Shiting Green Tea

Shiting Green Tea

Shiting Green Tea is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Nanan Shiting Green, also known as Shiting Tea, is a pan-fired green tea famous for its "three greens and three fragrances" qualities. It features a tightly rolled shape, solid body, silver-grayish green appearance, crystal-clear emerald liquor, and bright tender green leaves—showcasing the beauty of the "three greens." The taste is mellow and refreshing, with a rich fragrance that resembles orchid blossoms as well as the scents of mung beans and almonds, collectively praised as the "three fragrances."

　　Shiting Green is produced in the Jiuri Mountain and Lotus Peak areas of Fengzhou Township, Nanan, Fujian. "Flowers bloom in all seasons amid frequent rains, yet no snow falls in winter but thunder is heard"—this line from Tang Dynasty poet Han Wo’s poem about Jiuri Mountain truly captures the region’s natural climate. Located along the southern Fujian coast, the area enjoys a mild climate with rare frost or snow. Influenced by coastal monsoons, the weather alternates between sun and cloud, offering moderate sunlight and fertile, loose soil—all ideal natural conditions for tea tree growth. According to the Record of Quanzhou Prefecture, Jiuri Mountain got its name because “locals would climb here on the Double Ninth Festival.” The mountain stands 100 meters tall, surrounded by peaks to the east, west, and north, and features 74 cliff inscriptions of great historical value.

　　Lotus Peak, anciently called Lotus Rock, earned its name from its eight split stone petals resembling a lotus flower. “A lone sail’s distant shadow rises from the clouds, twin temples hang high as they welcome the sun.” From Lotus Peak, looking ahead you’ll see the Golden Rooster Broken Bridge restraining the waters of the East and West Creeks, with shimmering blue waves reflecting the sky; at eye level, Qingyuan and Shuangyang Mountains stand in the northeast, presenting a magnificent view; in the distance, the East and West Pagodas shine under the sun, guarding the city of Li; up close, lush tea bushes thrive—this is where the famous Shiting Green tea is produced.

　　On Lotus Peak stands a stone pavilion, also known as the Immortal Pavilion, built in the first year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1506). Legend has it that during the late Song Dynasty, two monks from Yanfu Temple—Jingye and Shengyin—discovered wild tea trees among the rocks of Lotus Peak. They carefully cultivated and processed them, producing tea that became a treasured offering for Buddhist ceremonies. After the pavilion was built, more pilgrims and visitors came, and the tea became a favored gift and hospitality item.

　　Historical Origins   Shiting Tea

　　Due to the tea’s superior quality and its monastic origins, demand grew steadily. The pavilion gained prestige through the tea, and the tea gained fame through the pavilion—further enhancing the reputation of Shiting Green.

　　Here, a cliff inscription documenting tea-related events reads: “In the eleventh month of the Jiyou year (1201) during the Jiatai era, Magistrate Ni Si zhengfu conducted a wind-praying ceremony at Zhaohui Temple in accordance with official protocol. After the ceremony, he climbed Jiuri Mountain, rested at the Nostalgia Hall, paid respects at the tomb of Tang Dynasty Chancellor Jiang Gong, and then returned after engaging in a tea competition at Lotus Rock.” This shows that the renowned Shiting Green tea from Jiuri Mountain and Lotus Peak has a history of nearly a thousand years. By the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, tea cultivation had expanded from a few monks on Lotus Peak to widespread farming by local peasants. With Lotus Peak at its center, dozens of nearby mountains—including Wushi Mountain, Xikeng, Shima Mountain, Fahua Mountain, and Wuhua Mountain—also began producing Shiting Tea.

　　Fresh Shiting Green Tea and   Shiting Green Tea

　　Aged Shiting Green Tea: Fresh Shiting Green Tea has a bright green appearance with luster and a strong tea aroma. The brewed tea has an emerald-green liquor with fragrances of freshness, orchid, and roasted chestnuts, offering a sweet, smooth taste and bright, tender green leaves.

　　Aged Shiting Green Tea has a yellowish, dull appearance with no luster, and a subdued aroma. If you blow warm air onto the leaves, the moist areas appear yellow and dry, with a cool scent. The brewed tea has a deep yellow liquor, a thick but not refreshing taste, and dull yellowish leaves.

　　Spring, Summer, and Autumn Teas: Spring tea features plump, robust buds and leaves, dark green color with sheen, tightly rolled and heavy strips. The brewed tea has a strong, mellow, and refreshing taste, a rich aroma, and soft, bright leaves. Summer tea has coarser, looser strips, mixed colors, and distinct woody leaf buds. The brewed tea tastes astringent, with hard leaves, visible veins, and some copper-green leaves.

　　Autumn tea has tightly twisted, fine, thin strips with multiple veins, light and green in color. The brewed tea has a light-colored liquor, mild and slightly sweet taste, a faint aroma, and soft leaves with many copper-colored single leaves.

　　High-mountain Shiting Green Tea and Lowland Shiting Green Tea: High-mountain Shiting Green Tea has thick, heavy strips, green color with gloss. The brewed tea has a bright green liquor, lasting aroma, rich taste, bright leaves, and soft leaf texture.

　　Lowland Shiting Green Tea has thin, exposed-vein, lightweight strips, yellowish-green color. The brewed tea has a light-colored liquor, plain aroma, mellow taste, harder leaves, and visible veins.

　　Shiting Green Tea

　　 Nanan City Shiting Green Tea Research Association

　　 8757651

　　 Tea