MENG DING GAN LU
SWEET DEW
GREEN TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Meng Ding Shan, Ya’an, Sichuan, China
Meng Ding Gan Lu “Mengding Sweet Dew” is a celebrated Chinese green tea from the legendary Mengding Mountain, known for its delicate sweetness and fresh, floral aroma. Its tender leaves produce a bright, clear infusion with smooth, mellow flavors that embody the harmony of ancient tea craftsmanship and pristine terroir. MORE
AROMA
Herbal, floral
TASTE
Floral, fruity
CULTIVAR: Xiao Ye Lao Chuan
HARVEST: Spring (Pre-Qingming), 2025
GREEN TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Meng Ding Shan, Ya’an, Sichuan, China
Meng Ding Gan Lu “Mengding Sweet Dew” is a celebrated Chinese green tea from the legendary Mengding Mountain, known for its delicate sweetness and fresh, floral aroma. Its tender leaves produce a bright, clear infusion with smooth, mellow flavors that embody the harmony of ancient tea craftsmanship and pristine terroir. MORE
AROMA
Herbal, floral
TASTE
Floral, fruity
CULTIVAR: Xiao Ye Lao Chuan
HARVEST: Spring (Pre-Qingming), 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
ORIGIN
Located in the misty highlands of western Sichuan, the mountain range provides an ideal environment for tea cultivation. Abundant rainfall, rich soil, and year-round cloud cover help protect delicate tea leaves from harsh sunlight and enhance their natural sweetness. Meng Shan Mountain is historically significant as one of China's earliest tea cultivation sites, often called the “cradle of tea farming.” This tea comes from the Huang Cha Yuan "Imperial Tea Garden," a historic and culturally significant tea garden located on Meng Ding Shan Mountain and renowned for producing the highest-quality and most authentic Meng Ding Gan Lu.
ABOUT
Meng Ding Gan Lu meaning “Sweet Dew from Meng Ding Mountain,” is one of China’s oldest and most esteemed green teas, originating from Mengding Mountain in Ya’an, Sichuan Province. It is recognized as one of the earliest cultivated teas in Chinese history and holds a sacred status in traditional tea culture. It is said that a Buddhist monk named Wu Lizhen first planted seven tea bushes on the mountain, making it one of the earliest known examples of human tea cultivation. Since then, the area has been revered as the “birthplace of cultivated tea,” and Meng Ding teas were often offered as tribute teas to emperors throughout the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties.
Meng Ding Gan Lu is typically produced from tender early spring buds and leaves, picked when covered in mountain mist. The region’s cool, humid climate, frequent fog, and rich soil create ideal growing conditions that give the tea its soft sweetness and delicate fragrance. The leaves are traditionally hand-rolled and pan-fired, forming small, slightly curved shapes with silvery hairs. When brewed, the liquor appears pale green and bright, exuding a fresh floral aroma with subtle notes of orchid, chestnut, and mountain herbs. The taste is smooth and elegant, combining gentle sweetness, umami richness, and a refreshing aftertaste reminiscent of spring rain. Meng Ding Gan Lu is often praised for its mellow texture and clean, cooling sensation, symbolizing harmony between nature and craftsmanship. It represents the essence of high-mountain Chinese green tea — light, pure, and quietly profound, both historically and sensorially.
ORGANOLEPTIC
Tightly curled, downy buds and tender leaves form a delicate spiral. The leaves are slender, covered in fine silvery-white fuzz, and exhibit a vibrant, emerald-green color with a pale tip, indicative of early spring plucking and meticulous hand-processing. The aroma of dry tea leaves is subtle yet complex. Initial aroma suggests sweet pea blossoms and chestnut flowers, underlaid with a soft marine freshness. Faint notes of steamed asparagus and tender bamboo appear as the leaves warm in the gaiwan. Pale celadon to light lemon-green infusion. A shimmering translucence reveals high amino acid content, characteristic of slow-grown high-mountain teas. The fresh and vegetal aroma of rinsed tea leaves rises with notes of soybean milk, sweet corn husk, and green melon. A fleeting floral accent reminiscent of gardenia or jasmine wafts through the steam, deepening with each steeping. Elegant and ethereal, the tea opens with a gentle sweetness on the tip of the tongue, followed by a soft umami character. Mid-palate unveils refined vegetal layers like fresh pea shoots, young fava beans, and cucumber ski, interwoven with a subtle chestnut warmth. A silken minerality hums beneath the surface, reflecting its Sichuan mountain terroir. Soft, smooth, and buoyant. Almost weightless on the palate, yet leaves a lingering, plush coating. Lightly viscous, encouraging salivation and a delicate hui gan (returning sweetness) in the throat. There is a lingering, cooling, and crystal-clear aftertaste. A mild sweetness persists, accompanied by a cooling sensation akin to mint without menthol. The aftertaste evokes dew-covered spring herbs and high-altitude air—clean, vital, and quietly expansive.
