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Lu Shan Yun Wu Tea - also known as Mount Lu Cloud and Mist Tea (simplified Chinese: 庐山云雾茶; traditional Chinese:廬山雲霧茶) is a type of green tea originated from the misty mountain of Mount Lu in Jiujiang, situated in the Jiangxi Province of China. It is one of the most renowned Chinese green tea and carries with it a long and rich history.

History
The origin of Lu Shan Yun Wu can be traced as far back as the Han Dynasty. According to Records of Lu Shan, during the Eastern Han period, this mountain was the site of a number of buddhist temples. The many Sangha resided there at that time would climb atop and in between steep cliff to collect the best wild tea. They might have also planted tea trees in small numbers.

The following centuries saw Lu Shan Yun Wu's steadied rise in quality and fame throughout China. By early Song Dynasty, it has been well established as an imperial tribute tea for the royal court. Its popularity reached pinnacle during Ming and Qing Dynasty when many poets and writers gave high praises to the exquisite taste of this tea and the lush landscape surrounding the tea gardens.

In 1934, botanist Chen Feng Huai (陈封怀, 1900-1993) established China's first botanical garden in Lu Shan. He also introduced modern version of Yun Wu to the region.

Climate
Facing Yangtze River to the north and Poyang Lake to the east, the abundance of moisture provided ideal growing environment for tea. Mount Lu is surrounded by cloud and mist more than 180 days in a year. The ever-present water droplets diffuse sunlight, providing scattered light waves that can enhance a plant's photosynthesis ability.

Tea tree grown under this environment can produce and retain the maximum amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants.

Rich soil content and its acidity also contributes to Lu Shan Yun Wu's superior quality.

Appearance and Characteristic
Lu Shan Yun Wu is harvested annually between late March to early May. Freshly dried tea leaf ranges from sage to light olive in color. In 1971, the Lu Shan Forestry Administration determined that the authentic appearance of yun wu tea should resemble pine needles. However, other shapes can be seen much more frequently today.

High altitude (1000 feet above sea level) first flush supreme grade yun wu is characterized by an elegant and focused floral fragrance reminiscent of orchid and sweet pea flower, and has a lingering undertone of Chinese chestnut. Properly made, the infusion is well structured, smooth, and has a distinctively sweet and lasting finish. It also has a fuller body comparing to Dragonwell tea. For a green tea, it has low astringency, and is almost never bitter even with prolonged steeping. The tender leaf bud (equivalent to orange pekoe in black tea) produces clean, pale green liquor.