ANHUA SONG ZHEN
PINE NEEDLES
GREEN TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Anhua, Hunan, China
Anhua Song Zhen is a distinctive Chinese green tea from Anhua County, known for its fine, needle-like leaf shape. Produced from carefully selected early spring buds, it reflects precise harvesting and controlled processing. The infusion is clean and balanced, offering fresh vegetal notes, gentle sweetness, and a smooth, refreshing finish. MORE
AROMA
Floral
TASTE
Honey, nutty
CULTIVAR: Yun Tai Shan Da Ye
HARVEST: Spring (Pre-Qingming), 2026
GREEN TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Anhua, Hunan, China
Anhua Song Zhen is a distinctive Chinese green tea from Anhua County, known for its fine, needle-like leaf shape. Produced from carefully selected early spring buds, it reflects precise harvesting and controlled processing. The infusion is clean and balanced, offering fresh vegetal notes, gentle sweetness, and a smooth, refreshing finish. MORE
AROMA
Floral
TASTE
Honey, nutty
CULTIVAR: Yun Tai Shan Da Ye
HARVEST: Spring (Pre-Qingming), 2026
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
Unlike many classical Chinese teas with centuries of documented history, Anhua Song Zhen is a relatively modern regional creation. Its present form was developed in the 1950s as part of efforts to establish a distinctive high-quality green tea representative of Anhua, a region historically associated primarily with Hei Cha production.
The name Song Zhen (松针), meaning “Pine Needle,” refers to the characteristic appearance of the finished leaves, which are straight, slender, and pointed. This distinctive form is achieved through careful processing that includes high-temperature fixation, rolling, precise shaping, and drying.
Produced from tender spring shoots, Anhua Song Zhen reflects a contemporary interpretation of classical Chinese green tea craftsmanship. While remaining closely connected to the tea-growing traditions of Anhua, it demonstrates how local producers expanded the stylistic range of the region and created a tea with its own recognizable identity.
Today, Anhua Song Zhen offers an opportunity to discover a lesser-known side of Anhua tea culture. Its clean and refined character combines gentle vegetal and nutty nuances, natural sweetness, a smooth texture, and a fresh, lingering finish.
TEARROIR
Anhua County is situated in the southwestern part of Hunan Province, surrounded by picturesque mountains and rolling hills. The region’s unique geography contributes significantly to cultivating Anhua Song Zhen green tea. The tea is grown at high altitudes, typically between 600 to 1,200 meters (2,000 to 4,000 feet), where the cool climate and abundant rainfall create ideal growing conditions. The soil in Anhua is rich in minerals, and the natural environment, characterized by misty mountains and lush vegetation, provides the perfect ecosystem for tea plants to thrive. Furthermore, the region enjoys a subtropical climate, which, with its distinct seasons, allows for a slow and balanced growth cycle, ultimately enhancing the flavor and aroma of the tea.
Yun Tai Shan Da Ye Zhong is a traditional large-leaf tea plant variety originating from the mountainous areas of Anhua County, particularly around the Yun Tai Shan region. The name translates as “Yun Tai Mountain large-leaf type,” referring to the broader, thicker leaves compared to small-leaf tea plants. Botanically, it belongs to the Camellia sinensis large-leaf group, often associated with stronger growth, deeper root systems, and higher resilience to local environmental conditions. These plants are well adapted to the humid, forested mountain terroir, where mist, shade, and mineral-rich soils support steady and balanced leaf development. In tea production, Yun Tai Shan Da Ye Zhong is valued for its ability to produce a fuller-bodied and more structured liquor. Compared to small-leaf varieties, it often expresses a deeper flavor profile, with more pronounced body, gentle bitterness, and a persistent aftertaste, making it suitable not only for green teas but also for dark teas traditionally produced in the region.
ORGANOLEPTIC
The dry leaf appearance is distinct and structured, with long, slender needle-like leaves of a deep green tone and a slightly robust form reflecting the large-leaf material. The aroma of the dry leaves is clean and moderately intense, showing fresh vegetal notes with a faint mineral edge and a subtle sweet undertone. In a preheated gaiwan, the tea gradually opens, the aroma becoming warmer and more expressive, revealing notes of steamed greens, light toasted grains, and a gentle creamy nuance. After a brief rinse, the leaves fully awaken, and the aromatic profile becomes more rounded and layered, combining fresh vegetal character with a soft mineral depth and restrained sweetness.
