History and Origin of Chinese Green Tea

There may be no other country in the world with as many styles, varieties, and traditions of green tea as China. As the birthplace of tea, China produces thousands of distinct Chinese green teas, many of which originate from famous tea-growing regions such as Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Yunnan, Jiangsu, and Henan. While Chinese green tea offers the same calming effects and health benefits found in green teas from Japan or Korea, it also provides something more profound: diversity of flavor, aroma, terroir, and cultural heritage.

Chinese green tea is not a single experience. Each tea reflects its region, climate, elevation, processing method, and centuries-old tradition. This is why authentic loose-leaf Chinese green tea cannot be compared to mass-produced green tea bags found in cardboard boxes. From rare, hand-crafted spring harvests to everyday classics, Chinese green teas possess identities entirely their own.

At Bon Tea, we offer a curated selection of premium Chinese green teas, including two of the most celebrated varieties: Dragon Well (Longjing) green tea and Jasmine green tea—both renowned for their flavor, aroma, and health-enhancing properties.

Dragon Well (Longjing) Green Tea

Dragon Well tea, known in Chinese as Longjing (龙井), is one of the most famous and prestigious Chinese green teas ever produced. Revered for centuries, Longjing was once reserved as an imperial tribute tea during the Qing Dynasty, enjoyed by emperors during the hot summer months before switching to fermented teas such as pu’erh in winter.

Traditionally originating near Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Longjing green tea is now produced in several regions across China, each imparting subtle differences in flavor and aroma. Authentic Dragon Well tea is harvested in early spring, with the finest grades plucked before the Qingming Festival.

The leaves are hand-withered on bamboo trays and pan-fired in woks, where tea masters skillfully press and flatten them into Longjing’s iconic spear-shaped leaves. Within Dragon Well tea, two main styles exist:

• A greener style, offering fresh, nutty, and vegetal notes

• A more yellow style, with roasted, toasty, and mellow characteristics

Dragon Well tea produces a yellow-gold liquor, often described as warm and sunlit, with flavors ranging from chestnut and bean to gentle spice. Like all high-quality Chinese green teas, Longjing is rich in antioxidants, supports immune health, and promotes calm mental clarity.

Jasmine Green Tea

Jasmine green tea is one of China’s most beloved scented green teas, with origins tracing back to the Tang Dynasty. Early scented teas were created by pressing tea with aromatic herbs, but during the Song Dynasty, tea culture briefly shifted toward unscented purity before jasmine and osmanthus teas regained popularity.

Jasmine blossoms were introduced to China from Central Asia during the Jin Dynasty and were initially used for medicinal purposes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), jasmine is considered energetically balanced—neither warming nor cooling—and is believed to help harmonize the body’s qi (chi), relax muscles, and soothe dry skin.

Modern jasmine green tea production centers include Fujian, Guangxi, Sichuan, and surrounding provinces. To scent jasmine tea, finished green tea leaves are layered with fresh jasmine blossoms for two to three weeks, allowing the leaves to naturally absorb the floral aroma. Blossoms are replaced repeatedly before being removed prior to packaging.

Jasmine green tea is prized for its sweet floral aroma, amber-gold liquor, and smooth yet bold flavor, while also offering wellness benefits such as relaxation, circulation support, and gentle digestive aid.

The Ancient History of Chinese Green Tea

The history of Chinese green tea spans more than 5,000 years, making it the oldest form of tea consumed by humanity. Green tea predates both black tea and oolong tea by thousands of years and remains the most revered tea type in China today.

Green tea is produced from the youngest tea buds and tender leaves, often harvested only in spring. Unlike black, oolong, or pu’erh teas, green tea is not oxidized, preserving its fresh flavor and high antioxidant content. Historically, it was believed that spring could not officially begin until the Emperor had tasted the year’s finest green tea.

Before the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), green tea was compressed into cakes. During the Ming period, loose-leaf tea culture emerged, forever changing how tea was brewed and enjoyed—a tradition that continues today across East Asia.

In China, Korea, and Japan, green tea is often given as a gift symbolizing health, longevity, and respect.

Health Benefits of Chinese Green Tea

Chinese green tea is among the most scientifically studied teas in the world. Research has linked green tea consumption to reduced risks of heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, and certain cancers.

One key compound found in green tea is EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), a powerful antioxidant shown to support cellular health and inhibit cancer cell development. Teas made from unopened buds and early spring leaves contain especially high levels of EGCG.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, green tea is classified as a cooling beverage, believed to reduce excess internal heat, making it particularly beneficial during warmer seasons or for inflammatory conditions. Higher-quality green tea is thought to deliver stronger health benefits due to its purity and nutrient density.

Other Famous Chinese Green Tea Varieties

China produces more green tea than any other country in the world. In 2014 alone, China produced over 1.42 million tons of tea, the majority of which was green tea. Some of the most notable Chinese green tea varieties include:

• Biluochun – From Jiangsu Province, named for its snail-shaped curled leaves

• Chun Mee – Known for its plum-like flavor, popular outside China

• Gunpowder Tea – Pellet-rolled leaves with a bold, smoky taste

• Huangshan Maofeng – Grown in Anhui’s Huangshan Mountains, harvested as two leaves and a bud

• Longjing (Dragon Well) – China’s most famous pan-fired green tea

• Lu’an Melon Seed – From Anhui, grassier and stem-free

• Taiping Houkui – Large flat leaves forming the “two knives and a pole” shape

• Xinyang Maojian – From Henan Province, plucked as one bud and one leaf

The Enduring Legacy of Chinese Green Tea

From ancient emperors to modern tea lovers, Chinese green tea remains the foundation of global tea culture. Its unmatched variety, history, health benefits, and craftsmanship continue to set the global standard for what green tea can be.

If you seek tea that embodies tradition, terroir, and wellness, Chinese green tea offers an experience unlike any other.