Biluochun Tea (Piluochun)
Dongting and Zhejiang Varieties
Three superb Biluochun teas from Jiangsu Province (West and East Dongting Mountain) and Zhejiang Province, all harvested in March 2011.
For a long time, I fondly called her the Elusive One.
What's the inner magic of this No 2 of Chinese green tea? I spent three long years looking for an explanation - and failed.
The breakthrough came only in 2008/09, then 2011 - when we finally discover these AAA and Jipin grades.
Tender Tea Buds
In China, tender tea buds are synonymous with quality.
They have the highest concentration of soluble solids. When steeped in hot water, they release large amount of theanine and antioxidants.
What other teas can be more refined and delicate than a Biluochun?
See the picture above? The white patches are downy hairs, often a reliable sign of quality.
One kilogram can have 14,000 to 15,000 buds. It was said that the highest record ever known was 18,000!
This is a tea that you can drink with your entire body, and feel her refreshing effects rippling all day long.
Dongting Lake
In China, West Lake is regarded as the birthplace of Dragon
Well tea, while Dongting Lake is regarded as the birthplace of
Biluochun tea.
They are considered the No 1 and 2 of Chinese tea. One is famous for its nutty fragrance - the other its tender tea buds.
The Lake has some 90 islands and is a popular tourist attraction.
There are two mountains. The East Mountain is a peninsula. The West Mountain is an island in the Lake.
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Dongting AAA grade (March 2011) - 50 grams
This AAA grade comes from the Dongting East Mountain.
The moderate climate, damp air and slightly acidic soil make Dongting Mountain a paradise for growing tea and fruit trees.
Fruit trees and tea bushes grow together, side by side, giving Biluochun tea wonderful floral aroma and fruity flavor.
In China, we say she tastes "xian", a word that is probably best translated as fresh, unami or brothy.
The same word is often used to described seafood. How does fresh seafood compare to stale seafood? You get the idea.
Dongting Jipin grade (March 2011) - 50 grams
This Jipin grade comes from the Dongting West Mountain and represents the best of "At the Source" biluochun tea.
Take a deep breathe when you open the tea packet. Can you smell detect the sweet, fruity aroma?
Pour hot water into your glass, and wait for the water to cool. Drop these tiny "snails" into the glass, and watch them transform into tiny tea buds. Understand that the smaller the tea buds, the higher the grades.
Swirl your tea cup gently, inhale the vapor, before taking a sip.
As you get to the second infusion, you will start to appreciate how sweet and fresh this Jipin grade is. Notice how good you feel afterwards.
Compared to AAA grade, the dry tea buds are smaller and almost powdery, and wet tea buds smaller and more tender. The flavors fuller and richer.
My testing shows that 2 grams of this tea can withstand up to 4 infusions at 195 Fahrenheit (90 degree Celsius).
Every cup is pure and rich.
Zhejiang AAA Grade (March 2011) - 50 grams
The highest grade tea from Zhejiang Province, this AAA grade tea has become one of our best-sellers. Customers love her for her fruity aroma and rich taste.
Compared to her Dongting cousin, her tea buds are equally fine and delicate. While she may not have the same intensity of exquisite flavors, she more than makes up in value of money by costing just half as much.
Zhejiang AAA Grade (March 2011) - 350 grams
You can now save $8 by buying in bulk (350 grams).
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| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Best value for money |
I have drunk well over a kilogram of the Zhejiang Biluochun in the past year or two. This must be the best value for money green tea there is out there.
From the first cup in the morning and throughout the day, the Zheijiang Biluochun both invigorates and relaxes me, an awesome combination.
What I also noticed, is that when my Biluochun supply ran out, and I changed my brand of tea, my rate of weight gain increased significantly (not sure of the reason for that).
In any event, I have learnt now to overlap my Zhejiang Biluochun orders from Julian and never to be without my favourite beverage and companion.
| Dongting AAA Grade - Like a fine European wine! |
You know, it has taken me a while to figure out what I think of these green teas for a couple of reasons:
1) The differences between the teas are subtle and complex
2) I had to learn how to brew them correctly
I have learned that although the temperature is not that different for a perfect cup of tea (185-195 F), the steep times do differ. Some teas are stronger than others and if over-steeped, become bitter, while others do better with sitting a bit longer.
Also, the amount of tea leaves used varies for the same reason.
I have been trying the Dongting Biluochun 2011 (AAA) and it is FANTASTIC.
