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Green tea · Melon seed

Lu An Gua Pian

六安瓜片, Lu'an Melon Seed

7.5/10 editor's score

A famous Anhui green tea made from single leaves, not buds, shaped like melon seeds and baked. Recorded in The Classic of Tea.

Famous teaBakedAnhui
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Lu An Gua Pian, top-down

What you need

3 g leafLu An Gua Pian
250 ml water80 to 85°C
Steep 2:002 steeps
LiquorClear green-gold
Served inGaiwan (lidded bowl)

At a glance

A famous Anhui green tea made from single leaves, not buds, shaped like melon seeds and baked.

CaffeineMedium~25 to 45 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit7.5 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestSpringPicked in spring.
Pairs withStir-fries, Dumplings, NutsLess good with sweet desserts
Grown atDabie foothillsLu'an, Anhui
Served inGaiwan (lidded bowl)Porcelain bowl, lid and saucer

About Lu An Gua Pian

What sources say about the taste

Sources say the baking makes it taste different from other Chinese green teas 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

Lu'anAnhuiCHINA
Region
Lu'an City, Anhui 1
Leaf
The second leaf, no buds 1
Process
Pan-fried, then baked 1
History
Recorded in The Classic of Tea 1

More from Lu'an and China.

History and culture

A Qing dynasty tribute tea, enjoyed by the Guangxu Emperor and Empress Dowager Cixi 1.

Mentioned about 80 times in Dream of the Red Chamber 1.

Editor's score

7.5/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 8.0Origin & heritage: 8.5Availability: 6.0Value: 7.0Beginner-friendliness: 7.5Versatility: 6.5Flavour 8.0Heritage 8.5Availability 6.0Value 7.0Beginners 7.5Versatility 6.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Lu An Gua Pian~25 to 45 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

A spring green tea. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Local Anhui Camellia sinensis 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Second leaf only 1.

02Deveining

Central vein removed 1.

03Pan-frying

Shaped in a pan 1.

04Baking

Baked dry 1.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafFlat, oval, melon-seed leaves.
LiquorClear green-gold.
After steeping
Wet leafSingle whole leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Stir-fries
  • Dumplings
  • Nuts

Best avoided

  • Sweet desserts

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and smells.
  • Green tea fades fastest: aim to finish it within 3 to 6 months of opening.
  • Unopened sealed packs can go in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before opening.
Grades and fakes

Graded by leaf evenness.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. No buds or stems: single leaves only 1.
  2. Look for spring harvest.
FAQ
Why no buds?

It uses the second leaf on the branch, not new buds 1.

Find it inGreen teasTeas from ChinaLu'anFamous teaBakedAnhui

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Lu'an Melon Seed tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lu%27an_Melon_Seed_tea
  2. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.