Best Seller From: Hunan Province
Organic Green Mao Jian
About Our Organic Green Mao Jian
Green Mao Jian (毛尖 — "hair tips") comes from the mountains of western Hunan, hand-rolled into the fine, slightly hairy, sharply pointed leaves that give it the name. What it tastes like: meadow notes, light forest scents, no bitterness: not a little less bitter than most green teas, actually none. Kevin put it plainly: "A slight sweetness as it cools, and not a touch of bitterness." That quality doesn't disappear if you get distracted. Jenna, a parent with a toddler, keeps it in regular rotation precisely because forgotten-cup disasters don't end in a mug she has to throw out.
It's a good morning tea or an all-day companion — mild enough to brew a second pot in the afternoon without feeling wired. Lorraine calls it "a light and refreshing way to begin my day." The leaves re-steep well. Sourced from a worker-owned cooperative in Hunan Province, USDA certified organic. A Best Seller because people keep coming back for it.
Brewing Guidelines for Organic Green Mao Jian
2:30 MIN
180 F
1 TSP - 1.25G PER CUP
Brewing Guidelines are for one 8 oz. cup.
The best way to brew your tea is the way you like - don't let anyone tell you different. Our guidelines are configured for making your tea a cup at a time - maybe with our stainless tea filter. If making by the pot, maintain temperature and time but try with slightly less tea than the math would suggest.
For more brewing instructions, read our brewing guidelines.
What Is Green Mao Jian? Hunan Hair Tips Tea — Brewing Guide & FAQ
Mao Jian (毛尖) means "hair tips" — a reference to the fine, downy hairs covering the young spring-picked leaves, and to the sharply pointed shape those leaves take after hand-rolling. It's a style name rather than a single protected regional origin, and ours comes from the mountains of western Hunan Province, where the misty elevation and organic soils produce a particularly delicate version of the style.
Within LRC's green tea lineup it occupies a specific position: where Green Eyebrow has presence and Gunpowder has smoke, Green Mao Jian goes the other direction entirely. The flavor is meadow notes and light forest scents — genuinely pale, genuinely soft, with no bitterness even when the leaves are pushed harder than usual. That's not marketing copy. It's a structural property of the tea: Joseph ran it through a range of temperatures without a thermometer-controlled kettle and reported it was still good; Jenna confirmed it survives toddler-interruption-length steeps without turning on you.
Brewing
Water at 180°F (82°C) — off the boil for about 2 minutes. 1 teaspoon (1.25g) per 8 oz cup. Steep 2 minutes 30 seconds. This tea is forgiving: you can run it longer or hotter without a bitter result, though the standard parameters give you the cleanest meadow character. The leaves will give you a second and third infusion — add a minute each time.
Sourcing
USDA certified organic. Sourced directly from a worker-owned cooperative in Hunan Province, China. No pesticides, no synthetic inputs. The same direct co-op relationship LRC has maintained for 30+ years in China.
FAQ
What does Green Mao Jian taste like?
Meadow notes and light forest scents — pale, clean, and soft. No bitterness. Sarah describes it as "earthy, light flavor, never bitter." Jasmine says it's mellow but has complexity: "so much depth and dimension." It's one of the more delicate green teas in the collection — noticeably lighter in character than Green Eyebrow.
Is this a good everyday tea, or is it more of an occasional drink?
Everyday, no question. Karen brews a large pot in the morning and sips it throughout the day, hot and cold. Chad calls it "the perfect tea — keeps me going all day." The low bitterness makes it easy to drink multiple cups. Jennifer keeps a tin at home and a tin at work.
Will I ruin it if I over-steep it?
It's hard to. This tea is specifically noted for its over-steep tolerance. Jenna, who starts cups and gets pulled away for toddler emergencies, says it "doesn't get bitter or overly punchy but stays nice and mellow, even if left in the pot too long." Joseph tested it without temperature control and called it phenomenal anyway. That said, 180°F / 2:30 minutes gives the best expression of the meadow character.
How much caffeine does Green Mao Jian have?
Green teas have measured about 12–50 mg per cup in published lab analysis (not our own tea), well under a standard cup of coffee, and the range overlaps black and oolong teas almost completely. For a lighter afternoon cup, use less leaf and a shorter steep.
Can I steep the leaves more than once?
