Shucheng Xiaolanhua is a green tea with an orchid-like aroma, a specialty of Shucheng, Anhui.

Shucheng Xiaolanhua is a traditional green tea produced in Shucheng County, Anhui Province, and it is also a well-known mountain tea of the western Anhui region. It has a long history of creation, and legend has it that it was already famous far and wide by the Qing Dynasty. The origin of its name is quite vivid: some say the dry tea buds and leaves are joined together, resembling an orchid just beginning to bloom, while others say that after brewing it carries a delicate orchid fragrance; since it has both the shape and the scent, it got its name. Among the people, many moving legends about its origin also circulate.

Shucheng is located at the eastern foot of the Dabie Mountains, and the tea gardens are mostly distributed on the high mountain gentle slopes of mountainous townships such as Xiaotian and Shanqi. Here the trees are lush, there is plenty of cloud and mist, the temperature difference between day and night is obvious, and the soil is loose and fertile, providing good ecological conditions for the growth of the tea plant and laying the foundation for the quality of the tea.

In terms of picking and processing, Shucheng Xiaolanhua mostly uses the tender shoots of one bud and one leaf just opening as the raw material, and is made through processes such as spreading, fixation, shaping and drying. The finished tea buds and leaves unfold naturally, resembling an orchid, with a jade-green color; after brewing, the liquor is tender green and bright, the orchid fragrance is elegant and lasting, the taste is fresh and mellow with a sweet aftertaste, and the brewed leaves are tender green and uniform.

For daily brewing, it is best to use a glass cup or a white porcelain lidded bowl, with a water temperature of about 80 degrees Celsius. Pour the water slowly along the wall of the cup, which can both protect the tender buds and allow you to admire the tea leaves unfolding in the cup. Shucheng Xiaolanhua has a refreshing aroma and is relatively resistant to multiple infusions, making it suitable for daily drinking, and it is also often used as a souvenir gift for relatives and friends. When purchasing, those with intact buds and leaves, clean dry tea and pure aroma are the best.