Exploring Enshi Yulu: Appreciating a Historic Tea & The Perfect Pairing Guide

As the spring mist gently caresses the mountains of Enshi, it heralds the annual harvest season for a rare green tea. Enshi Green Tea, especially the famous Enshi Yulu, has become a treasure among green tea enthusiasts due to its unique steam-fixing process and refined flavor profile. At setengtea, we celebrate this ancient tea tradition from Enshi, Hubei, and invite you to explore its pure flavor and culinary potential.

Understanding Enshi Green Tea

Enshi Green Tea primarily refers to Enshi Yulu, which is the only Chinese green tea to retain the Tang Dynasty steam-fixing process currently in use. Unlike the more common pan-fired green teas, the steam-fixing method maximizes the retention of the tea leaves’ natural color and nutrients.

Unique Process: The tea leaves are steam-fixed (killed-green) before undergoing careful rolling and baking. This process gives Enshi Yulu its characteristic needle-like appearance, resembling pine needles, and its deep emerald color.

Sensory Experience: Enshi Green Tea is famous for its “Three Greens”—green dry leaves, green liquor (brew), and green spent leaves. The taste is fresh, mellow, and smooth, with a cooling aftertaste and an elegant aroma reminiscent of seaweed or roasted chestnuts. The fragrance lingers long after drinking.

Health Benefits: The steam-fixing method better preserves chlorophyll, vitamins, and tea polyphenols, making it a healthy beverage that is known for **clearing heat, relieving greasiness, and refreshing the mind.

Culinary Pairing with Enshi Green Tea

Enshi Green Tea (Yulu)'s crisp mouthfeel and subtle aroma make it an excellent choice for pairing with a variety of dishes. Its defining characteristics of "cleanliness" and "freshness" effectively enhance the delicate flavors of food.

The Art of Pairing Green Tea with Food

Delicate White Meats and Poultry：(eg. Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken Breast or Roasted Turkey.） The refreshing quality of the green tea balances the herbs and oils, while its subtly sweet finish enhances the delicate texture of the white meat.

Goat Cheese or Light Quiche：Especially French Quiche or goat cheese salad with fresh berries. The green tea's mineral notes and freshness cleanse the palate of the rich cheese aroma, leading to a cleaner, more invigorating mouthfeel.

Light French or Italian Pasta：（eg. Pesto Pasta or clear-broth Tortellini.） The tea's crisp and mellow freshness highlights the fragrance of herbs and olive oil, ensuring the tea flavor does not overpower the essence of the dish.

Artisan Cookies and Fruit Tarts：（eg.Almond Biscotti, Scones, or Fresh Strawberry Tarts.） The elegant aroma and low/no-sugar characteristic of the green tea neutralize the sweetness of the desserts, creating a light, guilt-free afternoon tea experience. 

Vegetable or Clear Broth Soups：（eg.French Consommé or Cream of Asparagus Soup.） The green tea's mild seaweed or chestnut aroma adds a subtle depth to the soup, making it especially suitable as an aperitif before the meal. 

Savor the Pure Moments of Enshi Green Tea

At setengtea, we carefully select premium green tea from the core producing regions of Enshi, ensuring that every infusion fully showcases the shape, color, aroma, and taste of Yulu.