MENU

GREEN SNOW SHAN

SHAN TUYẾT GREEN TEA
GREEN TEA
★ WILD TEA

Xà Phìn, Hà Giàng, Vietnam

GREEN SNOW SHAN is a Vietnamese mountain green tea produced from the leaves of ancient Shan Tuyết tea trees growing in the high mountains of Hà Giang Province. Harvested from trees growing with minimal human intervention, it reflects the distinctive character of the Shan Tuyết variety, known for its thick, silver-covered buds and remarkable depth of flavour. The cup is fresh, vibrant, and complex, combining elegant floral aromas with a sweet, lingering finish and the distinctive character of ancient mountain tea trees. MORE

GOLD MEDAL at THE GOLDEN LEAF AWARDS
"Green Tea – Best Green Tea Worldwide" 2025

AROMA
Herbal, Floral

TASTE
Herbal

350-500 years old trees
ALTITUDE: 1300+ m
HARVEST: Spring, 2026

GREEN SNOW SHAN by AN SHIM TEA

ABOUT
GREEN SNOW SHAN is a traditional Vietnamese green tea produced from the leaves of ancient Shan Tuyết tea trees, primarily found in the northern mountainous regions of Hà Giang and neighboring areas. The name “Shan Tuyết” refers to the characteristic white down covering the young buds and leaves, a natural feature of these high-altitude tea trees. These trees often grow in semi-wild or wild conditions, forming part of long-established ecosystems maintained by local ethnic communities.

The production of this tea follows classical green tea processing methods, where freshly harvested leaves are pan-fired shortly after picking to halt oxidation and preserve their natural character. Within our project, this tea is produced at our own factory in the north of Vietnam, allowing full control over both the harvest and processing stages. Careful selection of raw material, combined with traditional hand-processing techniques and precise temperature management, ensures consistency and preservation of the leaf’s natural qualities.

GREEN SNOW SHAN occupies a unique position within Vietnamese tea culture, as it combines the identity of green tea with the raw material typically associated with mountain and ancient tree teas. It is valued not only for its sensory qualities but also for its origin, reflecting a direct connection to highland terroir, traditional agricultural practices, and a slower, more natural cycle of growth. In 2025, this tea was awarded a GOLD MEDAL at the Golden Leaf Awards in the category “Green Tea – Best Green Tea Worldwide,” confirming its quality at an international level.

TERROIR
Hà Giàng Province, located in the far north of Vietnam along the border with China, is one of the country's most important tea-producing regions and home to some of Southeast Asia's oldest tea trees. The region's high elevations, ranging from 1,000 to over 2,000 meters above sea level, combined with frequent mountain mists, abundant rainfall, rich soils, and significant day-to-night temperature fluctuations, create ideal conditions for producing teas of exceptional complexity, sweetness, minerality, and aging potential.

Hà Giàng is particularly famous for its Shan Tuyết tea trees, a unique Vietnamese tea variety often referred to as "Snow Mountain Tea." Many of these ancient trees grow naturally in remote mountain forests, where their deep root systems absorb nutrients and minerals from multiple geological layers. Harvested by local ethnic minority communities using traditional methods, Shan Tuyết teas are celebrated for their floral aromas, honey-like sweetness, rich texture, vibrant mountain character, and long-lasting aftertaste, making Hà Giàng one of the most respected tea terroirs in Vietnam.

One of the region's most renowned tea-sourcing villages is Xà Phìn, located at an altitude of approximately 1,300-1,600 meters above sea level. Surrounded by pristine forests and home to numerous ancient Shan Tuyết tea trees, the village has become known for preserving traditional tea cultivation passed down through generations. Teas from Xà Phìn are particularly valued for their refined floral aroma, pronounced sweetness, silky texture, vibrant minerality, and exceptional balance, making the village one of the finest expressions of Hà Giàng's remarkable tea heritage.

ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaf appears relatively large and robust, with slightly twisted shapes and a deep green tone accented by visible silvery down characteristic of Shan Tuyết material. The aroma of the dry leaves is expressive and layered, with notes of fresh herbs, mountain greenery, and a subtle mineral-cool nuance. In a preheated gaiwan, the tea opens steadily, revealing a warmer and more complex aromatic profile, where vegetal freshness is complemented by light creamy and faint resinous tones. After a brief rinse, the leaves fully awaken, and the aroma becomes deeper and more integrated, combining fresh greenery with gentle sweetness and a refined, slightly cooling character.

The aroma of the liquor is clean and airy, with a delicate sweetness and soft vegetal-mineral tones. The taste is structured and smooth, with a medium to full body and a rounded yet clearly defined texture. Fresh vegetal notes form the core of the profile, gradually developing into a mild sweetness with a subtle mineral depth and a light, controlled astringency that adds clarity. A gentle cooling sensation appears on the palate, enhancing the overall freshness. The aftertaste is long and clean, with a returning sweetness and a persistent, slightly mineral impression. In the empty cup after drinking, a soft, sweet aroma remains, combining vegetal, creamy, and faintly resinous nuances, leaving a calm and grounded final impression.
Close-up of Lục Trà Shan Tuyết dry leaves, large twisted leaves with silvery buds.
Placing Lục Trà Shan Tuyết leaves into a preheated gaiwan.
Pouring hot water over Lục Trà Shan Tuyết green tea.
First infusion with clear pale green to golden liquor.
Enjoying the fresh vegetal and mineral aroma of the infusion.
Fully opened Lục Trà Shan Tuyết tea leaves after brewing.
"GREEN SNOW SHAN holds a very special place in our green tea collection because of its distinctive character, exceptional purity, and the wild mountain environment where it is produced. I fell in love with this tea the very first time I tasted it. Its subtle smoky and resinous notes create an unmistakable profile unlike any other green tea in our collection.

I often call it a true mountain tea because this is the style of tea traditionally enjoyed by people living in the highlands of northern Vietnam. Honest, expressive, and deeply connected to its place of origin, it offers an experience that stands apart from more refined or delicate green teas. For those who appreciate teas with a strong sense of identity and terroir, GREEN SNOW SHAN deserves a place in any serious tea collection."

— Andrei Ivanovs, Founder of AN SHIM TEA
GREEN TEA
Explore more Green Teas from the AN SHIM TEA Collection.