Standing out for its delicate yet intense aroma, biluochun is among China's finest green teas, originating from Jiangsu Province. Its name-which translates as 'green snail spring'-refers to the tea's distinctive curled leaves that resemble tiny spirals. What makes biluochun extraordinary is its floral fragrance. Capturing the essence of spring, the taste is light, sweet and refreshingly grassy, with a lingering, orchid-like finish. Once known as 'scary fragrance' due to the intensity of scent-rather than the snail-shell-like appearance of tea leaves-the aroma was reportedly discovered when a tea picker tucked fresh leaves into her bodice, warming them to release their fragrance.

How to serve

Allow one teaspoon of biluochun per cup and steep at 75-80 C for
1-2 minutes. Avoid boiling water to preserve delicate floral notes.
Multiple reinfusions are possible.

Where to buy

Greys Tea sells 125g for £19.78 (01564 792295; www.greysteas.co.uk).

Jonathon Jones tastes tea and exports English-grown tea worldwide.