,” referring to the unique shape of the processed leaves, which resemble the flat, oval form of melon seeds. Unlike most green teas, it is produced exclusively from mature leaves, with buds and stems intentionally removed, a rare approach that reflects a highly specific regional tradition.
Historically, Lu’An Gua Pian developed as a tribute tea during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), when production methods shifted toward greater refinement and specialization. Over time, it became known for its clarity, stability, and suitability for careful appreciation, valued not for delicacy alone but for its structured and composed character. This approach aligns with a broader aesthetic in Chinese tea culture, where balance, precision, and intentional processing are seen as essential elements of quality.
ORIGIN
Lu’an is a historic tea-producing region located in western Anhui Province, China, and is best known as the birthplace of Lu’an Gua Pian, one of China’s most distinctive and esteemed green teas. The area known for its rich biodiversity, clean air, and mineral-rich soil - ideal conditions for high-quality tea cultivation. This region has a tea history dating back over a thousand years, with records of local tea production appearing as early as the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE). During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Lu’an tea was listed among the “tribute teas” offered to the imperial court, reflecting its high status and refined character.
The region’s climate is characterized by mild temperatures, abundant rainfall, and frequent mist, all of which help maintain high leaf moisture and slow growth, contributing to the depth and sweetness of the tea. The altitude generally between 500 and 800 meters - further enhances flavor concentration and aromatic complexity. Today, the Lu’an area remains a protected origin zone, with Lu’an Gua Pian holding China’s national geographic indication (GI) status. Local farmers continue to preserve traditional hand-processing methods, ensuring that the tea retains its original style - characterized by balance, purity, and a lasting, clean sweetness that reflects the mountain environment from which it comes.
ORGANOLEPTIC
The dry leaf of Lu’an Gua Pian shows elongated, flat shapes resembling melon seeds, dark green with a slight sheen. The aroma is deep and clean, with notes of roasted seeds, chestnut, and a touch of wild herbs — fresh yet mature, reflecting the careful craftsmanship behind this unique tea. When placed in a preheated teapot, the fragrance becomes rounder and sweeter. Warm tones of baked nuts, light smoke, and dried flowers unfold, creating a sense of calm strength and purity.
The infusion is clear and bright, golden-green in color. Its aroma combines the freshness of green leaves with soft roasted nuances and a faint sweetness reminiscent of honey and grain. In taste, Lu’an Gua Pian is rich and smooth, with a full body and well-balanced structure. Gentle vegetal sweetness meets a mild roasted depth and a hint of pleasant astringency. The texture is thick and silky, carrying layers of flavor that develop gradually. The aftertaste is long, clean, and slightly sweet, leaving a fresh, cooling sensation and a quiet mineral note.
Lu’An Gua Pian is one of the most distinctive green teas of China, originating from the mountainous areas of Lu'an, Anhui province, China. Its name translates as “Melon seeds,” referring to the unique shape of the processed leaves, which resemble the flat, oval form of melon seeds. Unlike most green teas, it is produced exclusively from mature leaves, with buds and stems intentionally removed, a rare approach that reflects a highly specific regional tradition.
Historically, Lu’An Gua Pian developed as a tribute tea during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), when production methods shifted toward greater refinement and specialization. Over time, it became known for its clarity, stability, and suitability for careful appreciation, valued not for delicacy alone but for its structured and composed character. This approach aligns with a broader aesthetic in Chinese tea culture, where balance, precision, and intentional processing are seen as essential elements of quality.
ORIGIN
Lu’an is a historic tea-producing region located in western Anhui Province, China, and is best known as the birthplace of Lu’an Gua Pian, one of China’s most distinctive and esteemed green teas. The area known for its rich biodiversity, clean air, and mineral-rich soil - ideal conditions for high-quality tea cultivation. This region has a tea history dating back over a thousand years, with records of local tea production appearing as early as the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE). During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Lu’an tea was listed among the “tribute teas” offered to the imperial court, reflecting its high status and refined character.
The region’s climate is characterized by mild temperatures, abundant rainfall, and frequent mist, all of which help maintain high leaf moisture and slow growth, contributing to the depth and sweetness of the tea. The altitude generally between 500 and 800 meters - further enhances flavor concentration and aromatic complexity. Today, the Lu’an area remains a protected origin zone, with Lu’an Gua Pian holding China’s national geographic indication (GI) status. Local farmers continue to preserve traditional hand-processing methods, ensuring that the tea retains its original style - characterized by balance, purity, and a lasting, clean sweetness that reflects the mountain environment from which it comes.
ORGANOLEPTIC
The dry leaf of Lu’an Gua Pian shows elongated, flat shapes resembling melon seeds, dark green with a slight sheen. The aroma is deep and clean, with notes of roasted seeds, chestnut, and a touch of wild herbs — fresh yet mature, reflecting the careful craftsmanship behind this unique tea. When placed in a preheated teapot, the fragrance becomes rounder and sweeter. Warm tones of baked nuts, light smoke, and dried flowers unfold, creating a sense of calm strength and purity.
The infusion is clear and bright, golden-green in color. Its aroma combines the freshness of green leaves with soft roasted nuances and a faint sweetness reminiscent of honey and grain. In taste, Lu’an Gua Pian is rich and smooth, with a full body and well-balanced structure. Gentle vegetal sweetness meets a mild roasted depth and a hint of pleasant astringency. The texture is thick and silky, carrying layers of flavor that develop gradually. The aftertaste is long, clean, and slightly sweet, leaving a fresh, cooling sensation and a quiet mineral note.
GREEN TEA
Explore more Green Teas from the AN SHIM TEA Collection.