Dayong Maojian

Dayong Maojian

　　Dayong Maojian: Also known as Maoping Maojian, it is one of China’s famous green teas, an unfermented tea produced in Dayong City, Hunan. The tea leaves are robust, round, and plump in shape.

　　Legend has it that Maoping Maojian tea originated during the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1620 AD). Zhu Ruhui, the fifth prince of Prince Wuchang, fled the political turmoil caused by Wei Zhongxian’s abuse of power and went into hiding on Mount Heng in Hunan. There, he took refuge under Master Tianyue at Feihua Temple on Mount Heng, adopting the monastic name and shaving his head to become a monk. Later, due to frequent political unrest, he moved to the upper reaches of Maoping in the city, where he built a hut that is now known as Dabeian Temple. He took the dharma name “Hengxing” and planted tea trees on both sides of Dabeian Temple. After careful cultivation, he developed a lush and verdant tea plantation. Eventually, through meticulous picking and processing, he produced a premium-quality tea with a fragrant aroma, mellow taste, beautiful color, and refreshing effect on the mind and lungs—known today as Maoping Maojian.

　　Dayong Maojian – Characteristics

　　The finished tea features robust, round, and plump leaves with visible silver tips and vibrant green color, exuding the natural freshness of high mountain regions. It has a rich, sweet, and refreshing taste. High-quality tea production in this region dates back to before the Western Jin Dynasty, and during the Ming Dynasty, it was offered as a tribute tea. In the Qing Dynasty, it continued to be a tribute item, known as “Maoping Tribute Tip.” In May 1982, at a famous tea evaluation conference, Professor Lu Songhou, a renowned tea expert from Hunan Agricultural College, commented after observing and tasting Dayong Maoping Maojian: “Maoping Maojian is a top-grade green tea of the Mao Feng type, with slender and delicate strips, covered in white fuzz, and exhibiting a glossy, emerald-green hue.” Soon after, Maoping Maojian entered the international market and was exported to countries such as Singapore and Germany.

　　Dayong Maojian – History

　　Dayong Maojian originated during the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1620 AD). Zhu Ruhui, the fifth prince of Prince Wuchang, fled the political chaos caused by Wei Zhongxian’s abuse of power and went into hiding on Mount Heng in Hunan. There, he took refuge under Master Tianyue at Feihua Temple on Mount Heng, adopting the monastic name and shaving his head to become a monk. Later, due to frequent political unrest, he moved to the upper reaches of Maoping in the city, where he built a hut that is now known as Dabeian Temple. He took the dharma name “Hengxing” and planted tea trees on both sides of Dabeian Temple. After careful cultivation, he developed a lush and verdant tea plantation. Eventually, through meticulous picking and processing, he produced a premium-quality tea with a fragrant aroma, mellow taste, beautiful color, and refreshing effect on the mind and lungs—known today as Maoping Maojian.