Chinese Tea

4 tins (approx. 35g each) of teas from the following black teas, depending upon seasonal availability: TP12: Premium China Keemun, TD50: No.1 Tippy Orthodox GFOP Darjeeling, ZY51: China Yunnan TGFOP, TB10: Bond Street English Breakfast Blend, ZK11: China Keemun First Grade or TB51: East Frisian BOP Assam Tea. These 4 tea selections are representative of a wide range of fine black teas.

Please note that Sampler Sets cannot be personalized.

Please note that the 4 teas in this sampler set will vary according to the season.

With its rich flavor profile and smooth mouth feel, this standard grade Keemun represents a great value for a China black tea. Hints of wine and a suggestion of smoke round out the earthy, full-bodied cup.

4 tins (approx. 35g each) of teas from the following green teas, depending upon seasonal availability: ZG30: Special Grade Temple of Heaven Gunpowder Green, ZG18: Chun Mee Moon Palace Organic, ZG07: Season's Pick China Sencha Organic, ZG10: Young Hyson, ZG71: Lung Ching Green Superfine, or ZG02: Season's Pick Young Hyson.

Please note that Sampler Sets cannot be personalized.

Please note that the 4 teas in this sampler set will vary according to the season.

The dark brown leaves of this selection are accented with golden tips. Rich, earthy notes are present in the aroma and dark amber cup, and hints of white pepper and cassia add a pleasing accent. The smooth finish has a light tangy feel.

Blended especially for Upton Tea Imports, this tea is a pleasing and subtly complex variation on a rich, smoky classic. The perfect gift for the Lapsang Souchong drinker who seeks a less smoky cup.

This Guangdong province specialty is a lovely Oolong tea, scented with magnolia flowers. Alternately known as Orchid Oolong, or Yu Lan, this selection is a must try for those who appreciate a fine scented tea. The flavor nuances are unique, but hints of jasmine lend a recognizable character.

The loosely rolled leaves of this finest grade of China Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong produce a pale golden cup with a full, buttery mouth feel. A sweet, floral fragrance introduces notes of dried fruit and a hint of honeysuckle in the flavor. The finish lingers with a light toastiness.

This leaf format Pu-Erh yields a dark liquor with strong earthy notes in the traditional style. A good value for this Yunnan classic.

This organic selection is produced via the careful processing of quality green tea with fragrant jasmine blossoms. The result is a mildly pungent tea with a pleasant aroma and delicate jasmine essence. The liquor has a pleasingly rich taste.

This fine Jasmine selection produces an amber gold cup with a rich, full mouth feel. The flavor showcases a perfect balance between the base tea and its meticulous jasmine scenting. Light floral notes are highlighted by a hint of sweetness that lingers into the finish.

Chung-Hao Jasmine belongs to the same series of China Jasmine tea as Yin-Hao, but is less expensive. Delicate silver tips adorn the well-made leaves, producing a light, refreshing cup redolent with the heady fragrance of jasmine blossoms. A rich sweetness blooms and lingers into the finish.

The wiry, ebony-brown leaves of this premium Congou black tea from Fujian province produce a very dark amber liquor with an enticing cocoa aroma. The smooth, rich cup tastes of premium dark chocolate accented by a whisper of spice. The finish is long and lingering with nuances of toffee. This decadent treat is the perfect accompaniment to dessert.

A special grade of organic white tea, this Pai Mu Tan (Bai Mu Dan) selection has a full complement of tender leaf buds. The dark golden cup is well-balanced with an earthy, herbaceous aroma. The bolder leaf style yields a liquor with full flavor and subtle hints of melon and spice.

This organic tea has the bold flavor of a high-fired tea, yet it has a pleasing smoothness with delicate sweetness. The thin, well-twisted leaves produce a liquor with a pale green color. This is a very popular style of China green tea with a bolder leaf.

One of the finest China green teas is Lung Ching (Dragon Well). The liquor is pale yellow, slightly sweet, and very refreshing.

