#TodaysTea, #今天的茶, 2018; var. #Gynostemma pentaphyllum; Dayao Shan, Guangxi; leaves only, sundried; 800-1500m.

Infusion: Steeped – Tea Bottle: 3g in 150ml

Opinion: Jiǎogǔlán, or Gynostemma pentaphyllum, is a Tea made from the leaves of a vine that grows in the mountains of southern China. It came to prominence through Japanese research into Octogenarians in southern China, concluding that the daily consumption of Jiaogulan tea may have been a significant contributing factor to the long and healthy lives of elderly villagers.

Nowadays this Tea comes in two forms, its original “wild” vine status, and the sweeter “farmed” vine, also it comes in 3, 5 (penta-phylum), and 7 leaf varieties. Today’s Tea, was quite bitter-sweet with the sweetness lingering on afterwards in the finish. It is generally recommended to drink 1-2 cups per day.