Zhen Mei珍眉

Zhen Mei is a green tea from Taishun County, Zhejiang, China (originally Jiangxi). Brew it at 85°C with 3g of leaf per 100ml of water; expect up to 5 short infusions in a small gaiwan or teapot. No rinse needed.

Tasting notes

Zhen Mei is the loud one at the green tea table. The curved eyebrow-shaped leaves brew up sharper and brisker than almost any other Chinese green — there's a pronounced chestnut nose, a definite astringency right in the middle of the palate, and a clean sweet aftertaste that only arrives once the brisk bite has passed. Some people love it for exactly this; others find it abrasive compared to the softer bud teas. It's been exported for a century because it's sturdy, cheap, and it travels well. The brewing catch is counter-intuitive — because it tastes strong, people reach for hot water, and boiling water destroys what little finesse it has. Eighty-five degrees is the top of the safe range. A lower leaf ratio keeps the astringency from dominating. This is also one of the few greens that brews well grandpa-style in a mug; the sturdy leaves hold up to prolonged contact where a delicate Long Jing would collapse.

Flavor profile

A widely produced Chinese green tea named for its thin, curved leaves that resemble eyebrows. The flavor is stronger and sharper than most Chinese greens, with a pronounced chestnut aroma and a brisk astringency that resolves into a clean, sweet aftertaste. The brewed liquor is clear yellow-green. One of China's most exported green teas — more assertive and less delicate than premium bud teas, making it a sturdy everyday drinker.

Terroir

Low to mid-altitude subtropical hills

Cultivar: Various Chinese small-leaf cultivars

Brewing

1. Steep 1: 20 seconds
2. Steep 2: 20 seconds
3. Steep 3: 30 seconds
4. Steep 4: 40 seconds
5. Steep 5: 55 seconds

More forgiving than delicate bud teas but don't use boiling water — 85-90°C is the sweet spot. The brisk character makes it a good candidate for grandpa-style brewing too.

Aroma & taste

Processing

• pan-fired
• rolled into curved eyebrow shape

Sources

• https://www.teavivre.com/info/brew-zhen-mei-green-tea.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chun_Mee
• https://www.teavivre.com/info/choosing-chun-mei-green-tea.html