Somewhat similar to an Oriental Beauty oolong tea, this black tea from northern Taiwan in the San Xia region near Taipei was plucked from bug-bitten spring buds. The leaves themselves are plucked from the Qing Xin Gan Zi varietal, which is somewhat smaller and more delicate than most of the island’s main oolong varietals. The tea leaves are nibbled on by tiny green insects called jassids, which causes them to release more amino acids and terrapins into the brewed tea and lends it its distinct honey-like taste. We find this to be an elegantly balanced black tea, not too heavy with clear notes of honey and chrysanthemum blossoms. There is a sweet malty character which is not overbearing, as we often find it to be in black teas of this style.

Origin - San Xia, Taiwan

Harvest - Spring ‘24

Cultivar - Ching Xin Gan Zhi

Tastes Like - Honey, Chrysanthemum Blossoms, Sweet Malts

Sold in one ounce increments