In the heart of the Wuling mountains in Hunan province lies a still-pristine land, shrouded in mist and deep forests: the terroir of Gu Zhang Mao Jian, literally "Fluffy Peak of the Guzhang Valley." This rare green tea, long overshadowed by the famous Lung Ching or Pi Luo Chun, possesses a soul as pure as its silky leaves.
In these mountains, the Tujia people cultivate tea according to an ancient tradition, using techniques inherited from their ancestors. The leaves, hand-picked at dawn, are then rolled and dried in cast-iron woks. This slow and meticulous hand-roasting process gives Gu Zhang Mao Jian its fine texture, emerald hues, and vegetal aroma with hints of fresh chestnut and mountain flowers.
Far from trade routes, this tea remained a closely guarded secret for a long time. Tujia families produced it for their own consumption and offered it to visitors as a symbol of hospitality and respect. In the villages, it is still said that no meal, no gathering, begins without a steaming cup of this light tea, whose sweetness soothes and unites minds.
Its discovery by the West was almost accidental: at an international exhibition in 1929, European tasters were astonished by its clarity and length on the palate. Since then, Gu Zhang Mao Jian has been regularly awarded for its finesse and balance, but it remains a discreet gem, produced in small quantities in a still pristine mountain environment.
This tea also tells a story of a way of life. In Hunan, it's drunk throughout the day: in the morning for a gentle awakening, in the afternoon to regain focus, and in the evening to prolong conversation. Its infusion invites serenity. Locals say it reflects the light of the mountains, as if each leaf had captured a fragment of mist.
At Betjeman & Barton, this tea is considered a hidden gem, a terroir treasure that the House loves to share with its discerning connoisseurs. More exclusive than a Lung Jing, more complex than a Sencha, Gu Zhang Mao Jian captivates with its authenticity: a tea without artifice, with a rustic elegance, where each sip tells the story of the mountain, the dew, and the hand of the picker.
Its growing success in Parisian tea rooms is easily explained: it embodies what the House cherishes, the alliance of refinement and authenticity. Enjoyed on its own or with fresh fruit, it unfolds a springtime freshness and a vegetal depth reminiscent of the unspoiled nature of the Wuling.
