There's a bit confusion these days with regards to the names of Chinese teas. Some teas are listed on websites based on direct English translations, while others are written based on 'pinyin' (Chinese written in Western letters). The latter becomes even more confusing when different romanisation systems are used for different teas such as Cantonese and Mandarin.
Take for example Tie Guan Yin, which is a type of oolong from Fujian province. It's known by it's English tea names such as 'Iron Buddha' or 'Iron Goddess' while at the same time known in different variations of romanisation such as 'Ti Kuan Yin', 'Tit Kwun Yum', and 'Ti Kwan Yin'.
Because of this issue, we've decided to compile a complete list of teas from China, categorised per tea type. As you can see below the list is long, which isn't surprising due to the long tea history of China. If you see any teas missing, let us know. We're more than happy to add it and further improve this tea names list.
Tea Type Names List
Click on one of the tea type links below to go directly to the list that you're interested in.
Green Tea - Black Tea - Oolong Tea - White Tea - Yellow Tea - Pu Erh Tea - Herbal Tea
Green Tea Name List
Among all the tea types, the list of Chinese green teas is definitely the longest. The most famous green teas come from the province Zhejiang and Anhui. The main stars in this category are the Xi Hu Long Jing, Bi Luo Chun and Huang Shan Mao Feng, which you see often appear in top 10 Chinese tea lists. We've also added the related English tea names, when available.
Official Name | Alternative Spelling | Western Name | Pronunciation (Pinyin) | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xi Hu Long Jing | Lung Jeng (Cantonese)
|
West Lake Dragon Well | Xīhú lóngjǐng | 西湖龙井 | 西湖龍井 |
Hui Ming Cha | Purple Shoots, Hui Ming Spring | huì míng chá | 惠明茶 | 惠明茶 | |
Bi Luo Chun | Pi Lo Chun | Green Snail Spring | bìluóchūn | 碧螺春 | 碧螺春 |
Gu Zhu Zi Sun | Purple Bamboo Shoot | gù zhǔ zǐ sǔn | 顾渚紫笋 | 顧渚紫筍 | |
Huang Shan Mao Feng | Yellow Furry Peak | huángshān máo fēng | 黄山毛峰 | 黃山毛峰 | |
Xin Yang Mao Jian | Xin Yang Downy peak | xìnyáng máojiān | 信阳毛尖 | 信陽毛尖 | |
Ping Shui Zhu Cha | Zhu Cha | Gunpowder | píngshuǐ zhū chá | 平水珠茶 | 平水珠茶 |
Jing Shan Cha | Jing Mountain Tea | jīng shānchá | 京山茶 | 京山茶 | |
Nan'an Shi Ting Lu | Stone Pavillion Green | nán'ān shí tíng lǜ | 南安石亭绿 | 南安石亭綠 | |
