Lu'an Guapian (Lu'an Melon Seeds)

Perhaps the unusual appearance of this tea has contributed to its position as one of the five best
known green teas inside China. The processed leaves are shaped like melon seeds. This is a product of
Lu'an county in the Dabie Mountains of western Anhui province.

Instead of plucking two leaves and a bud as is customary for most teas, the farmers have traditionally
preferred to break off sections of the branches (in a controlled way, let us hope) and separate the leaves
and buds at home. From the buds they make other varieties of high-quality tea: Yinzhen (Silver Needles, made from
the buds); from the first leaf, Tipian (Emerging Plates); from the second leaf, Guapian; and from the third,
meipian (Plum Blossom Petals).

A special step in processing Guapian is heat-drying over alternately low and high heat. This helps form the shape
and adds to the strong, fresh aroma of a sweet beverage with a long-lasting infusion.