Imperial Tea

Premium Grade Green Tea

Tea › Green Tea › Imperial

Overview

Imperial Tea (贡茶 - Gong Cha) represents the highest quality grade of Chinese green tea, traditionally reserved for Chinese emperors. The term denotes teas made exclusively from the youngest, most tender leaves and buds, carefully processed to perfection.

In modern tea commerce, "Imperial" denotes the premium grade - typically the first or second flush of the season, hand-processed with exceptional care. These teas command premium prices in auctions worldwide.

Characteristics

Leaf

  • • Exclusively bud and two leaves
  • • Uniform, perfect leaves
  • • High silver tip content
  • • Hand-processed

Cup

  • • Delicate, sweet flavor
  • • Complex aroma
  • • Long, pleasant finish
  • • Multiple flavor notes

Production Standards

Plucking: Only by hand, early morning, strict selection
Processing: Expert artisans handle each batch
Quality Control: Multiple inspections for perfection

Brewing

Use 70-75°C water and steep for 1-2 minutes. Imperial teas are delicate and benefit from shorter steeps. Can yield 3-4 excellent re-infusions with evolving flavors.