Zhu Ye Qing | Bamboo Leaf Green, Green Bamboo Tip | zhúyèqīng | 竹叶青 | 竹葉青 | |
Yong Xi Huo Qing | Yong Xi Green Fire, Yong Xi Jade Fire | yǒng xī huǒ qīng | 涌溪火青 | 湧溪火青 | |
Xiu Ning Song Luo | Loose Radish | xiū níng sōng luó | 休宁松萝 | 休寧松蘿 | |
Wang Hai Cha | Sea of Hope | wànghǎi chá | 望海茶 | 望海茶 | |
En Shi Yu Lu | En Shi Gyokuro, En Shi Green Dew, En Shi Jade Dew | ēnshī yùlù | 恩施玉露 | 恩施玉露 | |
Du Yun Mao Jian | Duyun Tippy | dū yún máojiān | 都匀毛尖 | 都勻毛尖 | |
Gui Ping Xi Shan Cha | Gui Ping West Mountain tea | guìpíng xīshān chá | 桂平西山茶 | 桂平西山茶 | |
Lao Zhu Da Fang | Ding Gu Da Fang, Zhu Pu Da Fang | Old Bamboo Generous | lǎo zhú dàfāng | 老竹大方 | 老竹大方 |
An Ji Bai Cha | Anji White | ānjí báichá | 安吉白茶 | 安吉白茶 | |
Nan Jing Yu Hua Cha | Rain Flower tea | nánjīng yǔ huāchá | 南京雨花茶 | 南京雨花茶 | |
Tai Ping Hou Kui | Monkey King | tàipíng hóu kuí | 太平猴魁 | 太平猴魁 | |
Kai Hua Long Ding | Kai Hua Dragon's Pick | kāihuà lóng dǐng | 开化龙顶 | 開化龍頂 | |
Lu Shan Yun Wu | Lushan Misty Clouds | lúshān yúnwù | 庐山云雾 | 廬山雲霧 | |
An Hua Song Zhen | Song Zhen Needle green tea | ān huà sōngzhēn | 安化松针 | 安化松針 | |
Jiang Shan Lu Mu Dan | Green Peony | jiāngshān lǜ mǔdān | 江山绿牡丹 | 江山綠牡丹 | |
Lu An Gua Pian | Liu An Gua Pian | Melon Seed | liù ān guāpiàn | 六安瓜片 | 六安瓜片 |
Gao Qiao Yin Feng | Silver Peak | gāo qiáo yín fēng | 高桥银峰 | 高橋銀峰 | |
Shu Cheng Lan Hua | Shu Cheng Orchid | shū chéng lánhuā | 舒城兰花 | 舒城蘭花 | |
Wu Xi Hao Cha | Wu Xi Downy tea | wúxī háo chá | 无锡毫茶 | 無錫毫茶 | |
Tian Mu Qing Ding | Heaven's Eye Green Peak | tiānmù qīng dǐng | 天目青顶 | 天目青頂 | |
Gu Zhang Mao Jian | Gu Zhang Downy Tips | gǔ zhàng máojiān | 古丈毛尖 | 古丈毛尖 | |
Meng Ding Gan Lu | Meng Ding Sweet Dew | méng dǐng gānlù | 蒙顶甘露 | 蒙頂甘露 | |
Yong Chuan Xiu Ya | Yong Chuang Premium Bud | yǒngchuān xiù yá | 永川秀芽 | 永川秀芽 | |
Pan'an Yun Feng | Pan An Cloud Peak | pán ān yún fēng | 盘安云峰 | 盤安云峰 | |
Pu Tuo Fo Cha | Buddha tea | pǔ tuó fú chá | 普陀佛茶 | 普陀佛茶 | |
Song Yang Yin Hou | Silver Monkey | sōng yáng yín hóu | 松阳银猴 | 松陽銀猴 | |
Pu Bu Xian Ming | Immortal Waterfall Buds | pùbù xiān míng | 瀑布仙茗 | 瀑布仙茗 | |
Qian Dao Yu Ye | Thousand Islands Jade Leaf | qiāndǎo yù yè | 千岛玉叶 | 千島玉葉 | |
San Bei Xiang | 3 Cup Fragrance | sān bēi xiāng | 三杯香 | 三杯香 | |
Jing Ting Lu Xue | Green Snow | jìng tíng lǜ xuě | 敬亭绿雪 | 敬亭綠雪 | |
Xue Shui Yun Lu | Snow Water Clouds | xuě shuǐ yún lǜ | 雪水云绿 | 雪水雲綠 | |
