April 2024 harvest.

Sometimes, mistakes happen and the end result brings great satisfaction. So it was with the arrival of our Yunnan Gold, mis-shipped to us by one of our suppliers. This is one of the best black tea surprises that we could have hoped for.

Upon opening the crate, we were hit with the fruitiest aroma from a Yunnan-grown black tea we’ve ever experienced. This tea in its dry form, captivates the olfactory system from the get-go! We half expected the fruitiness to overpower the maltier side of the flavor once brewed, but that is not the case here. There is a perfect balance between the two and the thick tea liquor lies full on the tongue.

Feng Qing area black teas are some of our favorites, for sure, but this one is distinct. It’s mellow, sweet, a bit floral, malty, round, thick and oh, so satisfying. No need to add sweetener here, with hardly any tannic edge or bite. It would handle milk or cream very well but we highly recommend sipping it on its own first so you may enjoy the spicy smooth aroma with the floral overtones and hint of citrus, too!

The leaves are grown cleanly, with no sprays in a remote environment, far from big cities so you know it’s pure, the leaves nourished by healthy soil and the mist that shrouds the mountains there. This is loose leaf black tea at its best, sure to satisfy both morning and after-dinner tea drinkers. The perfect black tea to gift friends or family.

This one, like many Yunnan grown black teas, will taste incredible at 3 to 5 years of age, so stock up!