Deciphering the unique varietal character of Lu’an Guapian green tea processed from the elite cultivar ‘Jinyu 1’

Varietal character is a key factor in determining the flavor and quality of tea. Lu’an Guapian (LAGP) is a historical Chinese green tea, yet it lacks a representative elite cultivar. To address this, we explored the varietal characteristics of LAGP processed from the recently bred elite cultivar ‘Jinyu 1’ (JY1). Using molecular sensory science and metabolomics, we analyzed its volatile and non-volatile compounds. LAGP possessed from JY1 presents a unique flavor, with floral, coconut-like, and citrus-like aromas, along with a fresh and mellow taste. This aroma was attributed to high contents of (Z) -jasmone, decanal, 1-nonanol, methyl jasmonate, δ -decalactone, β -ionone, geraniol and jasmine lactone. High levels of theanine and a low content of bitter amino acids contribute to its taste. This study confirms that JY1 is a high-quality source material for producing premium-grade LAGP, highlighting the critical role of cultivars in enhancing tea quality and market competitiveness.