Each spring, tea enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of China’s celebrated Pre-Qingming teas. Harvested before the Qingming Festival in early April, these early spring teas are prized for their tenderness, sweetness, and vibrant character. At Upton Tea Imports, conducting a thoughtful tea cupping of these seasonal offerings allows us to fully appreciate the nuance and craftsmanship behind exceptional Chinese loose leaf tea.
Pre-Qingming tea refers to leaves plucked during the brief window before Qingming, when cooler temperatures and slower growth produce especially delicate leaves rich in amino acids and aromatic compounds. Because the plants have been dormant throughout winter, this first flush of growth contains concentrated flavor. The resulting teas are often softer, sweeter, and more refined than later harvests.
A professional tea cupping provides the ideal setting for evaluating these subtle qualities side by side. During a cupping, teas are prepared using standardized measurements, water temperatures, and infusion times to ensure consistency. Each tea in the cupping is prepared in a matching Professional Tea Cupping Set. This method highlights the distinct characteristics of each tea with the greatest level of consistency.
Tea cuppings also help emphasize the influence of terroir and processing techniques. Even among teas harvested within the same short seasonal window, regional distinctions become clearly evident.
One of the first observations during a tea cupping is the aromatics. Pre-Qingming green teas display fresh vegetal notes reminiscent of tender greens, chestnuts, or orchids. Pre-Qingming black teas, especially those from Yunnan province, have a rich, earthy fragrance with notes ranging from stone fruit to cocoa. Comparisons of the aroma of the steeped tea with observations about the dry and wet leaves are illuminating at this stage.
The next observations are of the cup itself. Note the color and clarity of the liquor as you identify any sensations on the palate. Pre-Qingming teas frequently present a gentle sweetness balanced by refreshing briskness. Unlike teas from later harvests that may develop stronger qualities, Pre-Qingming selections often feel and taste softer.
The final element of a well-rounded observation is the finish. Is it crisp and clean or smooth and lingering? Does it have a spicy or sweet aspect that stays on your tongue?
Here at Upton Tea Imports, we rely frequently on our cupping notes to gather impressions of the ever-expanding bounty of new teas as they arrive. Here are a few of our notes for our latest Pre-Qingming offerings:
Aroma: Stone fruit, accented by fragrant honey sweetness
Cup: Smooth and earthy with pronounced apricot notes
Finish: delicate whispers of clove
Pre-Qingming Que She Premium Green Tea
Aroma: Notes of sugar cookies and fresh flowers
Cup: A buttery mouthfeel with pronounced sugary sweetness, gentle floral nuances, and hints of ripe pear
Finish: Smooth and lingering
Pre-Qingming Honey Black Golden Needle
Aroma: pronounced cocoa notes layered with hints of earth, toast, and spice
Cup: Rich with velvety cocoa flavor and a whisper of clove
Finish: Lingering cocoa notes
Cup: Sugarcane-sweet vegetal notes with toasty and chestnut hints
Aroma: Delicate vegetal flavor, a honey sweetness, and subtle whispers of melon
Finish: Smooth and lingering with a refreshing crispness
For both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers, through careful tasting and comparison, one can better understand why these fleeting early spring harvests continue to hold such an esteemed place in tea culture around the world.
Until next time, keep sipping!
