China
Ti Guan Yin – The Iron Goddess of Compassion
Named for the Chinese Bodhisattva of Compassion Guan Yin, this favorite Chinese oolong has a transcendent flavor. A mouthful of dewy flowers, a heart-opening bouquet of floral forgiveness, its aroma is often likened to the scent of mandarin orchards in full bloom. A dark green-blue leaf pressed into a ball shape opens slowly, giving infusion after infusion of subtly changing flavor. A peace settles in the soul with every sip. We offer the best grade from the highest category of semi-oxidized teas in Fujian, a tea celebrated by poets, monks, and tea-lovers all over the world.
Phoenix Bird – Feng Huang Dan Cong
This highly prized oolong grown amongst fruit trees, has a mysteriously sweet, fruity flavor comparable to grapefruit or apricot. It is grown only in Northeast Guandong Province in the valleys below the Phoenix Bird Mountain, Mount Feng Huang. This tea is made from large leaves from tea bushes that grow like a tree. From the variety of Dan Cong teas, we chose this Mi (honey) Lan (orchid) variety.
Duck Sh*t Oolong
The story of the name comes from the desire of farmers to hide the discovery of a new tea cultivar by calling it Duck Sh*t in hopes that other farmers would pass by this valuable and delicious tea. Enjoy this unique tea from the gardens of southern China’s Phoenix Mountains. With exceptionally long brown-green leaves curled into loose spirals, this tea produces a lovely orange colored brew with a honey almond taste and a scent of honeysuckle.
Shui Xian
This tea is known as “water nymph” or “narcissus,” named after the narcissus flowers in the port of Quanzhou from where it was originally exported. This cheering drink has a distinctive, warming aroma and a voluptuous taste that leaves a slightly nutty sweetness on the lips. Long leaves are wilted and hand-rolled into murky dark green s-shapes, which unravel to produce copper-colored infusions laden with the ephemeral playfulness of fairy spirits. Seductive, this variety will cause the tea-drinker to gaze off into the teacup in blissful meditation.
Big Red Robe – Da Hong Pao
A legendary oolong from the Wuyi Mountains. This roasted, honeyed oolong has a flavor that lingers on the pallet long after finishing the last drop. In the legend of Da Hong Pao, hundreds of years ago, a very ill nobleman was lost and wandering through the Wuyi Mountains when he came upon a village. The gracious villagers fed him a brew made from the leaves of a special tree. He quickly regained his health and strength and was so impressed by the healing properties of the tree that he took off his brilliant red robe and hung it on the tree to indicate its power.
Black Dragon – Wulong
Dark green-brown leaves yield infusions of rich amber liqueur, with a bittersweet taste that boasts of rye-bread or roasted nuts. An aroma and aftertaste of caramel soothes the palette and makes this tea a suitable accompaniment to desserts and snacks.
Taiwan
Taiwan's island population includes many who fled from mainland China in 1949, bringing with them family belongings, souvenirs of the glorious days under Chiang Kai-Shek, and often the knowledge of their native province's tea processing techniques. Their ideals of motivation and meticulousness produce the flavors that make us proud to offer the following exceptional Taiwanese teas.
Tung Ting – Frozen Summit
Tung Ting is a flowery, slightly oxidized tea and is among Taiwan’s most famous oolongs. This vibrant and lilting variety dances with notes of lilac and juniper and is imported directly from the bright slopes of the Tung Ting Mountains often enshrouded in mist.
Milk Oolong – Jin Xuan
This particular Jin Xuan is harvested at an altitude of 5000 feet in the Ali Shan. In the high mountain tea gardens, weather conditions offer plenty of fog and lower temperatures which are ideal for producing the best oolong tea. Ali Shan oolongs offer a sweet fragrance with buttery notes and floral undertones. Enjoy it as the sun is just peaking through the mountains on a fine summer morning.
Bai Hao – Oriental Beauty
Bai Hao is a darker oolong, and typical of this type, sweet and nicely rounded. A Taiwanese original, it is the superior class of semi-oxidized teas with a higher degree of oxidation and a great abundance of white tips.
Bao Zhong
From the Pingling Gardens in Taiwan, this fine lightly oxidized oolong is characterized by long, thin leaves. After a very short oxidation it is wrapped in cotton fabric and dried by roasting. A comforting tea with a crisp, golden infusion and fresh green taste.