Tribute Teas and Famous Teas

At the top of the list of sought-after teas are China's "famous teas." These teas are the former Imperial Tribute Teas. Because these teas were of such remarkable and ethereal quality, they were claimed as the exclusive provenance of the Emperors of China's last four dynasties: Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing. Each Emperor had his favorite, and delivery of the tea was recorded as a tax payment owed to the throne. Tribute tea that did not suit the Emperor's taste would be given to court officials who could drink the tea for their own enjoyment or secretly sell it at a premium price.

When the days of Imperial China ended in 1912, the Imperial Tribute Teas became available for mere mortals to enjoy. Each of these teas is distinctive and unique and justifiably the pride and joy of the regions that produce them. Famous teas are instantly recognizable by their characteristic leaf shape, appearance and flavor. They are named after the mountains from which they come (Huang San, Lu Shan or Tanmu Shan) and are give poetic descriptive names such as Da Hong Pao, Lu'an Cuapian or Tianmu Clouds and Mist. There are 19 "famous teas."

Excerpted from "The Story of Tea" by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss.