The legend of Lu Wu tea has its roots in the heart of ancient China, where mist enveloped the Jiangxi mountains at dawn. According to local tales, it was a renowned Buddhist monk, Hui Yuan, who created this exceptional tea. Solitary in his temple perched high in the mountains, he sought a beverage that would accompany his long, meditative vigils without hindering his mental clarity. Nature then offered him, in the gentle humidity of the five mountains, a tea whose cool, light infusion promoted awakening and serenity.
Gradually, news of this miraculous beverage spread among monks, scholars, and poets, who praised the purity of Lu Wu and its ability to connect earth and heaven with its veil of mist. Thus, the magic of Lu Wu was born from a simple gesture, that of the meditator united with nature, and became, throughout the centuries, a symbol of inspiration and harmony in tea culture.
Lu Wu thrives in the shelter of mist-shrouded mountains, hence its name, which literally means "green mist." This misty blanket, combined with a warm, humid climate, promotes the slow growth of young shoots, enriches the leaves with essential oils, and gives the buds exceptional tenderness. Not all gardens are created equal; only those located at high altitudes, with rich, well-drained soil, allow the leaves to develop this remarkable aromatic intensity.
Tradition holds that Lu Wu has long been associated with waking up and comforting the workers and inhabitants of the region. While other green teas have distinguished themselves among the imperial elite, Lu Wu has become a staple in everyday use, prized for its mildness and approachability, while retaining a precious image as a "gift from the mist" reserved for those in the know. This noble simplicity has earned it a deep local attachment and, today, the growing interest of Western enthusiasts seeking authentic and exclusive teas.
The Lu Wu production process perpetuates traditional methods. The harvest, entirely by hand, takes place around spring when the shoots are at their most delicate. The leaves, rolled by hand, sometimes on bamboo trays, gradually take on the twisted shape that characterizes this tea. Heat stabilization in cauldrons or woks aims to preserve the vibrant color and lock in the aromas, before a final rolling and optimized drying to retain the tea's freshness.
Lu Wu is the magic of everyday life elevated to something sublime, the scent of a preserved terroir, and the tactile memory of ancestral gestures, passed down from the skilled hands of the pickers to the cup of the curious taster. A true poem of mist and simplicity.
