Fingting Luxue (jingting green snow)
A small snowstorm among the swirling green leaves in the cup is created by the prominent white
hairs on the leaves of this tea, hence the name.
Old books describe it as one of the famous tribute teas presented to the emperors as early as the
Eastern Jin dynasty (A.D. 317~420)and on up through Ming and Qing. If this information is reliable,
it dates the beginning of tribute tea much earlier than the usually accepted time during the reign
of Emperor Tang Tai Zong (626~649). However, the word generally translated as "tribute," a euphemism
for a form of taxation, is often used rather loosely to mean "gift."
This rather rare tea is not available abroad or indeed in many parts of china. It si sold only near
the place where it is grown, Mt. Jingting in eastern Anhui province. But if you ever find yourself
near the cities of Suzhou or Zhenjiang in nearby Jiangsu province, you must sample its fresh, aromatic
taste, and might want to take some home.
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