Lin Hai Pan Hao | Curly Buds, Curly Tips | línhǎi pán háo | 临海蟠毫 | 臨海蟠毫 | |
Pu Jiang Chun Hao | Pu Jiang Spring Buds | pǔjiāng chūn háo | 浦江春毫 | 浦江春毫 | |
Yang Yan Gou Qing | Sheep Rock Green Hooks | yáng yán gōu qīng | 羊岩勾青 | 羊岩勾青 | |
Lu Jian Cha | Green Swords | lǜ jiàn chá | 绿剑茶 | 綠劍茶 | |
Zi Yang Mao Jian | Purple Sun Downy Tips | zǐyáng máojiān | 紫阳毛尖 | 紫陽毛尖 | |
Dian Qing | Yunnan Green tea | diān qīng | 滇青 | 滇青 | |
Wu Yang Chun Yu | Spring Rain | wǔ yángchūnyǔ | 武阳春雨 | 武陽春雨 | |
Wu Zi Xian Hao | Wu Zi Heavenly Buds | wǔ zi xiān háo | 午子仙毫 | 午子仙毫 | |
Lu Ming Wu Cha | Lu Ming Fog Tea | Lù míng wù chá | 鹿鸣雾茶 | 鹿鳴霧茶 | |
Dong Bai Chun Ya | Eastern White Spring Buds | dōng báichūnyá | 东白春芽 | 東白春芽 | |
Jian De Bao Ya | Jian De Bud tea | jiàn dé bāo chá | 建德苞茶 | 建德苞茶 | |
Mao Shan Chang Qing | Mao Shan Evergreen | máoshān cháng qīng | 茅山长青 | 茅山長青 | |
Xiao Bu Yan Cha | Xiao Bu Rock tea | xiǎo bù yán chá | 小布岩茶 | 小布岩茶 | |
Xian Yao Yun Wu | Heavenly Jade Misty Fog | xiān yáo yǐn wù | 仙瑶隐雾 | 仙瑤隱霧 | |
Feng Yang Chun | Phoenix Spring Sun | fèng yáng chūn | 凤阳春 | 鳳陽春 | |
Nu'er Huan | Nv'er Huan | Daughter's Ring | nǚ'ér huán | 女儿环 | 女兒環 |
Cheng Tian Xue Long | Snow Dragon | chéng tiān xuě lóng | 承天雪龙 | 承天雪龍 | |
Wu Zhou Ju Yan | Wu Zhou Rock Lift, Wu Zhou Rock tea | wù zhōu jǔ yán | 婺州举岩 | 婺州舉岩 | |
Yang Dang Mao Feng | Yang Dang Furry Peak | yàndàng máo fēng | 雁荡毛峰 | 雁蕩毛峰 | |
Wang Fu Yin Hao | Wang Fu Silver Needle | wàng fǔ yín háo | 望府银毫 | 望府銀毫 | |
Heng Wen Xi Xiu | Fine Beauty | héng wén xì xiù | 横纹细秀 | 橫紋細秀 | |
Fu Lai Chun | Floating Spring | fú láichūn | 浮来春 | 浮來春 | |
Wu Dong Cha | Misty Cave tea, Wu Dong tea | wù dòng chá | 雾洞茶 | 霧洞茶 | |
Da Fo Long Jing | Da Fo Lung Ching | Da Fu Dragon Well | dàfú lóngjǐng | 大佛龙井 | 大佛龍井 |
Mei Cha | Eyebrow green tea | méi chá | 眉茶 | 眉茶 | |
Xue Qing | Snow Spring tea | xuěqīng chá | 雪青茶 | 雪青茶 | |
Cai Hua Mao Jian | Flower Picking Downy Buds | cǎihuā máojiān | 采花毛尖 | 採花毛尖 |
Black Tea Name List
The black tea list is much shorter than the green tea list above. Not strange, given the relatively short history of this category. Chinese black teas are mainly produced in Fujian and Yunnan. The Keemun and Lapsang Souchong are the first black teas exported to foreign markets. Therefore, the related English tea names should sound familiar to regular tea drinkers.
