Que She (Sparrow’s Tongue) (雀舌)

tea imagery: Sparrow on a branch

Que She, or “Sparrow’s Tongue”, is a name used for several Chinese teas. This entry covers the green tea from Jintan in Jiangsu: small, flat, pointed leaves and a fresh vegetal taste, sometimes with floral and chestnut notes.

History

Jintan Que She comes from tea-growing areas around Maoshan, particularly Xuebu. Its name compares the young leaves’ shape to a sparrow’s tongue. When buying, look for the full name 金坛雀舌, the producer and harvest date: “Que She” alone does not identify the origin. A small pack is a useful first purchase, giving you time to finish it while the aroma is fresh.

The sparrow in our illustration refers directly to the tea’s name. Compare the dry leaves with the opened buds and leaves after brewing: the tongue-like shape is easier to see before they unfold.

Terroir

Jintan, Changzhou, Jiangsu; the Maoshan area, including Xuebu. Low hills; ask the producer for a particular garden’s elevation. Soil composition varies between plots. Humid southern Jiangsu climate with distinct seasons. Check where and when the tea was picked. Other regions also use this name for a leaf shape.

Leaf

dry leaf: Small, flat, fairly straight green leaves with pointed tips.

aroma in a warmed vessel: Fresh greens; some batches suggest chestnuts or flowers.

aroma after brewing: Young leaves with a gentle toasted or floral note.

taste: Fresh green notes, sometimes with a hint of chestnut and a little sweetness.

finish: Taste the liquor as it cools a little: freshness and astringency become easier to judge.

Properties

Traditional descriptions: Traditional descriptions classify green tea as “cooling”.

What to know: Adjust strength through the amount of leaf and brewing time. These are more useful guides than the size of the dry leaves.

Over a cup of tea: A small cup with breakfast or during a daytime break.

Caffeine: Contains caffeine; the amount in a cup depends on the batch and brewing method.

How to brew

A 200 ml teapot or filter mug that lets you separate all the liquor from the leaves. 3 g per 200 ml at 85 °C. Try 90 °C if the flavour is weak. Time for each infusion: 60 s, 90 s, 120 s.

When to drink

Morning or daytime. Year-round; fresh spring batches are especially interesting to compare. When you want a light green tea. Young vegetables or steamed fish; taste the tea on its own first. With breakfast or during a short break

What to notice

Look at the tips of the dry leaves.
Find the leaves that have opened after brewing.
Compare the hot liquor with a slightly cooled sip.

Questions and answers

How do you brew Que She (Sparrow’s Tongue)?

A 200 ml teapot or filter mug that lets you separate all the liquor from the leaves. 3 g per 200 ml at 85 °C. Try 90 °C if the flavour is weak. Time for each infusion: 60 s, 90 s, 120 s.

What does Que She (Sparrow’s Tongue) taste like?

Fresh green notes, sometimes with a hint of chestnut and a little sweetness.

How much caffeine is in Que She (Sparrow’s Tongue)?

Contains caffeine; the amount in a cup depends on the batch and brewing method.

What else should I know about Que She (Sparrow’s Tongue)?

Adjust strength through the amount of leaf and brewing time. These are more useful guides than the size of the dry leaves.