It has both a floral aroma and flavor as well as black pepper spice! I swear it reminds me of a fine European wine in some of its characteristics!!
(I've been a wine collector for many years.)
I have tried almost all of the green teas and I am having a hard time deciding if this one is my overall favorite or if the Huangshan Maofeng 2011 (A).
The Maofeng has a spicy, almost fruity finish. Seems to have a mixture of warm, sweet spices...mostly cinnamon and a bit of Chinese Five Spice, perhaps.
The Baihao Yinzhen (Organic AAA Grade) wins the aroma contest. It has an incredible floral smell that is almost intoxicating. Its flavor is very nice, as well.
I still have to try the Anji Baicha Tea 2011 (AAA) again to compare. The Zhejiang Biluochun 2011 (AAA) is also very nice but I need to try it more to really pin it down.
Thanks again for sharing these fine teas. After my cancer diagnosis I was determined to drink as much green tea as possible to try to limit my chances of a recurrence. I had to struggle to find teas that I loved enough to really stick with this goal of improving my health.
I am grateful that you are doing such a wonderful job of providing the world with these treasures that would be hard to find any other way.
You are the best.
| AAA Grade - Fastastic tea! |
I wanted to write about the Dongting Biuochun AAA grade/ It is wonderful.
It took a few times for me to fully appreciate its subtleties, but I love this tea. It has a toasty, nutty aroma and smooth, rich flavor. I usually steep it at around 185 degrees F to preserve its fine characteristics.
What a fantastic tea. Thank you!
| Dongting AAA Grade - 5 out of 5! |
I have been drinking the Dongting Biluochun since it arrived a week ago.
If I use the correct water temperature, don't steep it too long and let it cool a bit before drinking, it has a very delicate taste with a hint of fresh sweetness that does not leave an aftertaste.
I would definitely give this early 2011 picking a 5 out of 5. It is superior to a Biluochun that I had tried from another supplier. I would certainly order it again.
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Best green tea so far! |
This is my second 350g order of Zhejiang Biluochun and I believe the best green tea I have tasted.
I have tried the Dongting, but personally I prefer the Zhejiang.
Seven or eight cups a day keeps me feeling healthy, focused and able to cope with the stresses of work.
The price also makes it an affordable, every day tea - fantastic!
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Prefer Dongting |
Now I have more insight on the Biluochun also, and I will have to say that I do prefer the Dongting variety as far as Biluochuns go.
However, it was interesting that when tasting it with my friends, we found some similarity in the base flavour to other Zhejiang teas, even a hint of Longjing. At least the infusion that we managed to get not so overly sweet. :)
The options seemed to be either very sweet and fragrant (to the point of making me even suspect if I'll get a headache from it), or with quick infusions with very few leaves it remained somehow weak.
But if one likes very strong sweetness, this is a good one. Let's say 3/5.
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Extraordinary! |
Huangshan Maofeng and Silver Needle are great teas that I enjoyed so much. The Biluochun Zhejiang, however, is very extra ordinary: Scent is very aromatic. Taste is sweet, buttery and refreshing that is so at home with my upper palate.
I will give Maofeng and Silver Needle a four star rating and the Biluochun Zhejiang a 5+.
As far as aroma and taste (quality) Biluochun Zhejiang is a tea for a very special occasion. PRICE WISE, IT IS AN EVERYDAY TEA.
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Tremendous fragrance |
This tea has a tremendous fragrance/aroma that reflected the freshness and quality of the tea. It is not a tea that I want to drink every day, but when I do drink it, I enjoy it very much, and it is a regular in my "rotation" of teas. The quality and value (based on price) are both very high in my opinion.
The Zhejiang Biluochun struck me as the better value because of the high quality of the tea, combined with the very affordable price.
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Fabulous |
I enjoyed this very much ~ will be ordering more.
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Best I have ever had |
This Tea IS amazing, and delivery was prompt!
I haven't tried many really high end teas, but this is the best tea I have ever had.
Thank you very much. I will be ordering more.
| Dongting AAA Grade - 5/5 compared to other green teas. |
They were all very good, my favorite was the dongting bilochun. I would give it a 5/5 compared to other green teas.
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Really appreciate the flavors |
I would give the Biluochun a 5 out of 5. I really appreciate the subtlety and complexity of the flavors. My father also really enjoyed the tea. Now I know what to give him for Father's Day!
