2012 Harvest News
The 2012 harvest in China was slow once again in arrival to the tea markets. By late March, the word from China was cautious, advising us to wait a week or so for the new teas. We listened, pondered the advice and then decided to travel, arriving in China March 31st. There are always some interesting, early-pick greens in the markets no matter what the weather conditions.
Like many places in the world, the provinces forming the southeastern portion of the country (China's tea basket), experienced colder weather in the late winter months into March and extreme patterns of rainfall and cold air. What is so interesting with tea is that each year (at least for teas that are not produced as large commercial lots or "standard" blended lots), each harvest offers a unique taste reflecting the season's varying weather conditions. In other words, the elements the tea bushes grow through will yield a new taste reflecting these new conditions. As tea purveyors and tea drinkers, we are the beneficiaries of this on-going adaptation of plant to environment.
We have found some wonderful new teas. Some new varietals that we have not offered previously, some teas you have not seen for a few years and, of course, there are some teas that we could not find as the tea market in China is always changing and re-inventing itself!
Next week - the week of May 7 - we will be offering the first of our "new arrivals" for the 2012 harvest. These are pre-Qing Ming, early-pick, highest grade whites, greens and a few blacks. Keep an eye posted and we hope you enjoy these wonderful new 2012 harvest offerings!
