Tea Provinces of China

A comparatively rare tea of mixed black leaves, scented with fresh Longan fruit juice to create an aromatic black tea offering a distinctive sweet, fruity finish. Excellent tea served hot or chilled as iced tea. Brew for 3 minutes at water temperature of 195 degrees.

The taste of this tea is reminiscent of nectar with a rich finish and a lingering sweet aftertaste. Silk Road Teas was the first U.S. tea company to offer this tea. In China, it is called Mei Lan Chun. The plant varietal, known as Mei Zhan, is slow-growing and produces a small harvest. It is easy to brew and does not become bitter with over steeping. The tea is at its best with water temperature well below boiling at 185 – 195 degrees and the leaves will offer multiple infusions.

A Zhejiang Province tea we find each year in the tea markets. Made by true artisans of the leaf, it is fired by hand in a wok–like pan. Broad golden leaves impart a roasted, nutty flavor. It has a distinctive aroma that is fresh, it's gold and green color are very appealing visually and, once cupped, it will definitely satisfy. Steep for 2 minutes at a water temperature of 175 – 185 degrees.

Our Monkey has everything a high–grade Fujian black tea should offer. Careful plucking of leaf and bud, followed by able processing yields a blend of short dark leaves flecked with golden buds. A full–bodied cup offering rich flavors of malt and a wonderful fragrance. This tea can take milk and sugar. Use 2-3 grams of leaf and steep for 2–3 minutes in water just under boiling.

SPECIAL PRICE - Congou, from Fujian Province, is made of small black leaves that are generally uniform, slender and unbroken, mixed with golden color leaf  buds. The flavor is softly sweet, aroma is nuanced. It is light on the tongue and shows some complexity with a hint of malt and, at times, fruit. Brew for 2 – 3 minutes at 195 – 205 degrees.

Each year, our supplier in the Wu Yi Mountains provides us with a new version of this tea. The leaves are very dark, sometimes small and flat, at times thick and curled. Yet be assured, it will be consistent in its flavors of earthy cocoa and light smoke with a rich, red cup color. Steep at water temperature of 185 – 195 degrees for 2 – 3 minutes.

Jade Spring is the clarion announcing that the tea harvest is well underway. Its mix of leaf styles well exemplifies the delicate art of Chinese tea making. Tender, light green colors –– slender buds, beautiful oval-shaped serrated leaves -- will cup to a sweet and light vegetal taste. This tea is a true delight. Excellent served with food. Steep for 2–3 minutes at water temperature of 185 degrees.

Our supplier's family has been making Jasmine teas for generations, choosing high–quality, tender green leaves and buds for our pearls. The leaves are hand rolled and later infused with the essence of fresh Jasmine flowers. The pearls open during brewing to release their pale green liquor. Aromatic and naturally sweet, this is a relaxing tea. Steep at 175 – 185 degrees for 2 minutes and enjoy.

NEW HARVEST TEA - SPECIAL PRICE. In Fujian Province, there are a number of varietals of this classic green. Known both as Mao Feng and White Pekoe, each spring it is a pleasure to seek out those lots that capture the richness of this tea. Curly, dark green vegetal-tasting leaves mix with silvery buds to sweeten the brew. For the green tea lover, this is an excellent everyday tea that will warm you and satisfy. Brew in water temperature of 175–185 degrees for 2 minutes.

A competition grade Tieguanyin Oolong from the An Xi Region of Fujian Province. Our supplier for this tea is well-known for his craftmanship. This tea is lightly oxidized, leaves show shades of green and hints of brown. As the leaves steep, they unfurl and show a serration on their edges as they release a honey–colored liquor with an orchid–like flavor that will linger. Briefly rinse the leaves to awaken them, then steep in water at 185–200 degrees for one minute and taste. This Oolong is very rich and will steep multiple times as the leaves release their complex flavors.

NEW HARVEST - PRICE REDUCED - Considered the finest of the white teas produced in Zhenghe, the center of white tea production in China. The highest quality Yin Zhen's are made from the Sinensis varietal Zhenghe Da Bei Cha and are produced during a two to three day period when the young buds are plucked from the tea plant. Masterfully worked to preserve the elegant needle–shaped leaf with hints of silver and savory aroma, this tea is one for every tea drinker's collection. It goes well most anytime and very well with fresh foods. It is light in caffeine. Steep a heaping teaspoon in water temperature temperature 165–175 degrees for 1 minute.

With warming weather, this tea arrives early in the marketplace. Fresh and fragrant green leaves give off a vegetal aroma that is confident and rich. A visual treat of curled green leaf, white buds and an occasional broad leaf for good measure, this naturally sweet green offers much for the tea enthusiast. A rich green cup color, it is sweet with hints of chestnut. It is a good value as well. Brew this for 2-3 minutes in water at 185 degrees.

NEW HARVEST - SPECIAL PRICE - This green tea is as elegant as its name implies. A soft vegetal taste gives way to a sweetness that lingers. Its leaves are slender, uniform in size and curved shape, all in shades of dark green with silver sheen. It will cup three times as the leaf has body. From Fujian Province, this is an excellent green tea value. Steep for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes in water temperature of 175 – 185 degrees.

NEW HARVEST - SPECIAL PRICE - Our White Peony is harvested and processed from the first pluckings of spring. We buy this tea mindful of time, its leaves should be a certain size and offer a mix of light and darker greens and silver buds to create its nuanced and sweet taste. Traditionally processed by withering and air drying, the blend of leaf colors will yield a clear yellow cup color and multiple tastes of melon, grape and herbs. Be generous with the leaf, probably a heaping tablespoon and steep it in water temperature of 170–185 degrees for 2 -4 minutes.