Leaves from the large-leaf variety "da ye zhong" 大叶种 (Assamica) from ancient "Gu Shu" trees 100-300 years old (estimated only). Yunnan red tea "Dian Hong" (black tea), early spring harvest 2025 on the outskirts of Qiong Ying 琼英村 town in Fengqing, Yunnan Province, China. Early annual harvest, with an earthy and delicate profile, low astringency and a great balance of flavors between sweetness, light bitterness and occasionally sour finish. Naturally grown without pesticides or fertilizers at all (uncertified organic).
A grower we started working with last year, this is his first tea to outside China. His specialty is aging, and the area where he lives in Fengqing at an altitude of 2,600m is one of the highest in the world of tea (only in Taiwan and India have we tasted tea from higher mountains), a particularly fascinating micro-terroir for aging tea.
Classic Dian Hong production using the traditional high oxidation method, rolling and machine drying - which excites us very much, an area we have not known enough to date.
Since this is a new farmer for us, we tested for 554 pesticide residues, molds and fungi. Needless to say, the tests came back negative, otherwise the tea would not be here :) Later, with a different raw material, we will also test the soil compound, to try and detect the use of fertilizers and heavy metal residues, but with such clean enviorenment and high-quality raw material, it is highly unlikely that anything will be found.
An accessible and comforting everyday tea for the winter season. Suitable for all levels, intended for drinking all year round at all hours of the day.