Meng Ding Gan Lu (蒙顶甘露, Méng Dǐng Gān Lù) is a kind of Chinese green tea. It is native to the Mengding Mountain in the Ya’an City of Sichuan Province. Meng Ding Gan Lu is an ancient green tea and is regarded as the pioneer of famous tea.
Meng Ding Gan Lu and Meng Ding Huang Ya are two famous tea in Mengding Mountain. Meng Ding Huang Ya is a kind of yellow tea.
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History of Meng Ding Gan Lu
Mengding Mountain has a history of more than 2,000 years. It is said that at the end of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AD), there was a Zen master in Mengding Temple who planted seven tea trees on Mengding Mountain.
These seven tea trees sprouted every year. Its yield is very low, but the tea can cure diseases and has health care functions.
During the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Meng Ding Gan Lu was regarded as a tribute tea.
Until the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), Meng Ding Gan Lu was still a tribute tea. The tea produced in the Royal Tea Garden was used by the emperor to sacrifice God. Even the emperor could not drink it. Only the tea produced outside the Royal Tea Garden could be drunk by the emperor.
Besides, there were many poets of the Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty who wrote many poems to praise Meng Ding Gan Lu, which is also a symbol of the rise of Chinese tea culture.
After the founding of New China, the development of Meng Ding tea is faster. In 1959, Meng Ding Gan Lu was selected as the national famous tea.
Characteristics of Meng Ding Gan Lu
Meng Ding tea has been called “immortal tea”, which is famous for its high quality. Meng Ding tea refers to the teas produced in Mengding Mountain. Meng Ding Gan Lu and Meng Ding Huang Ya play an important role in Meng Ding tea.
The fresh leaves of Meng Ding Gan Lu are tender and delicate. It was picked in the spring every year and the picking standard is single bud or one bud with one leaf.
The finished dried Meng Ding Gan Lu is thin, curled, covered with white hairs, and looks white-green.
After brewing, Meng Ding Gan Lu has a strong fragrance, which is initially like that of fresh leaves and slowly comes out a pleasant fragrance like that of the orchid. The tea liquid is clear and yellow-green; it tastes fresh and has a sweet aftertaste.
Processing 500 grams of high-quality Meng Ding Gan Lu requires 50,000 tea buds. The tea buds mainly refer to one bud with one leaf.
Benefits of Meng Ding Gan Lu
Anti-Aging
Tea polyphenols in Meng Ding Gan Lu have strong antioxidation, which can help to delay aging.
Anti-Cancer
Catechins can prevent and assist the treatment of gastric cancer, bowel cancer, and other cancers.
Inhibit Cardiovascular Disease
Catechins in Meng Ding Gan Lu can help to inhibit cardiovascular disease.
Skincare
Meng Ding Gan Lu contains a variety of amino acids, which can remove facial oil, tighten pores, and reduce the damage of ultraviolet rays to the skin under sunlight.
Diuretic and Protect Kidney
Caffeine in Meng Ding Gan Lu can stimulate the kidney, promote the rapid excretion of urine out of the body, improve the filtration rate of the kidney, and reduce the retention time of harmful substances in the kidney.
Weight Loss
Meng Ding Gan Lu has effects on digestion and fat reduction, so it can help to lose weight.
Protect Teeth
The content of fluorine in Meng Ding Gan Lu is high, which helps protect teeth. If you drink 10 grams of Meng Ding Gan Lu per day, you can absorb 1mg of water-soluble fluorine.
Protect Eye
Meng Ding Gan Lu contains vitamin C and other ingredients, which have the effect of reducing eye diseases and protecting eyes.