Rich, creamy, fruity and mineral all wrapped up in a brothy yet delicate liquor. Bi Luo Chun is a wondrous tea when you find the right batch and this one is a beauty.
Bi Luo Chun aka Jade Green Snail Spring is a really famous Chinese tea often cited alongside Long Jing as one of the greatest Greens in China. Top-grade Bi Luo Chun commands a high price but it has such a snob value that even medium-quality tea is quite expensive.
The problem with Bi Luo Chun is that it is a very fussy tea. Everything from the terroirs, to the picking, to the processing has to be perfect, otherwise Bi Luo Chun can fall very quickly from its lofty heights and become an overpriced tea without much character. Most teas are a lot more forgiving than Bi Luo Chun and that makes finding the perfect batch such a mission for us at Mei Leaf.
This Green Coil was picked in March 2026 in the Dong Shan region of Dong Ting Mountain in Jiangsu province. This is the ultimate terroir for Bi Luo Chun. We have tried to find other regions, but we have found all other tea to be a poor substitute for Dong Ting Bi Luo Chun.
It is a vibrant and rich tea whilst maintaining a bright and light demeanour. The buds and leaves are so delicate and fine from perfect firing and hand-rolling in small batches.
On the nose, there is a distinct savoury and buttery character which melds wonderfully with sweet red bean paste, hot summer meadows and lotus flower.
In the mouth, there is a whisper of hot wok underpinning a lush taste of buttered sweetcorn, cooked lotus seeds, pear and elderflower.
The aftertaste is creamy, twangy and floral - the character of a special batch of Bi Luo Chun.
If you have never tried Bi Luo Chun then this is the pinnacle to lock into your taste memory. If you have ever bought Bi Luo Chun and been a bit non-plussed by its taste (compared with price) then please give this batch a try and we think that you will have a fresh appreciation of this famous tea.
