Qing Cheng Xue Ya  青城雪芽

Today I am talking to you about a tea that I really like: Qing Cheng Xue Ya green tea from Sichuan, also called “Snowy sprouts of Mount Qing Cheng”.
This tea grows in Dujiangyan, on Mount Qing Cheng which is located not far from the other famous mountain that hosts countless teas, Mount Mingshan (名山).

Mount Qing Cheng is a sacred mountain to Taoism that is said to be born right here. Known as the fifth of the most famous Taoist mountains, it has always hosted many temples and Taoist mythology tells that one of these was the one where the Yellow Emperor came to complete his studies. With its thirty-six peaks it stands out particularly since, unlike the Mingshan which is always covered with snow in winter, the Qing Cheng is green in every season and its shape vaguely resembles that of a wall. This is why it has earned the name Qing Cheng meaning “green city”.
Lu Yu in his Canon of Tea defines it as “the best tea”.

Its leaves are impeccably processed, are silky, needle-shaped, small, thin, straight and are white not only for the buds but also for the slightly greyish color of the leaves themselves.
Here is revealed the reason for the name Xue Ya that is “Snowy sprouts”.

The wet leaves have a light scent of boiled courgette, while the pale yellow liqueur gives off a scent of flowers with hints of wild strawberry and milk.

The taste is delicious and very delicate with a round body and a milky but not greasy texture.
Just astringent, it is sweet with hints of sourness that make it an elegant tea.