Guzhu Zisun Supreme Green Tea

Guzhu Zisun – Purple Bamboo Shoot Green Tea (顾渚紫笋)

Ancient Tribute Tea from the Misty Hills of Zhejiang, China

A legacy of emperors, reborn in every spring leaf.

Guzhu Zisun (顾渚紫笋), or “Purple Bamboo Shoot,” is one of the oldest and most revered green teas in China, with a history tracing back to the Tang Dynasty. Once offered as an imperial tribute tea, it was praised in classical texts for its elegance, purity, and connection to the Dao of tea.

Grown in the fog-veiled hills of Guzhu Mountain in Zhejiang, this tea is harvested early in spring when the leaves are still young and pointed—resembling tiny bamboo shoots tinged with purple. The infusion is smooth, subtly sweet, and gently vegetal, with a spirit that is quiet, refined, and enduring.

If you'd like to know what drinking this tea is like, you can read this: Guzhu Zisun: The Purple Bamboo Shoot Tea of Imperial Legacy

Why You’ll Love Guzhu Zisun

• Ancient Chinese tea with over 1,200 years of history
• Named for its purple-tipped bamboo shoot-shaped buds
• Clean, slightly sweet taste with a soft orchid aroma
• Grown in high-elevation misty tea gardens of Zhejiang
• A true heritage tea for lovers of tradition and clarity

Tasting Notes

• Aroma of orchid, wild greens, and soft forest mist
• Sweet and light umami flavor with a smooth body
• Elegant vegetal clarity with no bitterness
• Lingering floral–mineral aftertaste with a serene finish

Tea Profile

• Type: Chinese Green Tea
• Cultivar: Local Guzhu heirloom variety
• Origin: Guzhu Mountain, Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, China
• Elevation: 500–800 meters
• Harvest: Early spring (pre-Qingming)
• Craftsmanship: Tender bud-leaf picking, gentle pan-firing, shaping by hand
• Appearance: Slender, slightly curved buds with purple-green hues; pale jade infusion
• Collected: 2025

Processing

The craft of Guzhu Zisun reflects Tang-era precision and reverence:

1. Plucking – One bud with one tender leaf, selected by hand
2. Withering – Light withering to soften and sweeten
3. Fixation (Shaqing) – Hand-panned to halt oxidation
4. Shaping – Carefully rolled and curved to resemble a bamboo shoot
5. Drying – Slow low-heat drying preserves aroma and color

This meticulous process preserves the tea’s gentle flavor and ancient energy.

Health Benefits

A gentle tea known for calm energy and digestive clarity:

• Rich in chlorophyll, amino acids, and antioxidants
• Promotes focus, light energy, and a clear mind
• Cooling and hydrating—ideal for spring and early summer
• Supports liver health, digestion, and skin clarity

Brewing Instructions

Gongfu Method (5 oz / 150 ml)

• Tea amount: 4–5 grams
• Water temperature: 75–80°C / 167–176°F
• Rinse: Usually not needed
• Infusions:
• 1st: 30 sec
• 2nd: 40 sec
• 3rd+: Increase slightly with each infusion
• Tip: Use a tall glass or white porcelain cup to enjoy the unfolding shape and color

Cup Method (8.8 oz / 250 ml)

• Tea amount: Adjust based on personal preference for tea strength.
• Water temperature: 75–80°C / 167–176°F
• Steep time: 2–3 minutes
• Re-steep: 2–3 times
• Note: Watch the slender leaves slowly rise and descend—a visual meditation

Cultural Significance

Guzhu Zisun was once the official tea of the Tang imperial court, praised in Lu Yu’s Classic of Tea (茶经) and regarded as one of the earliest and most distinguished tribute teas in China.

Its name, “Purple Bamboo Shoot,” comes from the tea’s early-spring shape and occasional purplish hue, signifying nobility, renewal, and refined taste.

To drink Guzhu Zisun is to connect with the essence of classical Chinese tea culture—a quiet elegance that echoes through centuries.