Laozhu Dafang tea is a green tea produced near Yuling Pass in She County, Anhui Province, China. The name “Laozhu Dafang” originates from a legendary monk named Dafang, who was skilled in tea-making and planted tea at Laozhu Ridge in She County, hence the name. Established during the Ming Dynasty for its exceptional quality, it became a designated tribute tea by the Qing Dynasty.
Laozhu Dafang tea is produced near Yuling Pass in She County, Anhui Province, China, primarily concentrated in the three areas of Zhupu, Sanyangken, and Jinchuan, with the tea from Laozhu Ridge being the finest. The region is predominantly mountainous, with many tea gardens situated at altitudes above 1,200 meters, boasting abundant rainfall and organic-rich soil. Produced in such an environment, Laozhu Dafang yields exceptional quality.
Some of the most famous production areas include Laozhulingtou, Shikengyashang, Cuiping Mountain, Huangpingwei, Fuquan Mountain, Laoren Rock, Xianren Peak, and Yazitang.
Production Method
Tea leaves harvested between Guyu and Lidong are considered the best, typically consisting of one bud with two or three leaves. After harvesting, the leaves undergo sorting and withering. The production process involves harvesting, fixing (shaqing), rolling, shaping (zuopei), and flattening. Among these, the shaping step is the most unique: it uses a barrel-shaped wok heated to 130°C. Once the tea leaves are added, they are quickly shaken to release moisture. A small amount of tea oil is applied to the wok walls to straighten the tea strips and gradually flatten their shape. After shaping, the leaves are removed from the wok, spread out to cool, and then subjected to the flattening process. The purpose of flattening is to press the tea leaves flat, using the palms to pat them into a flat shape.
High-quality Laozhufang tea should feature a flat, uniform, upright, and vibrant green appearance. When brewed, it yields a clear liquor with a lingering, high aroma reminiscent of roasted chestnuts.
Dafang tea can also be further processed and scented; “Hua Dafang,” “Zhulan Dafang,” and “Jasmine Dafang” are all renowned processed Dafang tea products.
Brewing Guide
Brew with spring water at 85°C for about 1 minute. It can be steeped approximately 3 to 4 times.