Thanks for the great service and attention to detail.
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Second best of the year 2010 |
Along with some Biluochun, which I earlier rated not so well... But after sampling Biluochun from several other sources, I have to take my earlier comments a bit back.
Now I would grade yours the second best of the year 2010. (Number one goes to Biluochun from Beijing's famous teashop Wu Yu Tai.)
Still, not very rewarding year for Biluochun, I already cannot wait for the next season.
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - The tea is great! |
Hi Julian, the tea is great! I'm not much of an expert on green tea (yet!), but I thought the Zhejiang Biluochun was fantastic.
I love the delicate aroma and flavor, and at half the price of the dongting biluochun it's a great deal! I should leave room for other teas, so I give it a 4/5!
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - My favorite |
They are all pleasant to drink. I would rate them '5', because they are the best that I've tasted so far.
| Zhejiang AAA Grade - Amazing |
Speed of delivery was incredible, the tea arrived after a few days.
About quality of teas - the Zhejiang Biluochun tea is amazing, his never ending fruity taste, freshness and sweetness - I love it - one of the best tea I ever had.
The price is very acceptable.
| Dongting AAA Grade - Really love it |
Hello Julian!... The tea that I am drinking now is Dongting Biluochun (AAA).
I really love the the Dongting tea - it smells so fresh and sweet when you open the packet) and the flavor is very delicate, it's definitely a "5" for me! The quality of your tea is superb. One of my friends would like to try drinking green tea for health benefits, and I told her I'd bring her a sample of your tea, so she could start with pure tea of great quality.
I am very happy I found your website and very pleased with teas I've tried so far. Thank you again!
| Dongting AAA Grade - Peripheral vision gets clearer |
After a few weeks of drinking the tea, this is how I can rate them so far: The 2009 Bi Luo Chun is absolutely a 5 out of 5. The first pour it reveals a sweetness, the second pour a wonderful astringency and the third pour releases this citrus note that clings to your tongue, like morning dew on the buds of a cherry blossom.
After drinking this tea, I find that my peripheral vision gets clearer. It also fills me with a pleasant amount of energy and calmness.
How to Brew
Being the most delicate of Chinese green tea, Biluochun tea can be sensitive to high temperature.
The problem is exacerbated by its deceptive "lightweight" appearance. If you are not using a scale, chances are you are using more leaves than you are supposed to!
Don't get me wrong, they are not low quality. I have got away with using off-the-boiled water. But she is different from other green teas, and if you are used to brewing Dragon Well tea, you would need to adjust your expectation.
A good starting point is to use 2 grams of tea leaves with 8 ounces (225 milliliters) of water.
Pour hot water of 160 Fahrenheit (70 degree Celsius) into a glass. Slow drop your tea buds into the hot water.
Steep until most of the tea buds has sink to the bottom of the glass and the tea liquor turns yellow. This will take 5 to 10 minutes for the first infusion.
Also, if you haven't got a thermometer and a scale, and have got plenty of time on you hand, you can try using the "Fish Feeding" method as recommended by my customer Konrad below.
Fish Feeding Method
I have a dummy proof method of brewing Bilochun and Mengding Ganlu.
I pour boiling water into a pot or glass, then wait until the water no longer sting the tip of my finger. I do this by quickly dip and retract my index finger.
I then drop a small amount of tea leaves at a time. They should sink quickly. Once the leaves start to linger at the top, I stop and let it infuse for around 20 minutes.
I can get two brews of very sweet tea this way; second brewing will require that I pour the same amount of water onto the wet leaves.
Now, the tea leaves are dropped into the water slowly, not all at once, much like feeding fish.
(You feed fish over a 1 to 5 minute period depending on how many fish you are feeding. If you dump the entire food altogether, a lot will be wasted.)
With these lower temperature brewing teas, I think I take around one minute to drop the tea leaves, to give time for the sunken leaves to release their nutrients.
Once the water is saturated enough with the released nutrients, the newly dropped leaves will not be able to sink readily. This is where the experience will tell you how much more tea leaves your glass can take.
For further information about packaging, brewing, maturation and storage, read Dragon Well Tea - Further Guide.
Also In This Section...
Biluochun Green Tea (Pi Lo Chun) - Three Different Types To Know
Also known as Pi Lo Chun, Dong Ting Biluochun tea was once considered the No 1 of Chinese green tea. It is renowned for its delicate appearance, fruity taste and downy white hair.
