Handmade Hainan Zhe Gu Cha Partridge Tea

Zhe Gu Cha, also known as Partridge Tea, comes from wild tea trees with leaves measuring approximately 5-15 cm in length. These leaves have sharp tips, wavy edges, a thick texture, and distinct veins. According to legend, the origin of Partridge Tea dates back to ancient times when a hunter observed a partridge pecking at certain leaves in the mountains. Out of curiosity, he picked and tasted them, discovering their fragrant, sweet flavor and refreshing, thirst-quenching properties. Since then, these leaves have been known as partridge tea and have been passed down through generations.

Hainan Zhe Gu Tea Handmade Tea Ball is a distinctive green tea variety made from Hainan’s unique quail tea trees using traditional handcrafting techniques. These tea balls are small, compact, and spherical, making them convenient for storage while allowing them to gradually unfurl during brewing, releasing their rich aroma. This tea preserves the freshness of tea while featuring the characteristic bean fragrance and sweet aftertaste. The tea infusion is a translucent yellow-green, offering a smooth and delicate taste.

The production of Zhe Gu tea reflects the diligence and craftsmanship of the Hainan people. Grown in the wild mountainous regions, the tea is difficult to harvest. Through traditional methods of picking and processing, Hainan locals transform Zhe Gu tea into a premium product, preserving and passing down the region’s tea culture. Its unique shape and rich taste make it a highly sought-after tea in Hainan.

The creation of handmade tea balls is highly meticulous. After careful selection, the tea leaves undergo withering and rolling before being hand-rubbed into tightly packed spheres, ensuring a high resistance to multiple brews. During steeping, a small tea ball slowly unfolds in hot water, releasing a deep and lingering tea fragrance, providing both a visual and sensory delight. The brewed tea presents a clear, light-yellow liquor with a rich and inviting aroma, carrying hints of fresh herbs and floral notes that evoke relaxation and tranquility.

Zhe Gu tea offers a complex and layered taste experience. Initially, it may have a slight bitterness, but this quickly gives way to a gentle, spreading sweetness, creating a harmonious balance that lingers on the palate. This interplay of flavors leaves a lasting impression, making each sip enjoyable and memorable.

Beyond its exquisite taste and elegant appearance, Zhe Gu tea is rich in tea polyphenols, amino acids, and other beneficial compounds. Regular consumption is believed to provide several health benefits, including:

Refreshing and energizing – Helps enhance focus and mental clarity.
Cooling and detoxifying – Aids in clearing heat from the body and promoting detoxification.
Digestive support – Assists with digestion and bile secretion.
Blood pressure and cholesterol regulation – This may contribute to lowering blood pressure and blood lipid levels.

Each tea ball weighs about 3 grams.

Brewing Guide: Place one ball in the teacup. The rope on the partridge tea is a local straw rope from Hainan. When brewing tea, you can brew it directly together or untie it before brewing. To fully enjoy the delicate flavors of this tea, it is recommended to use hot water at 85°C-90°C. The initial steeping should be brief, with subsequent brews adjusted according to taste preferences. Each tea ball can be steeped multiple times, allowing for a prolonged and enjoyable tea-drinking experience.