Xin Yang Mao Jian, also known as “Yu Maofeng” is a type of green tea which is manufactured, plucked and processed in Xinyang, Henan, China. There are many qualities that make this tea one of the finest in all of China. The dried leaves are tender, round and smooth with bright tippy ends to the leaves. Xin Yang Mao Jian also has a very strong aromatic scent, a bold flavor and a green liquor when brewed.
Choosing the Best Quality Xin Yang Mao Jian
The tea brewed from Xin Yang Mao Jian is very beautiful and unique with a delicious flavor and distinctive aroma. The color of the brewed tea is a spring green color which is clean and bright and has a lovely scent. The overall flavor of Xin Yang Mao Jian is sweet and refreshing, and when you brew and taste this tea it will conjure images of bright greenery. The brewed liquor of Yu Maofeng is either a bright yellow green to bright green and has a strong, pleasant nose to it.
How to Distinguish the Highest Quality Xin Yang Mao Jian
With high quality Xin Yang Mao Jian Chinese green tea, the newest and freshest buds and leaves are the best. They should have a bright green color and a very clear and pleasant aroma. The buds and tips of the leaves should be able to be seen clearly in the dried leaves. Although this tea will keep for a long time when stored properly, it is at its best when drank fresh and recently plucked!
You should stay away from Xin Yang Mao Jian which looks dull or old and is black-green without any tips. The flavor and aroma will be dulled and altered, and the liquor itself will be cloudy or bitter with a plain, thin taste. Stay away from these teas as they are not acceptable quality for drinking. Storage of the Xin Yang Mao Jian should be proper storage in a dark, cool, and dry place where it is sealed away from airflow. If you do not store this tea properly the leaves will turn yellow soon.
Proper Brewing and Steeping of Xin Yang Mao Jian
To properly brew your Xin Yang Mao Jian you will first need to pre-warm your cup by swirling boiling water in it for a few seconds then discarding the water. Next add the amount of tea leaves you would like according to your own tastes and Teavivre's brewing guidelines.
As with all green teas, you should use a much lower water temperature to brew the leaves in so that they will not end up scorched and bitter. The ideal temperature for brewing your Xin Yang Mao Jing is between 85-90 degrees Celsius, and you can cool it as needed for drinking.
Proper Storage of Xin Yang Mao Jian
To keep your Xin Yang Mao Jian Chinese green tea at its best and most fresh, you should always store your teas in a dry area away from moisture or humidity as well as being away from strong odors. It should also be stored in a cool place, well sealed where light and air cannot reach it. For more information, read our article on the proper storage of tea at Teavivre.
The History and Legend of Xin Yang Mao Jian
A long time ago in China, there was a strange disease in Xin Yang which afflicted all of the local people, that could not be cured by medicine at that time. A young village girl searched and searched for help to cure her village.
One day, the young village girl came upon an old man, who told her that if she could cross 99 mountains to find a very special tree and return to her village with the leaves in 10 days, her village would be cured.
So the village girl took up her crusade to save her fellow villagers, and crossed the 99 mountains and found the special tree. However, when she found it, she had no energy to walk the long distance back to her village. The guardian of the special tree took pity on the girl and turned her into a bird, which carried the tea leaves and seeds of that special tree home to her village. The villagers were all cured by the leaves and the local villagers began to plant this tree, which became a large tea garden.
That is how Xin Yang Mao Jian is said to have been discovered, and its roots are deep within Chinese history and folklore as so many other teas are. This delicious and beautiful green tea from China has much to say and offer a tea enthusiast.