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ENSHI YU LU

ENSHI JADE DEW
GREEN TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING

Enshi, Hubei, China

Enshi Yu Lu "Enshi Jade Dew" is a renowned Chinese green tea from the mountainous Enshi region, celebrated for its bright, clear liquor and fresh, vegetal aroma. Its smooth, mellow taste with subtle sweet and chestnut notes reflects the unique terroir and traditional hand-processing methods. MORE

AROMA
Grassy, seaweed
TASTE
Salty, umami, baked

CULTIVAR: Enshi Qun Ti Zong
HARVEST: Early spring (Pre-Qingming), 2025
ABOUT
Enshi Yu Lu, translated as "Jade Dew of Enshi," is a rare gem among Chinese green teas, celebrated for its vibrant color, delicate sweetness, and unique processing technique. It stands alone in the world of Chinese green tea as the only steamed green tea that has survived from antiquity to the present day, a stylistic bridge between Chinese and Japanese tea cultures. The tea’s name captures both its luminous quality and ethereal nature. “Yu Lu” evokes the image of dew-laced jade leaves at dawn—fresh, pure, and fleeting. With a documented history tracing back to the Tang and Song Dynasties, Enshi Yu Lu flourished during the Qing Dynasty and was later selected as a tribute tea. Its modern revitalization began in the 20th century with the adoption of refined steaming technology, further distinguishing it from pan-fired green teas of other regions. Today, Enshi Yu Lu holds China's National Geographical Indication Protection status, a testament to its uniqueness and cultural importance.

ORIGIN
Enshi Yu Lu is cultivated in the mist-shrouded highlands of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, located in western Hubei Province. This remote region—nestled within the Wuling Mountains—is blessed with rich, selenium-laden soils, gentle mists, and high humidity, creating the ideal environment for tea cultivation. The area's biodiversity and pristine air quality contribute to the tea’s unmistakable clarity and sweet vegetal purity. Harvested primarily in early spring, Enshi Yu Lu comprises the youngest buds and first leaves. Unlike most Chinese green teas, which are pan-fired to fix oxidation, Enshi Yu Lu is steamed, preserving a brilliant emerald color and producing a distinct flavor profile marked by sweetness, softness, and floral delicacy.

ORGANOLEPTIC
Slender, slightly curved buds with tightly wrapped leaf sets. Deep emerald green with a satin-like luster. The leaves exhibit a subtle uniformity and are often covered in fine down, signaling early spring plucking. Dry tea leaves are bright and verdant. Notes of zucchini blossom, steamed spinach, and sweet clover dominate, followed by hints of chestnut milk and fresh bamboo. A quiet floral lilt emerges as the leaves warm, reminiscent of dewy mountain orchids. Lustrous lime-green to jade-colored liquor. Radiant and clear, with a delicate sheen that reflects its high amino acid content, a signature of steamed teas. Rinsed tea leaves have a fresh and grassy aroma with a creamy undertone. The scent evokes warm edamame, young soybean shoots, and soft alpine flowers. The taste is pure and velvety. A smooth, umami-forward entrance transitions into gentle sweetness. Flavors of young peas, cashew milk, and early spring greens unfold across the palate. Subtle floral notes echo gardenia and fresh herbs, with a lingering cucumber clarity. Silky and fluid, with a medium-light body. The liquor glides across the tongue with no astringency, leaving a satin-like coating that enhances sweetness. A calm, cooling effect follows each sip, making the tea feel alive and hydrating. The aftertaste is long and elegant. A quiet returning sweetness builds at the back of the throat, mingling with a cooling, mint-like sensation. Clean vegetal notes and floral whispers linger for minutes, evoking the damp freshness of misty mountain slopes.

Enshi Yu Lu is a tea of purity, subtlety, and rare elegance. Its steamed profile sets it apart in the Chinese green tea pantheon, offering a tranquil experience reminiscent of dew on alpine leaves. Best brewed with care in porcelain or glass, it unfolds slowly, revealing a layered sweetness and an almost meditative calm. This tea is for those who value softness over strength, depth over drama, and clarity over complication.

GASTRONOMY
Since this tea closely resembles Japanese Gyokuro, I recommend enjoying it with a similar approach. It serves as an excellent aperitif before meals, offering a delightful alternative to wine. You can brew it using traditional methods or try cold brewing by steeping it in cold water for 1.5 to 3 hours. The result is a light, delicate, and rich infusion. Its sweet flavor and umami notes complement dishes like light salads, Hiyashi Wakame (seaweed), broccoli, green peas, cucumber, and rice wonderfully. Feel free to experiment with savory or sweet foods for your ideal pairing. This tea can enhance many dishes with its complex and intense flavor profile. You can infuse it into sauces, vinegar, or oils, allowing the flavors to meld over time.
CHINA CLASSICS
Try one of the best Chinese classics from AN SHIM TEA COLLECTION