春茶
Term · Raw material
spring harvest
Literal meaning
spring tea
Definition#
The spring harvest, roughly March to May in Yunnan, considered the best for pu'er because slow growth after the dry season gives concentrated leaf. The first spring picking is 头春 (tóuchūn); later spring rounds are 二春 etc.
Translation and usage#
| Language | Use | Alternatives & cautions |
|---|---|---|
| English | spring harvest spring-picked leaf translation |
Also acceptable
Avoid first flush (for all spring tea) only 头春 is the first picking first flush Darjeeling grading term |
| Deutsch | Frühjahrspflückung im Frühling gepflückter Tee translation |
Also acceptable
Avoid First Flush Darjeeling convention |
| Русский | весенний сбор чай весеннего сбора; первый сбор — тоу чунь translation |
Also acceptable
|
| 简体字 | 春茶 | |
| 繁體字 | 春茶 | Regional usage
|
| 日本語 | 春茶 |
Common confusions#
- Darjeeling 'first flush' grading is not equivalent to Yunnan spring rounds.
- '2026 spring' on a yancha label does not mean the tea was available in spring; roasting delays release by months.
- Season words differ by region: Phoenix dancong grading uses 春茶, 夏暑茶, 秋茶 and 雪茶 (T/CZTTBZ 001-2021); Taiwan uses spring, summer, autumn and winter tea plus 冬片.