Official Name | Alternative Spelling | Western Name | Pronunciation (Pinyin) | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Qi Hong | Qi Men Hong | Keemun | qí hóng | 祁红 | 祁紅 |
Minced Black Tea | CTC | hóng suì chá | 红碎茶 | 紅碎茶 | |
Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong | Lapsang Souchong | zhèng shān xiǎo zhǒng | 正山小种 | 正山小種 | |
Jin Jun Mei | Golden Monkey/Eye Brows | jīn jùn méi | 金骏眉 | 金駿眉 | |
Yi Hong | yí hóng | 宜红 | 宜紅 | ||
Ying Hong | Hero Black | yīng hóng | 英红 | 英紅 | |
Dian Hong (Yun Nan Black Tea) | Yunnan Gold | diān hóng | 滇红 | 滇紅 | |
Ning Hong | níng hóng | 宁红 | 寧紅 | ||
Jiu Qu Hong Mei | Nine Red Plum | jiǔ qū hóng méi | 九曲红梅 | 九曲紅梅 | |
Tan Yang Gong Fu | tǎn yáng gōngfū | 坦洋工夫 | 坦洋工夫 | ||
Bai Lin Gong Fu | bái lín gōngfū | 白琳工夫 | 白琳工夫 | ||
Mi Zhuan | Rice Brick | mǐ zhuān | 米砖 | 米磚 |
Oolong Tea Name List
Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea type with an oxidation level between that of green tea (minimally oxidised) and black tea (fully oxidised). Wuyishan and Anxi are the most popular regions where the famous Da Hong Pao and Tie Guan Yin are produced, respectively. As oolong isn't as popular as black and green tea, many of those don't have a English tea name. They're more known by there Chinese phonetic spelling.
Official Name | Alternative Spelling | Western Name | Pronunciation (Pinyin) | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mei Zhan | méi zhàn | 梅占 | 梅占 | ||
Feng Huang Dan Cong | Phoenix Dan Cong | fènghuáng dān cōng | 凤凰单枞 | 鳳凰單樅 | |
Fu Jian Shui Xian | fújiàn shuǐxiān | 福建水仙 | 福建水仙 | ||
Ling Tou Dan Cong | lǐng tóu dān cōng | 岭头单枞 | 嶺頭單樅 | ||
Da Hong Pao | Big Red Robe | dàhóng páo | 大红袍 | 大紅袍 | |
Tie Luo Han | Iron Man | tiě luóhàn | 铁罗汉 | 鐵羅漢 | |
Bai Ji Guan | bái jīguān | 白鸡冠 | 白雞冠 | ||
Shui Jing Gui | shuǐjīng guī | 水晶龟 | 水晶龜 | ||
Yong Chun Fo Shou | yǒngchūn fóshǒu | 永春佛手 | 永春佛手 | ||
Tong Tian Xiang | tōng tiānxiāng | 通天香 | 通天香 | ||
Huang Zhi Xiang | huángzhīxiāng | 黄枝香 | 黃枝香 | ||
Rou Gui | Cinnamon Bark | ròuguì | 肉桂 | 肉桂 | |
Tie Guan Yin | Iron Buddha | tiě guānyīn | 铁观音 | 鐵觀音 | |
Huang Jin Gui | huángjīn guì | 黄金桂 | 黃金桂 | ||
Dong Ding Wu Long | dòng dǐng wū lóng | 冻顶乌龙 | 凍頂烏龍 | ||
Wen Shan Bao Zhong | wénshān bāo zhǒng | 文山包种 | 文山包種 | ||
Bai Hao Wu Long | báiháo wū lóng | 白毫乌龙 | 白毫烏龍 | ||
Shui Xian Tea Cake | shuǐxiān chá bǐng | 谁先茶饼 | 誰先茶餅 | ||
Mao Xie | máoxiè | 毛蟹 | 毛蟹 | ||
Qi Lan | Miracle Orchid | qí lán | 奇兰 | 奇蘭 |
White Tea Name List
White tea is one of the latest new categories of teas and the least processed type to preserve all the natural nutritions in tea. White tea from Fujian can be divided into the four grades below, which are the first four in the list below. The last one (Moonlight White) is an outsider, because it's from Yunnan.
