Sparrow's Tongue Green Tea

Sparrow’s Tongue (雀舌, Que She) is a high-grade green tea named after its distinctive shape—small, flat, and pointed leaves that resemble a sparrow’s tongue. But this shape isn’t just for looks.

It comes from very early harvest material, typically one bud with a tiny leaf, and in Chinese tea standards, “雀舌” is used to describe top-tier tenderness, early picking, and a fine, uniform appearance.

This tea is grown on Mengding Mountain in Ya’an, one of China’s most historically important tea regions, with over 2,000 years of tea history. The area is known for producing both Mengding Huangya (yellow tea) and Mengding Ganlu (green tea), and has long been associated with tribute teas (贡茶)—some of the earliest high-quality teas recorded in China.

Because of the strict picking standard, this tea is extremely labor-intensive, with each small batch requiring thousands of carefully hand-picked buds, making it both limited and refined.

In the cup, the tea opens with a warm, savory aroma of toasted peas and buttered zucchini. The flavor has the same soft, buttery vegetal note, balanced by a silky, smooth texture that’s clean and refined without being heavy. There’s a gentle cashew-like nuttiness, finishing with a subtle sweet honeydew-like fruitiness that lingers lightly. This green tea is a great balance of savory vegetal nuttiness with a refreshing and soft sweetness. 

Brewing Recommendation – Gongfu Style
Tea: 2g
Water: 200°F (93°C)
Vessel: 90–100ml gaiwan or glass teapot

1st infusion: 20 seconds
2nd infusion: 10-12 seconds
Add 1-2 seconds for each following steep.

Be mindful not to over-steep to preserve its texure and delicate flavor.

Enjoy up to 7-8 infusions

Origin: Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China

Notes: Buttered Zuccini, Toasted Peas, Cashew, Honeydew