In brief: Mao Feng Hua Hai organic green tea, a Chinese grand cru with downy tips. Pale yellow liquor, honey and fresh lime notes. Brewing: 70-80°C, 12-15 g/L, 1 to 3 minutes.
The Mao Feng Hua Hai green tea is among the most delicate leaves our house has ever brought together. This exceptional Chinese tea owes its name to its fine, downy tips, which call to mind tiny green feathers about to drift above the teapot.
Hand-picked as whole leaves in keeping with Chinese tradition, this rare tea belongs to the family of rare teas and grand crus that Julien Huot selects for their singularity. Each harvest tells the story of a specific terroir, a skilled hand, and a craft passed down through generations.
Grown organically, this tea appeals to seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, those looking to discover an authentic Mao Feng. Its luminous liquor and subtle fragrance make it a wonderful companion throughout the day, from breakfast to midday breaks.
The aromatic profile of Mao Feng Hua Hai
Even before brewing, the leaves reveal a fresh, lightly floral vegetal scent, already hinting at a promise of gentleness. The white tips, rich with young buds, are a testament to the quality of the harvest.
Once the water is poured, the cup takes on a pale yellow hue, almost golden in the light. The nose opens on notes of acacia honey, lifted by a bright freshness of lime that brings an unexpected dimension to this Chinese tea.
On the palate, the first impression is round and velvety. Honey carries through to the mid-palate, accompanied by a soft vegetal sweetness reminiscent of young almond leaves. The finish is long and silky, leaving an impression of citrus freshness and mineral purity.
What sets this tea apart is its balance: neither too grassy nor too sweet. It sidesteps the rusticity of more ordinary green teas to offer a more refined reading of Chinese terroir. Fans of Sencha or Matcha will find a different experience here, more airy, where delicacy takes precedence over intensity.
To continue exploring exceptional green teas, you may also enjoy our White Monkey 1st Grade Deluxe green tea, another Chinese tea picked from young buds. Browse our grand crus to build your own collection of rare leaves.
How to brew Mao Feng Hua Hai green tea
Getting the most from a Chinese grand cru comes down to four key parameters: water quality, dosage, temperature and steeping time. Here are our recommendations for bringing out the full potential of this exceptional tea.
Water: choose a low-mineral, lightly chlorinated water, ideally filtered. Hard water smothers the honey notes and masks the characteristic lime freshness of this tea. Purists use a soft spring water whose mineral profile respects the fineness of the leaves.
Dosage: use 12 to 15 grams of leaves per litre of water, roughly a heaped tablespoon for an individual 300 ml teapot. Whole leaves expand considerably once brewed: make sure your teapot or gaiwan gives them enough room to unfurl freely.
Temperature: never exceed 80°C. Water that is too hot will scorch the young buds and release an unpleasant astringency. Aim for 70 to 75°C to preserve the roundness of the honey and the vegetal freshness. If you don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, bring the water to a boil then let it rest for three to four minutes before pouring.
Steeping time: start with one minute for the first infusion, then adjust to taste up to a maximum of three minutes. This tea lends itself to several successive infusions, in the spirit of Chinese gong fu cha: extend each steep slightly to explore how the leaves evolve aromatically.
For quieter evenings or spring afternoons, a cold brew (15 g/L, 4 hours in the refrigerator) reveals a refreshing, almost crystalline profile where lime comes to the fore over honey. Try our Mao Feng as a cold brew for a singular summer experience.
Among exceptional green teas, you will also appreciate our Lung Ching Superior green tea, another Chinese gem with flat leaves and a toasted hazelnut profile that pairs beautifully with a comparative tasting.
Storage
Store your Mao Feng Hua Hai in an airtight, opaque container, away from light, moisture and strong odours. A stable ambient temperature of around 18 to 20°C will preserve the freshness of the aromas for twelve to eighteen months after opening.
Avoid the refrigerator, which creates humidity fluctuations that can damage delicate leaves. A simple metal tin kept in a dry cupboard is more than enough to protect this tea between tastings.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mao Feng green tea?
Mao Feng literally means "hairy tips" in Mandarin, a reference to the fine, downy shoots that make up the harvest. It is a high-quality Chinese green tea, picked in spring as whole leaves. The Hua Hai expression offers a particularly refined honey-and-lime character.
How do you brew Mao Feng green tea?
Steep 12 to 15 g of leaves per litre of low-mineral water heated to between 70 and 80°C, for 1 to 3 minutes. Start short, adjust to your taste, and don't hesitate to re-steep the leaves two or three times to explore all their aromatic nuances.
Where does Mao Feng green tea come from?
Mao Feng is a traditional Chinese green tea grown across several tea-producing regions. Our Hua Hai comes from Chinese gardens cultivated organically, where hand-picking of young buds ensures the characteristic fineness of this grand cru.
Where can I buy high-quality organic Mao Feng green tea?
Our house selects this Mao Feng Hua Hai from among our grand crus and rare teas. Julien Huot favours direct sourcing from producers committed to organic farming, a guarantee of freshness and authenticity with every harvest we offer.
Which other teas are worth exploring alongside?
To broaden your palette, our Assam SFTGFOP 1 Tonganagaon black tea offers a striking contrast with its malty notes. And the Hojicha, Genmaicha and Gyokuro guide opens the door to other green tea worlds waiting to be discovered.