Meng Ding Gan Lu is a tea of restraint and purity, demanding quiet attention. Its flavor is not forceful but unfolds in quiet layers, reflecting the misty highlands of Meng Ding Mountain. A masterclass in subtlety, this tea is best appreciated in silence, with multiple infusions revealing a serene depth. It is ideal for those seeking elegance, refinement, and a meditative experience in the cup.
Located in the misty highlands of western Sichuan, the mountain range provides an ideal environment for tea cultivation. Abundant rainfall, rich soil, and year-round cloud cover help protect delicate tea leaves from harsh sunlight and enhance their natural sweetness. Meng Shan Mountain is historically significant as one of China's earliest tea cultivation sites, often called the “cradle of tea farming.” This tea comes from the Huang Cha Yuan "Imperial Tea Garden," a historic and culturally significant tea garden located on Meng Ding Shan Mountain and renowned for producing the highest-quality and most authentic Meng Ding Gan Lu.
ABOUT
Meng Ding Gan Lu meaning “Sweet Dew from Meng Ding Mountain,” is one of China’s oldest and most esteemed green teas, originating from Mengding Mountain in Ya’an, Sichuan Province. It is recognized as one of the earliest cultivated teas in Chinese history and holds a sacred status in traditional tea culture. It is said that a Buddhist monk named Wu Lizhen first planted seven tea bushes on the mountain, making it one of the earliest known examples of human tea cultivation. Since then, the area has been revered as the “birthplace of cultivated tea,” and Meng Ding teas were often offered as tribute teas to emperors throughout the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties.
Meng Ding Gan Lu is typically produced from tender early spring buds and leaves, picked when covered in mountain mist. The region’s cool, humid climate, frequent fog, and rich soil create ideal growing conditions that give the tea its soft sweetness and delicate fragrance. The leaves are traditionally hand-rolled and pan-fired, forming small, slightly curved shapes with silvery hairs. When brewed, the liquor appears pale green and bright, exuding a fresh floral aroma with subtle notes of orchid, chestnut, and mountain herbs. The taste is smooth and elegant, combining gentle sweetness, umami richness, and a refreshing aftertaste reminiscent of spring rain. Meng Ding Gan Lu is often praised for its mellow texture and clean, cooling sensation, symbolizing harmony between nature and craftsmanship. It represents the essence of high-mountain Chinese green tea — light, pure, and quietly profound, both historically and sensorially.
ORGANOLEPTIC
Tightly curled, downy buds and tender leaves form a delicate spiral. The leaves are slender, covered in fine silvery-white fuzz, and exhibit a vibrant, emerald-green color with a pale tip, indicative of early spring plucking and meticulous hand-processing. The aroma of dry tea leaves is subtle yet complex. Initial aroma suggests sweet pea blossoms and chestnut flowers, underlaid with a soft marine freshness. Faint notes of steamed asparagus and tender bamboo appear as the leaves warm in the gaiwan. Pale celadon to light lemon-green infusion. A shimmering translucence reveals high amino acid content, characteristic of slow-grown high-mountain teas. The fresh and vegetal aroma of rinsed tea leaves rises with notes of soybean milk, sweet corn husk, and green melon. A fleeting floral accent reminiscent of gardenia or jasmine wafts through the steam, deepening with each steeping. Elegant and ethereal, the tea opens with a gentle sweetness on the tip of the tongue, followed by a soft umami character. Mid-palate unveils refined vegetal layers like fresh pea shoots, young fava beans, and cucumber ski, interwoven with a subtle chestnut warmth. A silken minerality hums beneath the surface, reflecting its Sichuan mountain terroir. Soft, smooth, and buoyant. Almost weightless on the palate, yet leaves a lingering, plush coating. Lightly viscous, encouraging salivation and a delicate hui gan (returning sweetness) in the throat. There is a lingering, cooling, and crystal-clear aftertaste. A mild sweetness persists, accompanied by a cooling sensation akin to mint without menthol. The aftertaste evokes dew-covered spring herbs and high-altitude air—clean, vital, and quietly expansive.
Meng Ding Gan Lu is a tea of restraint and purity, demanding quiet attention. Its flavor is not forceful but unfolds in quiet layers, reflecting the misty highlands of Meng Ding Mountain. A masterclass in subtlety, this tea is best appreciated in silence, with multiple infusions revealing a serene depth. It is ideal for those seeking elegance, refinement, and a meditative experience in the cup.
CHINA CLASSICS
Try one of the best Chinese classics from AN SHIM TEA COLLECTION