Chacodex

Biluochun

A rare spring tea with tiny spiral-shaped leaves, grown among fruit orchards that impart subtle sweetness.

Type
Green Tea
Origin
China · Jiangsu
Oxidation
none
Caffeine
medium
Brew temp
70–75°C
Brew time
1–2 min
Flavor notes
fruity, floral, delicate

History

Biluochun (Green Snail Spring) has been cultivated since the Tang dynasty in Jiangsu province's Dong Shan and Xi Shan mountains near Lake Tai. Legend says Emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty renamed it from 'Xia Sha Ren Xiang' (Scary Fragrance) to the more elegant Biluochun. The tea bushes grow interplanted with plum, apricot, and peach trees, whose blossoms impart a natural fruity sweetness to the tea - a unique terroir that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Processing

Only the tiniest buds and first leaves are picked in early spring - it takes about 60,000–80,000 buds to make one kilogram of tea. The leaves are pan-fired in a wok and simultaneously rolled into their characteristic tight spiral shape. The entire process is done by hand with remarkable speed and precision, with the leaves curling into tiny snail-like spirals covered in fine white down.

Tasting Notes

Appearance

Tiny, tightly spiraled leaves covered in fine white-silver down (pekoe). The liquor is a clear, light yellowish-green.

Aroma

Extraordinarily fragrant - fruity with notes of peach, apricot, and plum from the neighboring orchards, layered over a fresh, clean green tea base.

Taste

Delicate and complex with natural fruit sweetness, a subtle floral character, and a refreshing clean finish. One of the most nuanced and elegant Chinese green teas.

Brewing Guide

Western Style

  • Leaf: 3g per 200ml
  • Water: 70–75°C (158–167°F)
  • Time: 1–2 minutes
  • Infusions: 2–3 infusions

Gongfu Style

  • Leaf: 4g per 100ml
  • Water: 75°C (167°F)
  • Time: 30s first, +10s each subsequent
  • Infusions: 4–6 infusions

Step-by-step

  1. Use gentle heat. Water at 70–75°C protects the delicate buds and preserves the fruity fragrance. Tip: This tea is among the most temperature-sensitive - err on the cooler side.
  2. Pour water first. Uniquely, pour the water into the glass first, then add the tea leaves. This prevents scorching the tiny, delicate buds. Tip: Watch the downy spirals slowly sink and unfurl - it's mesmerizing.
  3. Brief steep. Steep only 1–2 minutes. The tiny leaves release flavor quickly. Tip: Over-steeping will mask the subtle fruit notes with bitterness.

Health Benefits

  • Extremely high in antioxidants due to early spring harvest
  • Rich in amino acids from the young buds
  • Contains moderate caffeine for gentle stimulation
  • May help improve skin health due to high polyphenol content
  • Traditionally believed to support clear thinking

Food Pairings

  • Fresh spring fruit - peaches, apricots, and plums
  • Light seafood, especially steamed freshwater fish
  • Delicate pastries and fruit tarts
  • Soft, mild cheeses
  • Simple salads with citrus dressing

Buying Guide

What to look for

  • Tiny, tightly spiraled leaves with abundant white down
  • Strong, natural fruity fragrance before brewing
  • Very small leaf size - large leaves indicate lower grade
  • Pre-Qingming harvest for the highest quality

Quality indicators

  • Authentic Dong Ting (East or West Mountain) origin near Lake Tai
  • Hand-picked and hand-rolled - machine processing crushes the delicate buds
  • Early spring harvest (before Qingming Festival)
  • Abundant silver-white pekoe covering the leaves

Price range: $15–30 for standard, $40–70 for authentic Dong Ting origin, $100+ for pre-Qingming handcrafted

Storage: Very perishable - store sealed in the refrigerator and consume within 2–3 months for the best fruity fragrance.

Fun Facts

  • It takes up to 80,000 hand-picked buds to produce just one kilogram of Biluochun.
  • The tea's unique fruity flavor comes from growing among fruit orchards - a natural terroir that can't be artificially replicated.
  • Emperor Kangxi supposedly found the original name 'Scary Fragrance' too crude for such an elegant tea.
  • Authentic Dong Ting Biluochun is so rare that most 'Biluochun' on the market is from other regions.

Related Teas

Where to buy Biluochun

Vendors we trust who currently stock Biluochun. See all vendors.