Green Tea
China's green teas are notable for their seemingly endless varieties, artistically-shaped leaves and clean fresh flavors. In the first days of spring, tender new buds and leaves emerge producing the highest grade teas of the Chinese harvest. These teas are known as Pre-Qing Ming or before the "Clear Light Festival" teas. The next pick or "plucking" of high-grade teas occurs between that festival and the onset of the spring rains, while the leaves are still small and tender. A warm, sunny day in late March into mid- April signals these "before the rain" teas will arrive in tea market the next day.
The highest grades are plucked and processed by hand using methods developed over hundreds if not thousands of years. The quantity of green teas that are harvested in this early spring period is comparatively small in light of what China harvests each year. Comprising perhaps 10 percent of China's annual green tea harvest, this "early" leaf is precious and short-lived in the marketplace. Their delicious flavors and striking aromas are celebrated and lots sell quickly. Most of these teas, in fact, never leave China.
At the same time, China is always a robust marketplace and farmers who produced these wonderful teas can be found and purchases made. It is these annual marketplace meetings and visits to known sources that provide Silk Road Teas the lion share of its new teas.
Our green teas are all early spring picks. You will see a well-crafted appearance and, with tasting, teas with pronounced characteristics. The tea we taste in the marketplace and bring home to our customers will engage and delight the senses. When brewed properly, our green tea is a real luxury. These teas offer freshness, a range of tastes and an uplifting energy not typically found in other teas.