Yes. The leaves hold up well for two to three infusions. Add about a minute to the steep time with each subsequent pour, and use water at roughly the same temperature. The flavor softens across steeps but stays clean.
What's the difference between Green Mao Jian and Green Eyebrow?
They're both Chinese pan-fired greens from LRC's everyday lineup, but the drinking experience is quite different. Green Eyebrow (Lü Mei) has presence — fresh, sharp, umami depth, strong enough to carry you all day. Green Mao Jian is the lighter, more delicate option: the same quality, lower intensity. Sarah has tried most of LRC's green teas and calls Mao Jian her favorite, second only to Green Eyebrow. Many customers keep both.
Customer Reviews for Organic Green Mao Jian
We most often buy the green mao jian, often form our local coop. As the teas is so good and popular, the coop is often out and I have had the great pleasure to order directly from the Little Red Tea Cup website. To my surprise I got a personal note from one of the owners with a beautiful welcome and offer to deliver my tea purchase to my house in Portland when possible in their schedule. This extra touch, felt so warm and neighborly and made me enjoy their excellent tea all the more! My son who suffers from Lyme disease, feels that this tea helps energize him and get him through some very tough days. I can only think it is the warm hearts behind the tea that help make it extra special and healing.
This is the perfect tea if you love green tea, but tend to over-steep your tea. Having a toddler, most days I will start a cup of tea and be pulled away for all manner of toddler "emergencies", leaving my tea steeping on the counter. When I return 5-10 minutes later (occasionally, even longer), I know that the Green Mao Jian is not going to be overly bitter and unenjoyable.
Your tea is delicious and always delivered in good shape
I have visited China frequently and the green tea served at business meetings is unlike any tea in the U.S. So imagine how excited I was to try this tea and find it was very close to the real thing! And made in my home state of Maine to boot! I have just placed an order to sample many more of your fine teas. I can’t wait to try them. I am likely to abandon tea bags forever. Thank you!
Mild and soothing for someone who drinks multiple cups a day as part of my cancer preventive regimen. Happy to support a local business. Excellent service.
Loved it!! So delicious even through a second and third cup. Won’t buy tea from any other place!
I have sampled nearly all of the varieties of green tea from little red cup, and Mao Jian is my favorite, second only to theirGreen Eyebrow. Earthy, light flavor, never bitter, and terrific hot or iced. I have so much regard for this little company and the quality and authenticity of their tea.
We are very much enjoying the green mao jian. Light, bright, crisp, and delicate. Just delicious!
I’ve purchased from this tea company several times and I have never been disappointed. Their tea is fresh and I love the taste.
This tea has a great mild flavor. I have since bought a tin for home and work to enjoy no matter where I am.
- 5 stars: 41 (98%)
- 4 stars: 0 (0%)
- 3 stars: 1 (2%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)
The Tea is amazing and the selection is unparalleled. I love the tiny tin the tea came in. It’s such a pleasure to be able to have such high quality loose leaf tea shipped to my door. I can’t wait to methodically try all the green tea varieties!
As a green tea lover but sometimes notorious accidental over-steeper, I say this tea is absolutely a winner! It doesn’t get bitter or overly punchy but stays nice and mellow, even if left in the pot the whole time. A great all-around flavor!
Little Red Cup's green teas are the best! Green Mao Jian and Yu Lu Green have been brightening my mornings. I take some with me when I travel because other brands can't compare.
A very high quality mao jian
Better than others I’ve had
Soothing, smooth, and subtle in flavor.
great as usual
This wonderfully refreshing tea is lightly stimulating, but calming. I brew a large pot in the morning and sip it throughout the day. It tastes fresh, green, and delicious at all temperatures, but at room temperature, I think the tea is the most flavorable and enjoyable.
my new favorite tea and company. thank you so much
Green Mao Jian is a very pleasant and light green tea. I like the smooth and not too overpowering taste. A cozy tea that goes great with reading a good book!
This was one of the first elevated loose-leaf green teas that I've purchased and I have to say that it is phenomenal. I don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, so I've been pouring a range of temps into this green tea and it rarely tastes bitter from poor brewing conditions. I'm really happy with this tea as I get introduced to the world of delicious loose-leaf teas.