Official Name | Alternative Spelling | Western Name | Pronunciation (Pinyin) | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bai Mu Dan | White Peony,
White Monkey |
bái mǔdān | 白牡丹 | 白牡丹 | |
Bai Hao Yin Zhen | Silver Needle | báiháo yín zhēn | 白毫银针 | 白毫銀針 | |
Shou Mei | Longevity Eyebrow | shòu méi | 寿眉 | 壽眉 | |
Gong Mei | Tribute Eyebrow | gòng méi | 贡眉 | 貢眉 | |
Yue Guang Bai | Moonlight White | yuè guāng bái | 月光白 | 月光白 |
Yellow Tea Name List
Yellow teas follow a similar production procedure as green teas. However, there's an additional steaming step that result in slightly yellowish leaves, hence the name. This steaming step partially removes the bitter taste, resulting in a smoother flavor.
Official Name | Alternative Spelling | Western Name | Pronunciation (Pinyin) | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Meng Ding Huang Ya | Meng Peak Yellow Bud | méng dǐng huáng yá | 蒙顶黄芽 | 蒙頂黃芽 | |
Huo Shan Huang Ya | Hua Mountain Yellow Bud | huòshān huáng yá | 霍山黄芽 | 霍山黃芽 | |
Mo Gan Huangya | Mo Gan Yellow Bud | mò gàn huáng yá | 莫干黄芽 | 莫干黃芽 | |
Jun Shan Yin Zhen | Jun Shan Silver Needle | jūnshān yín zhēn | 君山银针 | 君山銀針 | |
Wei Shan Mao Jian | Wei Shan Downy Tips | wéi shān máojiān | 沩山毛尖 | 溈山毛尖 | |
Huo Shan Huang Da Cha | Huo Mountain Big Yellow tea | huòshān huángdàchá | 霍山黄大茶 | 霍山黃大茶 |
Dark / Pu Erh Tea Name List
In Chinese this category is called 'hei cha', which literally translates into 'black tea'. Because the term black tea is already used in the West, this category of teas are now officially referred to as 'dark tea'. Within this group, it's pu erh tea that's by far the most popular. Because of this, the 'pu erh tea' and 'dark tea' are often used interchangeably.
In the below list we're not aiming to list all the brands available. That would make this list endlessly long. Instead, we're focusing mainly on how the teas are presented.
Official Name | Alternative Spelling | Western Name | Pronounciation (Pinyin) | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Thaditional |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Pu'er Cha | Loose pu er tea | Loose pu erh tea | Sàn pǔ'ěr | 散普洱 | 散普洱 |
An Hua Hei Zhuan | An Hua Dark Brick | ān huà hēi zhuān | 安化黑砖 | 安化黑磚 | |
Qian Liang Cha | Thousand Once tea | qiān liǎng chá | 千两茶 | 千兩茶 | |
Bai Liang Cha | Hundred Once tea | bǎi liǎng chá | 百两茶 | 百兩茶 | |
Qi Zi Bing Cha | 357 gram tea cakes | qīzi bǐng chá | 七子饼茶 | 七子餅茶 | |
Liu Bao Cha | Six Treasure tea | liù bǎo chá | 六堡茶 | 六堡茶 | |
Kang Zhuan | Healthy Brick | kāng zhuān | 康砖 | 康磚 | |
Jin Jian | Golden Tips | jīn jiān | 金尖 | 金尖 | |
Qing Zhuan Cha | Green Brick tea | qīng zhuānchá | 青砖茶 | 青磚茶 | |
Fu Zhuan | Fu tea, Fu brick tea | fú zhuānchá | 茯砖茶 | 茯磚茶 | |
Zhu Tong Cha | Bamboo tube tea, Bamboo dark tea | zhútǒng chá | 竹筒茶 | 竹筒茶 | |
Pu'er Fang Cha | Square pu erh tea | pǔ'ěr fāng chá | 普洱方茶 | 普洱方茶 | |
Tuo Cha | Tuocha tea | tuóchá | 沱茶 | 沱茶 | |
An Hua Hua Zhuan | An Hua Flower brick | ān huà huāzhuān | 安化花砖 | 安化花磚 |
Herbal Tea Name List
The strict definition of 'tea' is any infusion resulting from leaves of the Camellia Sinensis tea plant. Because herbal teas (also known as 'tisane') such as Rooibos and flower teas aren't made from the tea plant, we'll not create a list for these.