The Royal Heritage: Emei Snow Bud’s Journey Through Chinese History

In the magnificent tapestry of Chinese tea history, few varieties can claim a heritage as rich and prestigious as Emei Snow Bud (峨眉雪芽). This exquisite green tea, exclusively available at TEA2LIFE, has graced the cups of emperors, inspired poets, and earned its place among China’s most revered teas for over a thousand years.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), when Chinese tea culture reached its first golden age, Emei Snow Bud achieved something remarkable – it was selected as an Imperial Tribute Tea. Emperor Taizong, one of China’s most discerning rulers, was so impressed by its unique qualities that he dispatched Sun Simiao, the renowned “King of Medicine,” to the Emei Mountains to study this exceptional tea.

What made this tea worthy of such imperial attention? The answer lies in its distinctive characteristics:
• Delicate, snow-white buds harvested in early spring
• Uniquely smooth, refreshing taste
• Remarkable clarity in the cup
• Natural sweetness that lingers

In 1174, the celebrated Song Dynasty poet Lu You wrote these immortal lines about Emei Snow Bud:

“Snow buds freshly picked from Emei’s peaks,
Rival the finest spring teas of Guzu in their red sachets.”

This poetic endorsement wasn’t mere artistic license. Lu You, known as a tea connoisseur, ranked Emei Snow Bud alongside the most prestigious teas of his time. Today, at TEA2LIFE, we maintain the same exacting standards that earned such high praise.

The story of Emei Snow Bud is inseparable from its Buddhist origins. Buddhist monks have been the guardians of this tea’s heritage since the Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE). The tea gardens, nestled between elevations of 800-1200 meters, were often part of temple grounds, where monks developed and refined cultivation methods that we still honor today.

The harvesting of Emei Snow Bud follows strict traditional guidelines:
• Only picked during early spring, around the Qingming Festival
• Careful selection of one bud and one or two leaves
• Traditional hand-picking techniques to preserve quality
• Approximately 45,000 buds required for 500 grams of finished tea

The traditional processing of Emei Snow Bud involves several carefully controlled steps:
1. Gentle withering
2. Precise firing
3. Rolling and shaping
4. Final drying

Each step requires extensive expertise passed down through generations of tea masters. At TEA2LIFE, we proudly maintain these traditional methods while incorporating modern quality control standards.

• Recognition as Imperial Tribute Tea
• First documented in the “Tea Classic” by Lu Yu

• Peak of popularity among scholars and officials
• Mentioned in numerous poetry collections

• Refined processing techniques
• Established as one of China’s top ten famous teas

Our commitment to preserving this historical legacy while ensuring the highest quality standards makes TEA2LIFE’s Emei Snow Bud unique:

• Direct sourcing from traditional growing areas
• Strict adherence to historical processing methods
• Rigorous quality control
• Authentic certification
• Premium packaging to preserve freshness

In recent years, Emei Snow Bud has received numerous accolades:
• Recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Multiple international tea competition awards
• Certified organic status

At TEA2LIFE, we’re proud to offer this historical treasure to tea enthusiasts worldwide. Each cup of Emei Snow Bud connects you to a thousand years of Chinese tea culture, imperial heritage, and Buddhist tradition.

Ready to experience this imperial tea yourself? Use code HERITAGE10 for 10% off your first purchase.