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
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
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
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.
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