I ordered some tea for my brother-in-law as a get-well gift after a surgery. My sister let me know that Organic Green Mao Jian from Little Red Cup Tea Co. was his favorite. They got the tea to him immediately and the customer service is amazing. Thanks so much!
I bought this order as a birthday gift for someone who is extraordinarily picky about tea. The quality and flavor are superb and the tins are so appreciated!
My regular supplier of Mao Jian stopped carrying it after 15 years. Crisis! Searching online for another organic source, I stumbled upon Little Red Cup Tea. So glad I did. I have my favorite tea again and also get to support a family business in the process. Win-win.
I was in search of a small family owned tea company that offered unusual blends. I found Little Red Cup Tea. From start to sipping, my experience has been heavenly. Mike, the owner, walked me through some blends and make suggestions. Prices are fair. Delivery was speedy and the tea arrived nestled in a carefully packed box. There was even a personalized note. I am such a fan of Little Red Cup.
This tea got very bitter and astringent as it cooled down. I couldn't even finish my cup. I was looking for exactly the opposite. So this tea didn't fit my taste, but it might appeal to someone who likes the bitterness and astringency, or is able to drink the tea fast while it is still hot.
I loved the Yu Lu green tea, and will order that.
This is the perfect tea if you love green tea, but tend to over-steep your tea. Having a toddler, most days I will start a cup of tea and be pulled away for all manner of toddler "emergencies", leaving my tea steeping on the counter. When I return 5-10 minutes later (occasionally, even longer), I know that the Green Mao Jian is not going to be overly bitter and unenjoyable.
Loved it!! So delicious even through a second and third cup. Won’t buy tea from any other place!
Your tea is delicious and always delivered in good shape
I have sampled nearly all of the varieties of green tea from little red cup, and Mao Jian is my favorite, second only to theirGreen Eyebrow. Earthy, light flavor, never bitter, and terrific hot or iced. I have so much regard for this little company and the quality and authenticity of their tea.
Wish I'd ordered more than just a sample, it was such a lovely tea.
Organic Green Mao Jian
The tea is fantastic. The company is even better. They respond quickly to questions. The tins are great. They even include a hand written thank you note in the orders.
I was relativelynew to Little Red Cup when I ordered the Green Mao Jian. The taste was just as it described on the packet. Steeped alone the tea was great; blended and steeped with Pai Mu Tan was another winner.
I am thoroughly enjoying my Green Mao Jian tea! It's a light and refreshing way to begin my day. It's a great product!
Lovely tea. Light, not bitter. My favorite is Jasmine Tea but this is a close second favorite.
We are very much enjoying the green mao jian. Light, bright, crisp, and delicate. Just delicious!
A delicious and mellow tea- no bitterness here! Ordering from a Maine business is a plus and the enclosed handwritten note is always a beautiful personal touch.
Great tasting tea
haven’t tried yet
A very nice mild tea, that might be my new all day drink. A slight sweetness as it cools, and not a touch of bitterness. I expect it to be much more forgiving of dumb brewing mistakes than Green Eyebrow!
I have visited China frequently and the green tea served at business meetings is unlike any tea in the U.S. So imagine how excited I was to try this tea and find it was very close to the real thing! And made in my home state of Maine to boot! I have just placed an order to sample many more of your fine teas. I can’t wait to try them. I am likely to abandon tea bags forever. Thank you!
I love green tea. For years I have had a few cups every morning. I ordered this tea a little while back and it ranks up there as one of my favorite ever. Yes, it is mellow, but it has so much complexity of flavor behind it’s initial subtleties. It is the one that I keep going back to in the mornings more frequently than any of my others. Thank you so much for carrying such fantastic products!
Why Our Tea Is Organic
Tea is among the most heavily treated crops in conventional agriculture. When you steep tea leaves in hot water, you’re making an extraction—and that extraction doesn’t discriminate between flavor compounds and pesticide residues. Every tea we sell meets certified organic standards. Our teas are certified organic by the USDA and MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association), a leading independent organic certifier. This means no synthetic pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, and annual third-party inspections to verify it. We source from worker-owned cooperatives in rural, mountainous regions of China, where traditional growing methods align naturally with organic standards. These aren’t industrial plantations; they’re small farms where people have been growing tea the same way for generations. Healthier soil produces better tea. Plants grown without synthetic chemical inputs develop more complex flavor profiles. You can taste the difference.
