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Portraits of Teas
Portraits of Teas
Different teas require different articles. From Taiwanese Oolongs to Japanese Gyokuro. Discover with us the various faces and flavours of teas.
Flowers & Tea
When skillfully infused with tea, flowers create spectacular infusions with rich aromas and complex flavours, transporting us to vibrant gardens and serene meadows. Join us on a journey through the enchanting world of flower teas, from classics like scented jasmine pearls and osmanthus oolong to blooming tea and traditional blends like Eight Treasures. Discover lesser-known delights such as sakura sencha from Japan, lotus green tea from Vietnam, rare gems like banana shrub oolong from Taiwan, and even Camellia sinensis flower itself.
South Korean Teas and Experiences in Europe
Korean teas, steeped in centuries of history and culture, offer a diverse array of flavours and health benefits. From the intricate rituals of the Korean tea ceremony to the everyday enjoyment of various herbal and green teas, the world of Korean teas is as rich and complex as the country's history itself.
A Short Guide to Spring Tea
In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the must-try spring teas, from the esteemed pre-Qingming to the coveted first flush, shincha and woojeon. Join us as we delve into the first buds from the tea regions of China, Japan, India, Nepal, South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan discovering the diverse flavours and traditions that define each unique infusion.
Japanese Jade Dew: Gyokuro
ABOUT
- English name: Jade Dew
- Japanese name: Gyokuro (玉露)
- Origin: Kyoto Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, etc.
- Type of tea: Green (shaded; steamed)
- Plucking standard: top of the plant picked in spring
- Aroma profile: fresh, grassy, hints of seaweed
- Flavour profile: rich in umami, with a backdrop of vegetal sweetness and seaweed
- Liquor: cloudy, bright green
- Dry leaf: needle shape with deep green-blue reflections
- English name: Jade Dew
- Japanese name: Gyokuro (玉露)
- Origin: Kyoto Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, etc.
- Type of tea: Green (shaded; steamed)
- Plucking standard: top of the plant picked in spring
- Aroma profile: fresh, grassy, hints of seaweed
- Flavour profile: rich in umami, with a backdrop of vegetal sweetness and seaweed
- Liquor: cloudy, bright green
- Dry leaf: needle shape with deep green-blue reflections
Portraits of Oolongs: 烏龍茶
ABOUT
- English name: Oolong, Blue Tea (French, thé bleu), Black Dragon, Turquoise Tea (Qing-cha; 请茶; referring to lighter oxidised oolongs in ancient China)
- Chinese name: Wulong (traditional 烏龍; simplified 乌龙; wūlóng)
- Origin: China, Fujian Province (福建; Anxi and Wuyi), Guangdong Province (广东), Taiwan island (台湾). Nowadays, a lot of other tea producing countries also make oolong.
- Type of tea: Semi-oxidised
NORTHERN FUJIAN: WUYI
SOUTHERN FUJIAN: ANXI, QUANZHOU
GUANGDONG: PHOENIX MOUNTAINS
TAIWAN
- English name: Oolong, Blue Tea (French, thé bleu), Black Dragon, Turquoise Tea (Qing-cha; 请茶; referring to lighter oxidised oolongs in ancient China)
- Chinese name: Wulong (traditional 烏龍; simplified 乌龙; wūlóng)
- Origin: China, Fujian Province (福建; Anxi and Wuyi), Guangdong Province (广东), Taiwan island (台湾). Nowadays, a lot of other tea producing countries also make oolong.
- Type of tea: Semi-oxidised
NORTHERN FUJIAN: WUYI
SOUTHERN FUJIAN: ANXI, QUANZHOU
GUANGDONG: PHOENIX MOUNTAINS
TAIWAN
Xinhui Puerh (Ganpu Cha): Mandarin Tea
ABOUT
- English name: Mandarin Post-Fermented Tea; Xinhui Mandarin Puerh
- Chinese name: Xinhui Puerh; Xiao Qing Gan (小青柑); Ganpu Cha (柑普茶)
- Origin: Xinhui District, Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, China
- Type of tea: Dark (post-fermented)
- Other countries that also produce Ganpu style tea: Vietnam, Taiwan (Pomelo Puerh, You Zi Cha) South Korea (black tea suffed in a yuzu fruit)
- Aroma profile: oak, moss, mandarin, pine, perfume
- Flavour profile: velvety and smooth texture, earthy, nutty, sweet and citrusy acidity
- English name: Mandarin Post-Fermented Tea; Xinhui Mandarin Puerh
- Chinese name: Xinhui Puerh; Xiao Qing Gan (小青柑); Ganpu Cha (柑普茶)
- Origin: Xinhui District, Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, China
- Type of tea: Dark (post-fermented)
- Other countries that also produce Ganpu style tea: Vietnam, Taiwan (Pomelo Puerh, You Zi Cha) South Korea (black tea suffed in a yuzu fruit)
- Aroma profile: oak, moss, mandarin, pine, perfume
- Flavour profile: velvety and smooth texture, earthy, nutty, sweet and citrusy acidity
Introduction to Silver Needle or Bai Hao Yin Zhen (白毫銀針) - White Tea
ABOUT
English name: White Hair Silver Needle
Chinese name: Bai Hao Yin Zhen (báiháo yínzhēn, 白毫銀針)
Origin: Fujian Province, China
Type of tea: White
Plucking standard: Only buds
Other countries that now also produce Silver Needle style tea: Kenya, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, etc.
Aroma profile: floral, honey-sweet, herbaceous fine fragrance
Flavour profile: delicate, sweet, floral, herbal with a potential for deep complexity
English name: White Hair Silver Needle
Chinese name: Bai Hao Yin Zhen (báiháo yínzhēn, 白毫銀針)
Origin: Fujian Province, China
Type of tea: White
Plucking standard: Only buds
Other countries that now also produce Silver Needle style tea: Kenya, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, etc.
Aroma profile: floral, honey-sweet, herbaceous fine fragrance
Flavour profile: delicate, sweet, floral, herbal with a potential for deep complexity
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