Handmade High Mountain Biluochun Green Tea (Updated Nov 2026)

November 2026: Our second upgrade this year

We already upgraded our High Mountain Bi Luo Chun once in 2026. Then we found an even better tea and decided it was worth changing our source again. This latest selection comes from Duyun, Guizhou Province, China, at approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level.

What makes this tea especially unusual is the material itself. The leaves come from wild-growing tea trees approximately 90 years old, and no pesticides are used in their growing environment. Mature, wild-growing trees of this age are an uncommon source for a delicate green tea made in the Bi Luo Chun style.

We chose to move our sourcing to Duyun because we felt this tea was a noticeable improvement over our earlier selection. Finding better teas is an ongoing part of what we do, even if it means upgrading the same tea twice in one year.

About Bi Luo Chun and the difficulty of making it entirely by hand

100% handmade Bi Luo Chun is demanding work. The tender leaves must be handled carefully as they are heated, shaped, and rolled into their tiny, tightly curled spirals. The maker has to control heat, pressure, and timing by feel, working with small batches and adjusting constantly as the leaves lose moisture. Too much pressure can damage the delicate shoots; too little attention leaves uneven, loosely formed spirals. Achieving a consistent shape without machine assistance takes considerable skill and patience.

That craftsmanship is an important part of why we chose this tea. Along with the rare, older wild-growing tea trees, the fully handmade processing makes this Duyun selection especially difficult to find.

Bi Luo Chun, often translated as “Green Snail Spring,” is named for the small spiral shape of its carefully rolled leaves. The delicate leaves and fine, silvery tips are part of what makes this style of Chinese green tea so recognizable.

For this selection, the combination of high elevation, wild-growing material, and approximately 90-year-old tea trees sets it apart from the more commonly cultivated green teas. This is the Duyun tea we chose to replace our previous batch.

Recommended brewing temperature:

Gongfu method: 5g, 190 Fahrenheit (88 Celcius) for 3-5 seconds. 

Western method: 190 Fahrenheit (88 Celcius) for 2 minutes. 

Alternate Name: Xia Sha Ren Xiang or Green Snail Spring 

Origin: Duyun, Guizhou Province, China

Elevation: Approximately 1,400 meters

Tea tree age: Approximately 90 years

Growing conditions: Wild-growing; no pesticides used