At a glance
Xixiang Chaoqing, also called Xixiang Te Chao in the older account, is a local pan-fired green-tea reference from Xixiang in Hanzhong. It sits within the broader regional green-tea context rather than representing a separate botanical tea variety.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 西乡炒青（西乡特炒） |
| Tea family | Green tea |
| Associated origin | Xixiang County, Hanzhong, Shaanxi |
| Leaf form | Tight, slightly curled pan-fired green strands |
Taste and appearance
The original tiers describe tight, slightly curled strands, fresh lustrous green through grey-green colour, bright pale-green to yellow-green liquor and chestnut-like or clean refined fragrance. The Extra-grade taste is full and strong; the next tiers are fresh and mellow or fairly full and mellow. Its liquor and infused-leaf images are shared with Hanzhong Chaoqing, not independent sample records.
The cover is the original dry-leaf 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 | Grade 1 | Grade 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry-leaf shape | Tight, slightly curled strands | Fine, tight, slightly curled strands | Tight, curled strands |
| Dry-leaf colour | Fresh lustrous green | Lustrous green | Grey-green |
| Liquor | Pale green and bright | Pale green and bright | Yellow-green, fairly bright |
| Aroma | Rich and lasting chestnut-like fragrance | Clean, refined and rich fragrance | Lasting chestnut-like fragrance |
| Taste | Full, strong flavour | Rich, fresh and mellow | Fairly full and fairly mellow |
| Infused leaves | Pale green and even | Green, bright and neat | Green and even |
The retained tiers describe the earlier edition’s comparison, not independently certified current grades for every maker.
Names and origin
The earlier article lists 17 old Xixiang townships, including Dahe, Chazhen, Gaochuan, Lianghekou, Yankou, Yanghe, Xiakou, Luo Jiaba, Sidu, Shahe and Sangyuan, together with older names such as Chengguan, Majiawan, Wuliba, Gucheng, Sanhuashi and Zuoxi. This is a historical locality list, not the current administrative schedule. The reviewed 2024 regulator statement uses a revised Xixiang list after consolidation. A comparison with Longjing or Xinyang Maojian is an older opinion, not a tested quality ranking.
Everyday benefits
Brewed without added sugar, this is an ordinary tea drink that can be an alternative to sweetened drinks and contribute to fluid intake. It contains caffeine. These everyday properties do not establish that this named tea treats disease, lowers blood sugar or improves sleep. No TeaPlain clinical or brewing test is claimed here.
Who may enjoy this tea
It may suit someone exploring Xixiang Chaoqing as an everyday green tea. Choose by flavour, actual leaf form and preparation rather than a promise of mineral supplementation or health treatment.
When to take care
- Caffeine sensitivity or sleep problems: consider your total intake and timing if tea affects your sleep. A pale infusion is not a caffeine-free claim.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or medicines: ask a clinician or pharmacist about your actual product, caffeine intake and relevant medicine instructions.
- Iron supplements: follow the medicine’s instructions about separating tea from the dose. Do not use tea as treatment for anaemia.
These are product and individual considerations, not a blanket ban based on traditional “hot” or “cold” labels, age, sex or a constitution category.
How to brew
Original prose: heat-safe glass
The earlier method uses a heat-safe glass, 1:50 tea-to-water ratio and 85–90°C / 185–194°F water. It says to refill when about one-third of the liquid remains, and describes roughly three infusions/refills. It supplies no first steeping time. Keep the retained illustration’s method separate below.
| Detail | Original prose with an explicit ratio example |
|---|---|
| Tea | 3 g Xixiang Chaoqing as an editorial arithmetic example |
| Actual water | 150 mL / about 5.1 US fl oz, measured water; 3 g at 1:50 |
| Vessel | Heat-safe glass with room for the leaves and actual water |
| Water temperature | 85–90°C / 185–194°F |
| First drinking infusion | No first steeping time recorded in the prose; follow a complete packet method |
| Refill | At about one-third liquid remaining; refilling is different from a full fresh measured batch |
These inherited directions and explicit ratio examples are awaiting hands-on testing. Nominal vessel capacity and a drawn fill fraction do not measure actual water. Three repeat cups is not a guarantee of equal strength. If leaves remain in the glass, extraction continues; transfer or strain if the cup becomes too strong. Let the drink cool enough to sip.
Read the original illustration separately
The retained graphic gives 5 g, 85°C, 1:50 and a heat-safe glass. The ratio implies 250 mL actual water by arithmetic, not a measured vessel capacity. It starts with water to about one-third of the glass and then fills to seven-tenths, with 2–3 minutes before drinking. Refill at about one-third remaining. Keep this entire illustrated method separate from the prose; a fill fraction does not verify the actual water volume.
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
| What you notice | One change to try |
|---|---|
| Too strong, bitter or drying | Separate the liquid from the leaves; shorten contact time or use less tea next time |
| Weak or watery | Keep the measured water fixed and try a longer infusion before changing the leaf dose |
| Later infusions become stronger | Check whether liquid was left sitting with the leaves |
| Different from a flavour description | Compare the actual product and method; a description is not a promise for every cup |
Change one variable at a time. For a fuller sequence, see fix a disappointing first cup.
How to buy
Ask for Xixiang locality, producer, harvest, grade and leaf form. Treat the older 17-township list as historical. A local name or a comparison with a famous tea does not authenticate a packet or guarantee the same flavour.
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 | 300 | 60 |
| Grade 1 | 250 | 50 |
| Grade 2 | 100 | 20 |
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
The original method places green tea in a closed foil pouch, gently removes excess air, then puts the pouch inside a lidded iron or tin container upright for refrigerated storage, protected from light, moisture and smells. Check that a paper pouch is actually lined and moisture resistant; plain paper alone is not an airtight moisture barrier.
Its general reference was 12 months, with storage below 10°C / 50°F and below 50% relative humidity. It also described a cool, shaded room-temperature option for tea expected to be finished within two months. These are inherited conditions, not a verified expiry or a remaining-life prediction for an opened packet. Follow the actual maker’s label, package and specified conditions first.
In a UK or US kitchen
If following a product’s cold-storage directions, keep the pack sealed against fridge moisture and food smells, and let it warm while still sealed before opening. Keep a working portion away from the hob or stove, dishwasher steam, sunlight and spices; reseal after use. Do not apply a refrigerator recipe to another tea automatically. See storing an opened packet for handling.
The original green-tea handling note keeps a separate one-to-two-week working portion to avoid repeatedly warming and opening the bulk cold pack. Portion in dry conditions and seal each pack.
Origin, processing and history
The retained map begins with spreading, then shows heat fixing, rolling, second heating, third heating, final drying and packing. Picking is not drawn as a separate box. This is an abbreviated pan-fired green-tea process, not a complete specification for every Xixiang maker.
Common questions
Is Xixiang Chaoqing a separate tea family from Hanzhong Chaoqing?
No. It is a local pan-fired green-tea reference in the Hanzhong region. The two pages preserve their different inherited descriptions and recipes, while explaining the overlapping geographical scope.
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 Hanzhong Chaoqing, or browse the green tea 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.