Early Harvest Mengding Ganlu Premium Green Tea

Mengding Ganlu Green Tea – First Harvest from Sichuan

This is one of those green teas that feels effortless from the very first sip.

Mengding Ganlu (蒙顶甘露) is recognized as one of the Top Ten Chinese Teas, and for good reason. Grown on the historic slopes of Mengding Mountain in Sichuan, this tea represents one of the earliest and most refined green tea traditions in China.

What makes this particular batch special starts with timing.

It’s picked during the very first harvest (头采)—when the leaves are at their most tender and full of life. That early picking shows immediately in the cup.

Grown at elevations above 1,000 meters, this is a true high-mountain tea, where cooler temperatures and slower growth help develop deeper clarity and complexity in the leaves. Each batch is carefully handcrafted using a traditional process of three rounds of pan-firing and three rounds of rolling, refining both structure and aroma. To finish, the tea undergoes a gentle charcoal roasting—an often overlooked step even for green tea, but one that slowly enhances and lifts the tea’s aroma.

There’s also a clear distinction in the raw material. Lower-elevation plantation teas are more common and more affordable, but high-mountain leaves like these come at a premium. The environment, slower growth, and careful selection all contribute to a higher-grade starting material—and you can taste that difference in the cup.

The aroma opens with a sweet butternut squash warmth—soft, comforting, and inviting. On the palate, you’ll notice a refreshing, fleeting bitterness reminiscent of collard greens that rises briefly, then disappears almost instantly. What follows is a clean, lingering sweetness with light honeydew notes, leaving a smooth, refreshing finish without any heaviness.

The texture is what truly defines this tea.

Rather than pushing intensity, it leans into refinement and softness—a silky, composed mouthfeel that feels effortless, making it easy to keep reaching for the next cup.

Sichuan itself plays a huge role in why teas like this can reach such a high level.

It’s one of the major hubs for Chinese green tea, where farmers from across the country bring their teas to market. The demand here is massive—and with that comes intense competition. That environment naturally pushes quality higher and higher.

During this trip, Leo visited over 40 different producers and sources, tasting across regions and styles. Out of all of them, this Mengding Ganlu stood out as the one—the cleanest expression, the softest texture, and the most balanced overall experience.

Another reason this tea stands out?
It’s extremely forgiving to brew.

You don’t need to overthink it to get a great cup:

• 3g in a gaiwan (around 90ml)
• No rinse
• First infusion: 20 seconds
• Second infusion: 10 seconds
• Third infusion: 15 seconds

It opens up easily, releases flavor quickly, and stays consistent across multiple infusions without turning bitter.

This is a green tea that doesn’t try to impress with force—
it wins you over with clarity, softness, and quiet confidence.

Harvest Year: 2026