Liu An Gua Pian is made from single leaves that are pan-fired over low heat and shaped into flat oval shapes resembling melon seeds. This tea is complex and distinctly sweet but has distinctive thirst-quenching properties. Liu An Gua Pian is rated as one of the top 10 of China’s tea.
The plucking and processing of Liu An Gua Pian is unique and difficult. The pickers must carefully select the second leaf from the top and avoid buds and stems. Each leaf’s central vein is then cut out and the leaves are pan-fired over low heat. To finish the tea, the leaves are roasted over an open wood charcoal fire. Roasting time is determined by the tea master and is considered critical in finishing the tea to a high quality.
Origin: Liu An, Anhui province, China
Flavour profile: Fresh | Sweet | Spice
Harvest: Late harvest