The aroma of the liquor in the empty cup is clear and steady, with a light sweetness and gentle warm tones that emphasize balance and structure. The taste is smooth yet more pronounced compared to small-leaf green teas, with a fuller body and a slightly firmer texture. From the first sips, a mild sweetness and light umami appear, followed by fresh vegetal notes supported by a subtle mineral bitterness that adds depth without harshness. The aftertaste is clean, persistent, and slightly drying, with a returning sweetness and a composed, structured finish. In the empty cup after drinking, a soft warm aroma remains, with delicate grain-like and mineral nuances.
Unlike many classical Chinese teas with centuries of documented history, Anhua Song Zhen is a relatively modern regional creation. Its present form was developed in the 1950s as part of efforts to establish a distinctive high-quality green tea representative of Anhua, a region historically associated primarily with Hei Cha production.
The name Song Zhen (松针), meaning “Pine Needle,” refers to the characteristic appearance of the finished leaves, which are straight, slender, and pointed. This distinctive form is achieved through careful processing that includes high-temperature fixation, rolling, precise shaping, and drying.
Produced from tender spring shoots, Anhua Song Zhen reflects a contemporary interpretation of classical Chinese green tea craftsmanship. While remaining closely connected to the tea-growing traditions of Anhua, it demonstrates how local producers expanded the stylistic range of the region and created a tea with its own recognizable identity.
Today, Anhua Song Zhen offers an opportunity to discover a lesser-known side of Anhua tea culture. Its clean and refined character combines gentle vegetal and nutty nuances, natural sweetness, a smooth texture, and a fresh, lingering finish.
TEARROIR
Anhua County is situated in the southwestern part of Hunan Province, surrounded by picturesque mountains and rolling hills. The region’s unique geography contributes significantly to cultivating Anhua Song Zhen green tea. The tea is grown at high altitudes, typically between 600 to 1,200 meters (2,000 to 4,000 feet), where the cool climate and abundant rainfall create ideal growing conditions. The soil in Anhua is rich in minerals, and the natural environment, characterized by misty mountains and lush vegetation, provides the perfect ecosystem for tea plants to thrive. Furthermore, the region enjoys a subtropical climate, which, with its distinct seasons, allows for a slow and balanced growth cycle, ultimately enhancing the flavor and aroma of the tea.
Yun Tai Shan Da Ye Zhong is a traditional large-leaf tea plant variety originating from the mountainous areas of Anhua County, particularly around the Yun Tai Shan region. The name translates as “Yun Tai Mountain large-leaf type,” referring to the broader, thicker leaves compared to small-leaf tea plants. Botanically, it belongs to the Camellia sinensis large-leaf group, often associated with stronger growth, deeper root systems, and higher resilience to local environmental conditions. These plants are well adapted to the humid, forested mountain terroir, where mist, shade, and mineral-rich soils support steady and balanced leaf development. In tea production, Yun Tai Shan Da Ye Zhong is valued for its ability to produce a fuller-bodied and more structured liquor. Compared to small-leaf varieties, it often expresses a deeper flavor profile, with more pronounced body, gentle bitterness, and a persistent aftertaste, making it suitable not only for green teas but also for dark teas traditionally produced in the region.
ORGANOLEPTIC
The dry leaf appearance is distinct and structured, with long, slender needle-like leaves of a deep green tone and a slightly robust form reflecting the large-leaf material. The aroma of the dry leaves is clean and moderately intense, showing fresh vegetal notes with a faint mineral edge and a subtle sweet undertone. In a preheated gaiwan, the tea gradually opens, the aroma becoming warmer and more expressive, revealing notes of steamed greens, light toasted grains, and a gentle creamy nuance. After a brief rinse, the leaves fully awaken, and the aromatic profile becomes more rounded and layered, combining fresh vegetal character with a soft mineral depth and restrained sweetness.
The aroma of the liquor in the empty cup is clear and steady, with a light sweetness and gentle warm tones that emphasize balance and structure. The taste is smooth yet more pronounced compared to small-leaf green teas, with a fuller body and a slightly firmer texture. From the first sips, a mild sweetness and light umami appear, followed by fresh vegetal notes supported by a subtle mineral bitterness that adds depth without harshness. The aftertaste is clean, persistent, and slightly drying, with a returning sweetness and a composed, structured finish. In the empty cup after drinking, a soft warm aroma remains, with delicate grain-like and mineral nuances.
GREEN TEA
Explore more Green Teas from the AN SHIM TEA Collection.