At a glance
Zhegu is a Hainan leaf infusion, often shaped or tied into bundles, rather than ordinary Camellia sinensis tea. A bundled form is not automatically a measured dose or proof of Wanning origin.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 鹧鸪茶 |
| Browsing group | Herbal infusion |
| Associated origin | Hainan, including Wanning and Wuzhishan; a Wanning claim has a more specific scope |
| Material form | Identified prepared leaves, bundles or a separately specified shaped product |
Taste and appearance
The original comparison describes tight full rounded bundles with fairly whole leaves, pale green with silver-grey tones, clear golden liquor and a clean herbal/floral fragrance. Taste is mellow sweet refreshing or sweet-returning; infused leaves are thick fairly even, lustrous with clear veins. A protected Wanning product description also concerns a different processed granular style; it should not replace every bundle’s inherited sensory account.
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 full rounded bundles, complete shaped leaves | Tight full rounded bundles, fairly complete shaped leaves |
| Dry colour | Pale green with silver-grey cast | Pale green with silver-grey cast |
| Liquor | Clear golden | Fairly bright golden |
| Aroma | Clean herbal and rich floral aroma | Lasting fresh aroma |
| Taste | Sweet refreshing mellow | Mellow refreshing with sweet return |
| Infused material | Thick even leaves, clear veins and bright lustre | Thick fairly even lustrous leaves |
Inherited sensory comparisons retained without decorative stars. Not a complete verified current standard, identity test or authentication of the pictured lot. A bundle-style table is not a reproduction of every Wanning granular-product clause.
Names and origin
The inherited account identifies a Mallotus leaf product in Euphorbiaceae. A specific Wanning geographical-indication record sets a county scope, source plant, older-leaf harvest and one processing style; it does not certify all Hainan bundles or define every product called zhegu. Botanical names vary between source documents and are not resolved from a photograph here. Trace the actual species and producer; do not substitute an unrelated wild leaf or infer a medical effect from herbal aroma.
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 exploring an identified Hainan leaf product with an inherited mellow herbal aroma.
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 cup, use one bundle/piece, add 85°C / 185°F water to one-third, gently swirl, top up to seven-tenths and wait 2–3 minutes. Caption:1:50, refill at one-third, around three infusions. No bundle mass, capacity or Actual water is supplied, so a gram ratio cannot be calculated from one bundle.
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 exact botanical identity, plant part, food-use directions, full ingredients, producer, batch, origin claim and dates. A trade name, photograph or traditional medicinal reputation does not identify unknown plant material for drinking.
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 | 700 | 140 |
| Grade 1 | 450 | 90 |
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 old chart lists selection, cooling/spreading, heat-fixing, rolling and drying. The separately checked Wanning record describes washing, spreading, heat-fixing, shaping, drying and aroma work for its specified product. Neither sequence is presented as every maker’s process or a home safety protocol.
Common questions
Does a round zhegu bundle prove Wanning origin?
No. Packaging form and origin are separate. Check the actual source, maker, plant identity and any claimed protected-origin evidence.
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 Yuqing Small Leaf Kuding, 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.