Oriental Beauty Oolong

$15.00

This tea derives its fruity flavor and floral bouquet through a special process; the elegant and plum-sweet character actually originates from before plucking. When the tea green leafhopper insect nibbles on the buds, the tender leaves are exposed to air and begin to oxidize while still growing on the plant. The natural aroma of tea repels the leaf hopper which jumps onto another bush. We then carefully monitor and handpick each bitten bud and leaf at just the right moment, which forms the base for our Oriental Beauty.

This year’s flush produces a liquor that is medium-heavy bodied and honey sweet. Honeyed notes are the characteristic flavor of bitten tea. To draw out the best of the sweet and fruity tones of this leaf, we suggest using 90°c water at around a minute maximum the first two steeps, gradually increasing steep time by thirty seconds of so from the third cup onward.

Because the lush, fruity flavors depend on the leafhopper's visit to the gardens, this tea is very rare and exceptionally difficult to harvest in consistent quantities year by year. It is also grown organically, as sprays and other types of pesticides would actually lower the harvest.

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