GABA tea, known in Chinese as Jia Ye Long Tea or Smooth Tea, is a functional tea product.

Its key component is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

GABA is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human body.

In simple terms, it helps calm the nervous system, promotes relaxation, supports digestive function, and contributes to blood pressure regulation.

During tea processing, the higher the glutamate (an amino acid) content in the leaves,

the more gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can be produced.

Under normal oxygen-rich conditions, glutamate is converted into succinate and continues to participate in cellular respiration.

However, in an oxygen-free (anaerobic) environment, this pathway is suppressed, leading to the accumulation of GABA within plant tissues.

In the image, noticeable moisture exudation from the tea leaves can be observed.

This occurs because oxygen must be expelled during anaerobic fermentation,

and water is simultaneously forced out from the leaf tissues.

Freshly produced GABA tea has a distinctive aroma, and individual preferences may vary.

With extended storage or aging, the aroma gradually becomes more mellow and rounded.

From the beginning, GABA tea is naturally low in bitterness and astringency -

a defining characteristic that gives it the name “Smooth Tea.”