Anxi Mao Xie or "Hairy Crab" Oolong Tea of Fujian

The fresh leaves of the "Mao Xie" or "Hairy Crab" tea variety are small with broad tips and pointed ends. The most distinctive feature is the deeply serrated edges of the leaves, which are densely and sharply toothed. The leaf surface is covered with fine white hairs. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the serrations are unique—unlike other tea leaves, they curve inward, resembling the edge of a crab's shell. This is why it’s called "Mao Xie" or "Hairy Crab." Along with Tie Guan Yin, Bai Rui Xiang, and Huang Jin Gui, it is considered one of the four famous teas of Anxi.

Origin Story:

Mao Xie or "Hairy Crab" tea originates from Daqiulun in Fumei Village, Daping Township, Anxi County. It is a clonal variety. According to the *Tea Tree Varieties Chronicle* (published in 1979 by the Tea Research Institute of the Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, page 74), the story goes: "In the 33rd year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign (1907), Zhang Jiaxie from Pingzhou Village, aged 71, recounted: 'I was traveling to buy cloth and passed by Gao Xiang’s house in Daqiulun, Fumei Village. He mentioned a type of tea that grew very quickly, with leaves ready for harvesting just two years after planting. I decided to bring back over 100 plants and planted them in my own tea garden.'" Due to its high yield and excellent quality, Mao Xie or "Hairy Crab" tea spread throughout Anxi, Fujian.

** Actual colors of the tea may vary somewhat from pictured. Purchase the smallest amount to try before purchasing larger amounts.

【Effects and functions of hairy crab tea】

1. The crude catechins in hairy crab tea have strong auxiliary antioxidant activity, which can eliminate active oxygen molecules in cells and clean up excess free radicals in the body, thereby alleviating the symptoms of aging and having the effect of beauty and anti-aging.

2. Hairy crab tea also has the effect of assisting in stomach and digestion, detoxification and weight loss. The caffeine, inositol, folic acid, pantothenic acid and aromatic substances in tea can regulate fat metabolism and have a good decomposition effect on protein and fat.

3. The tea polyphenols and tannic acid in hairy crab tea can assist in coagulating bacterial proteins and have the effect of assisting in sterilization and antibacterial.

4. It is well known that people who drink tea frequently have a much lower chance of suffering from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension, because the tea polyphenols and vitamin C in tea have the effect of assisting in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis to prevent arteriosclerosis.

Important Note:
While Tie Guan Yin tea offers numerous health benefits, it should not replace medications for treating diseases. It is also important to consume it in moderation, as drinking too much strong tea can cause side effects like insomnia or gastrointestinal discomfort. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and individuals with insomnia should consult a doctor and drink the tea cautiously based on their specific conditions.

Tags: Anxi Tea, Fujian Anxi Tea, Anxi Mao Xie, Mao Xie Oolong Tea, Hairy Crab Oolong Tea, Anxi Oolong Tea, Chinese Tea