Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
★★★☆☆
Meizhan
Also known as: Mei Zhan · Mei Chan
An old Fujian cultivar with a distinctive woody-orchid, longan-fruit character.
Species
var. sinensis
Lineage
Heirloom
Country
China (Fujian)
Year
Traditional
Leaf size
Medium
Cup quality
3/5
Meizhan (梅占) is a traditional small-leaf, semi-arbor Fujian cultivar said to have originated in Anxi and long established in Wuyi as well. It is counted among Anxi's principal varieties alongside Tieguanyin, Huangdan, Ben Shan and Mao Xie.
Hardy and productive, Meizhan gives a distinctive cup with woody-orchid aromatics and a characteristic longan-fruit sweetness. It is made as a Wuyi rock oolong and also as red (black) tea, and is valued as a dependable, characterful cultivar rather than a delicate showpiece.
Heirloom
Traditional cultivar predating modern selection programs.
Lineage data & sources
Clonal / landrace selection — selected from its regional population, so a specific mother and father plant are not individually documented.
Sources: teaguardian.com
Teas produced
Oolong (roasted)Black
Flavor signature
Growing regions
- Fujian (Anxi, Wuyi)
Origins where Meizhan grows
Brands likely carrying Meizhan
Direct-sourcing operations with focus areas that align with this cultivar's typical growing regions.