Tunlu (Tunxi Green), a Time-Honored Name
The name Tunlu is a contraction for Tunxi Green, referring to various teas well known on the HongKong
and foreign markets since early in this century. Tunxi is a mountain city located where the southernmost
corner of Anhui procince meets Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces. Once, all the tea from a large surrounding
area in the three provinces was brought there for processing and shipping. Since 1949 some of the areas
have been producing tea under their own names, including Wulu and Suilu (Wuyuan county, Jiangxi and Sui'an,
once a county in Zhejiang).
Tunlu tea may still be remembered in some countries by the names under which it was once known: Spcial
Tribute in Russia, Chunmee (Chunmei, Zhenmei, precious Eyebrow) and Oolong Chunmee in Europe, and Fengmei
(Phoenix Eyebrow), E'mei (Moth's Eyebrow), and Xiamu (Shrimp's Eyes) in the U.S.
In 1960 the varieties were renamed in order of quality as: Chunmee, fine taut, eyebrow-shaped strips with
strong fragrance and mellow taste, outstanding among green teas and popular both in China and abroad; Gongxi
(Tribute to Emperor Kang Xi), shaped like grains of various sizes; Xiumei (Elegant Eyebrow); and Fuxi
(Supplementary Tribute).