Tea

Tea- Black Tea (Not Smoked)
Harvest – Spring 2024
Origin – Tongmuguan, Wuyishan

This black tea comes from Tongmuguan, a remote and pristine part of the Wuyi Mountains, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated at a much higher altitude than other areas of Wuyi and surrounded by forests, Tongmuguan provides a special environment for tea cultivation.

This tea is grown in the yesheng, or “wild growing” style, referring not to truly wild plants, but to the natural style of cultivation. The tea trees are grown without the close pruning and organized rows typical of big farms. Instead, they are allowed to grow more freely, resulting in irregular shapes and more biodiversity.

While the area is traditionally known for smoked version (often called Lapsang Souchong in the west), this version is made from high-quality leaves dried without smoke. The result is a pure expression of the tea, showcasing the character of Xiaozhong with full clarity.

This tea is called a 大赤甘 (da chi gan) meaning it was picked after the leaves open. The flavor profile is very balanced, with a rich but delicate sweetness. Unlike many Chinese black teas which can be heavy, malty, or even cloying, this tea is lighter in color and fragrance, leaning instead toward woody notes with a cozy but also a clean and refreshing taste and smooth mouth feel.

I don’t drink black tea often but I have to say I really enjoy this one whenever I brew it.

Price is for 50 g.