{"product_id":"green-tea-sparrows-tongue-no-09","title":"Green Tea – Sparrow's Tongue (No. 09) | 125g","description":"\u003cp\u003eSparrow's Tongue — Que She — is named for the shape of its leaf: a small, flat, two-leaf-and-bud set pressed during pan-firing into a form that resembles the tip of a sparrow's tongue. The name is descriptive, not poetic license. In person, the leaves are exactly that: compact, uniform, a vivid and consistent jade green that signals both careful picking and precise processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat distinguishes Sparrow's Tongue from other pan-fired green teas is its fragrance. Where Longjing leads with roasted-bean warmth and Biluochun with bold floral-fruit, Sparrow's Tongue No. 09 opens with something cooler and more unexpected: a clean, fresh pear-like sweetness that drifts from the dry leaf before water is even added, and carries through the cup with unusual persistence. It is a tea for those who find most green teas either too grassy or too roasted — a third register, sitting between the two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh Pear Fragrance\u003c\/strong\u003e — The defining aromatic note of No. 09: a clean, cool, fruit-forward sweetness reminiscent of fresh Asian pear — present in the dry leaf, amplified on first pour, and sustained across multiple infusions without turning flat or vegetal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVivid Jade-Green Leaf, Uniform Shape\u003c\/strong\u003e — The dry leaf is a consistent, bright green with a flat, tongue-shaped form — a visual marker of quality control at both the picking and processing stages. In a clear vessel, the leaves are worth observing before and during brewing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBright, Clear Liquor\u003c\/strong\u003e — The cup pours a pale yellow-green with excellent clarity — luminous and clean, free of cloudiness. The color is an accurate preview of the flavor: fresh, precise, and uncluttered.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight-to-Medium Body, Crisp Finish\u003c\/strong\u003e — Smooth on entry with a lively, slightly bright quality mid-palate. The finish is clean and gently sweet, with a freshness that distinguishes it from heavier-bodied pan-fired teas. No bitterness, no astringency when brewed at the right temperature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-Leaf-and-Bud Picking Standard\u003c\/strong\u003e — One bud plus one young leaf — the classic Sparrow's Tongue picking ratio — selected for size uniformity before pan-firing. The resulting leaf set delivers more complexity than a single-bud grade with more aromatic delicacy than a multi-leaf selection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n100% single-origin Sparrow's Tongue green tea (\u003cem\u003eCamellia sinensis\u003c\/em\u003e), pan-fired, China. Two-leaf-and-bud picking standard, uniform grade selection. No additives, no blending, no artificial flavoring. Net weight: 125g.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Brew — Hot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nWater temperature: 167–176°F (75–80°C) — cooler water preserves the pear-like top note and the clean, bright character\u003cbr\u003e\nLeaf ratio: 3g per 150–200ml\u003cbr\u003e\nSteep time: 45–75 seconds for the first infusion; extend by 15 seconds per subsequent steep\u003cbr\u003e\nVessel: Glass tumbler or thin-walled porcelain — both showcase the jade-green leaf and pale liquor during brewing\u003cbr\u003e\nYields 3–4 infusions. The pear fragrance is most pronounced on the first and second steeps; subsequent infusions yield a softer, more neutral sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Brew — Cold\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nLeaf ratio: 4–5g per 500ml of cold, filtered water\u003cbr\u003e\nSteep time: 4–6 hours in the refrigerator\u003cbr\u003e\nResult: A clean, lightly sweet cold brew with a cool, fruit-forward character and exceptional clarity. The pear note translates well into cold extraction — perhaps better than any other tea in the ovanyu green tea range. Serve in clear glassware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFAQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What is Sparrow's Tongue, and how common is it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: Sparrow's Tongue (Que She) is a style of pan-fired Chinese green tea defined by its picking ratio — one bud plus one young leaf — and its characteristic flat, tongue-shaped leaf form. It is less internationally known than Longjing or Biluochun, which makes it genuinely distinctive on a tea shelf. Among Chinese tea drinkers, it is appreciated precisely for its departure from the more common aromatic profiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Where does the pear fragrance come from?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: The pear-like aroma is a natural aromatic compound profile specific to this cultivar and growing environment — not an added flavor or blending artifact. The combination of the leaf's natural chemistry, the altitude of the growing area, and the pan-firing technique together produce a fragrance that is consistently described as fresh, cool, and fruit-forward by those encountering it for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How does Sparrow's Tongue compare to Longjing or Biluochun?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: Longjing leads with roasted-bean warmth; Biluochun with bold floral-fruit intensity. Sparrow's Tongue No. 09 sits in a different register entirely — cooler, fresher, and more fruit-forward, without the roasted depth of Longjing or the assertive fragrance of Biluochun. It is a good choice for someone who finds those profiles too heavy, or for those who want something genuinely different from the well-known Chinese green tea canon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is this tea appropriate for cold brewing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: It is one of our most recommended cold brews. The pear note and clean, bright character of Sparrow's Tongue translate exceptionally well into cold extraction — the result is refreshing, naturally sweet, and free of the bitterness that can occur with hot-brewed green teas that are chilled after the fact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How should I store it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: Airtight container, away from heat, light, and strong odors. Refrigerate for storage beyond two weeks in a fully sealed container. Allow to reach room temperature before opening to prevent condensation forming on the leaf surface.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ovanyu","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43986304565311,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/4674\/9759\/files\/dry_286b458f-3b13-4be4-bac0-5eed9bdf6038.jpg?v=1790427801","url":"https:\/\/ovanyu.com\/products\/green-tea-sparrows-tongue-no-09","provider":"榮國輝國際貿易 (香港) 有限公司","version":"1.0","type":"link"}