First-Pick Duyun Maojian Green Tea

Duyun Maojian — First Harvest (头采) Green Tea

There are teas you can source… and there are teas you have to be there for.

On March 21st, 2026—the very first day of harvest—Leo was in Duyun, Guizhou, spending the entire day at the origin, selecting this year’s earliest pick of Maojian. In Chinese, this is called 头采 (tóu cǎi), or first harvest. For serious tea drinkers, this is the most sought-after moment of the season. These leaves are limited, highly prized, and rarely leave the local area unless you’re physically there.

Duyun Maojian comes from Guizhou, a region that remains underrated compared to more famous areas like Zhejiang. But that’s exactly what makes it special. Many tea gardens here are naturally low-intervention, often close to organic by environment. The climate is cool, misty, and ideal for slow-growing leaves. And because the cost of living is lower, you can access extremely high-quality green tea at a much more reasonable price compared to well-known teas like Dragon Well.

This batch is true first-pick Maojian—tender buds and the earliest leaves of the season. After a full winter of rest, these leaves are packed with concentration and character.

The texture is what stands out immediately. It has a thick, almost silky mouthfeel with a rounded body that feels substantial rather than light. The profile is clean and fresh, with notes of sweet peas with hints of melon, finishing very refreshing with a soft, lingering finish.

What makes this tea especially enjoyable is how forgiving it is. Unlike many green teas that turn bitter easily, this one stays smooth and balanced even if your brewing isn’t perfect. It’s a tea you can relax with, not one you have to be overly careful with.

Brewing Guide
Use about 3g of tea in a 90ml gaiwan with water around 195°F. No rinse. Steep for about 30 seconds for the first infusion, then adjust to taste.

If using a tall 16oz glass, use about 2g of tea with water around 195°F. Let it steep until the leaves begin to open, usually around 2 minutes, then sip directly.

This is not just another Maojian. It’s first harvest, selected in person, on the exact day the season began.

Teas like this don’t wait—and once they’re gone, they’re gone until next year.