At a glance
Qingqianliu is a leaf-infusion product associated with Cyclocarya paliurus. Giant-panda-of-plants language is a nickname, not evidence that a packet is a protected wild harvest or a diabetes medicine.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 青钱柳茶 |
| Browsing group | Herbal infusion |
| Associated origin | The inherited account names Hunan and several other Chinese provinces, not one certified growing site |
| Material form | Identified prepared Cyclocarya leaf material |
Taste and appearance
The old comparison describes tight curled long strands, a lustrous stem-free higher tier and some mixed leaves in the second. Dry colour is dark brown, liquor bright or clear orange-yellow, aroma clean and lasting, and taste sweet mellow refreshing or fresh mellow. Infused leaves are fairly complete. These observations do not authenticate a species or a protected-origin harvest.
The cover is the original material illustration. These images are not TeaPlain tasting samples or proof of origin, grade, age, authenticity or image rights clearance.
Grade characteristics
This preserves the earlier Chinese edition’s sensory comparison. It is not a complete verified current standard table and does not grade your packet. Plant material, growing area, processing and grade are separate details. Decorative star rankings are omitted.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare the grades.
| Feature | Extra grade (old comparison) | Grade 1 (old comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Tight curled long lustrous strands without stems | Fairly tight curled material with some mixed leaves |
| Dry colour | Dark brown | Dark brown |
| Liquor | Bright orange-yellow | Clear orange-yellow |
| Aroma | Clean lasting fresh aroma | Delicate fresh aroma |
| Taste | Sweet mellow refreshing | Fresh mellow refreshing |
| Infused material | Fresh even complete leaves | Fairly complete leaves |
Inherited sensory comparisons retained without stars, not a complete verified current grade standard or authentication of the photographed lot.
Names and origin
China’s 2013 specific ingredient listing names Cyclocarya paliurus leaf and infusion as the method. It does not turn all parts or extracts into interchangeable ingredients or confer food permission everywhere. The original list of producing provinces is broader than its main Hunan association. The unsupported second-largest-protected-plant and universal extreme-rarity claims are not adopted; a nickname is not a legal protection category or a current population survey.
Everyday benefits
An unsweetened, clearly identified food-grade infusion can be enjoyed for flavour and as an alternative to a sweetened drink. The earlier therapeutic claims are not established for this cup. It is not a treatment or a substitute for food or prescribed care.
Who may enjoy this tea
For readers checking an identified leaf product with the inherited mellow sweet profile.
When to take care
If taking medicines or Iron supplements, follow their instructions and ask a pharmacist about the actual product rather than assume that all herbal drinks have the same interactions. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergies and suitability for children need the identified ingredients and preparation; this page gives no medicinal dose.
How to brew
Original prose: glass or porcelain cup
The inherited method uses a heat-safe glass or porcelain cup, 1:50, 90–100°C / 194–212°F water, refilling at about one-third remaining and roughly three infusions. It gives no first steeping time. For an identified food-grade product only, an arithmetic example is 3 g with 150 mL Actual water; that is not a dose validated for every herb. Follow the complete packet instructions first. Different plant species, plant parts and processing cannot share one universal recipe.
These inherited directions are awaiting hands-on testing. Refilling changes the concentration and is not a new measured batch. Let the drink cool enough to sip; do not use a photograph to identify unknown plants.
Read the original illustration separately
Illustration: glass cup. Warm the empty cup, add 5 g, pour 85°C / 185°F water to one-third, gently swirl, top up to seven-tenths and wait 2–3 minutes. The caption says 1:50, refill at one-third and roughly three infusions. That ratio would mean 250 mL Actual water for 5 g, but the diagram gives neither measured water nor capacity; fractions do not verify it. The temperature differs from the prose.
For ordinary teaware options, see brew without a gaiwan. Keep each complete method together instead of selecting temperature, dose and time from different preparations.
Adjust your cup
Identify the ingredients and follow the actual food product’s complete preparation instructions first. Once that is clear, adjust within those directions for taste. Do not increase the dose or boiling time of unknown plant material to make it suitable for drinking.
How to buy
Check botanical identity, plant part, full ingredients, intended food use, maker, source and dates. Follow the actual packet’s directions; the generic name cannot identify an unknown plant or preparation.
See buy your first Chinese tea for packet comparisons.
China price reference
Undated figures retained from the Chinese edition, in Chinese yuan (CNY). No original brand, batch, harvest or quotation date was recorded. These are not verified current retail quotes, a market average or manufacturer-suggested retail prices.
| Chinese-edition tier | CNY per 500 g (one jin) | Equivalent CNY per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| Extra grade | 500 | 100 |
| Grade 1 | 200 | 40 |
Per 100 g is an arithmetic conversion, not a quoted packet. Do not infer a missing sensory or price tier. Compare actual growing area, style, harvest, roast, weight and channel. A currency conversion does not make a UK or US retail offer comparable to a China historical figure.
How to store
Original storage method
Keep the bag or food-safe container tightly sealed, in a cool dry place protected from light, moisture and strong smells. Reseal after taking a portion and check the closure, particularly during humid seasonal changes. Keep it away from cooking steam, the dishwasher, sunny windows and spices. Follow the product’s date and storage label; no universal shelf life is established here.
Origin, processing and history
The original labels material selection, sorting, withering, heat-fixing, rolling and drying. It does not verify a protected wild source, a plant-protection status or a therapeutic effect.
Common questions
Does qingqianliu tea treat high blood sugar?
That is not established for this cup. Ingredient permission and laboratory composition are not clinical treatment evidence; do not replace diabetes medicines with the drink.
Can I move one number from this recipe into a different vessel?
Keep leaf form, measured dose and actual water, temperature, timing and separation together. Nominal capacity or a fill fraction is not a measured ratio.
Compare Mulberry Leaf Tea, or browse the herbal infusion overview.
Editorial notes and updates
Updated 16 October 2026. Valid original descriptions, sensory comparisons, prose and image methods, storage handling, China price figures and usable pictures are retained with their scope. Doubtful medical, ranking and exact historical claims are revised or omitted. Current full grade clauses and historical prices are not certified. Original Chinese-labelled graphics have English reading notes; no TeaPlain tasting or brewing test is claimed. Internal research and image audits record the decisions.