Wushan Eagle Tea

Wushan Eagle Tea

　　    Eagle Tea: It is a woody plant of the Lauraceae family, directly referred to as the "Eagle Tea tree" in the *Records of Wild Economic Plants in Sichuan*. It is an evergreen arbor with alternate leaves that are thick and dark green in color. This tree is widespread in the mountainous regions of Sichuan. Its tender branches and leaves are harvested, sun-dried, and then used to make tea. Locals call it Eagle Tea, also known as Lao Yin Tea, especially in rural areas of Sichuan where there is a tradition of self-picking, self-processing, and self-drinking Eagle Tea. In towns and transportation hubs, sun-brewed Eagle Tea can be found everywhere. Even in large cities like Chongqing and Chengdu, this kind of iced tea is common—you can drink your fill for just a small amount of money. Eagle Tea contains a lot of aromatic oils and polyphenolic compounds. When brewed, it offers a fragrant aroma, a rich taste that starts slightly astringent but ends sweet. First-time drinkers might say, "The smell is off-putting," but regular drinkers often find that Eagle Tea has a strong kick, a bold flavor, and refreshes the palate. It's especially refreshing in summer, quenching thirst and invigorating the spirit.

　　        It can be seen that the production of Eagle Tea involves direct sun-drying without undergoing fermentation. Therefore, Eagle Tea should be classified as a type of green tea.