A pronounced aroma and flavor of rich melted chocolate distinguishes this outstanding black tea selection from Yunnan province. A profusion of downy golden buds yields a dark amber cup with a rounded, velvety smooth mouth feel and caramel-like sweetness. The finish lingers with dark, bittersweet notes of malt and cherry, reminiscent of a Porter beer. A staff favorite. Small lot with limited availability.

With a tea growing history of over 900 years, the Bulang Mountain range of Yunnan province includes some of the most prized Pu-Erh production regions. The aroma reveals a woody/toasty/sweet earthy complexity, complemented by hints of cocoa. The velvety smooth, rounded cup is dark and rich with notes of molasses, chestnut and a hint of spice. The clean finish lingers with nuances of cinnamon and clove. Produced from a large-leaf varietal, this 4 ½ inch diameter round tea cake weighs approximately 95-100 grams and comes packaged in our silver packet.

An outstanding Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong selection, with an appealing floral intensity. The attractive, olive-green leaves produce a fragrant, pale gold infusion with a buttery smooth mouth feel. Orchid/lilac notes are prominent in both the flavor and aroma, as well as a hint of honey sweetness.

This unique black tea offering, “Zi Juan,” meaning “purple beauty,” originates from a purple bud varietal that was developed at the Menghai Research Station in Yunnan province. The purple-brown leaves have been loosely rolled and produce a dark amber liquor with a pronounced stone fruit aroma. The cup is smooth and sweet with a jammy/juicy character that hints of red wine. A suggestion of almond/nutty nuances leads to a clean finish.

A rare tea of Hunan province, this yellow tea has been masterfully handcrafted into elegantly long, twisted leaves decorated by an abundance of downy golden tips. The intoxicating aroma is ripe with the fragrance of fresh fruit and nectar, enhanced by a sugary sweetness. Notes of melon, peach and sweet apple lend a rich honeyed character to the medium-bodied, amber-gold cup. The finish is bright and uplifting with hints of warming spice. An exceptional offering that has quickly become a staff favorite. Small lot with limited availability.

Produced in the mountainous region of Zhejiang province, this distinguished organic selection represents an especially good value in Lung Ching tea. Hand-processed leaves are fashioned into flat, yellow-green leaf sets, yielding a flavorful cup with a sweet character and buttery smooth mouth feel. The aroma is fragrant with nutty notes and a light floral hint.

The dry leaves of this top-quality Oolong offering are fragrant and expertly rolled, producing a sparkling gold liquor with a sweet floral aroma. Notes of orchid are complemented by a buttery mouth feel in the silky smooth cup. Hints of honey lend a richness to the lingering finish. This tea is a great choice for multiple steepings.

Very bold, handcrafted leaves produce a rich, full-bodied cup in this classic dark Oolong offering from Fujian province. The aroma is honey sweet and toasty with hints of oak and spice. The blonde-amber liquor has a velvety smooth mouth feel, which embraces layers of rich toastiness, crisp stone fruit, and cedar nuances. A mellow woodsy sweetness lingers in the finish. A great value for a premium Fine Grade Oolong.

This high-grown Yunnan is a great value of excellent quality. The rich, earthy cup exhibits brisk flavor with a full mouth feel, complemented by inviting hints of honey, cocoa and spice.

With a light oxidation level of less than 20%, this premium Oolong is produced in Anxi county of Fujian province. The name Huang Jin Gui translates to golden osmanthus, referring to the cup's light gold hue and osmanthus-like aroma and flavor.

A fine complement of golden tips sets this stylish selection apart. The flavor has classic Burgundy-like Keemun notes, with subtle smokiness and a hint of cocoa. This one comes close to the Hao-Ya 'A' Keemun of days past.

A light sprinkling of golden tips adorns the glossy dark brown leaves in this stunning Mao Feng selection. The copper ruby cup exhibits a complex aroma and flavor with rich notes of earth, wine, and smoke. A hint of spice in the finish complements the silky sweet character.

Silver downy tea buds have been expertly scented with jasmine, lending a sweet perfumed essence to this distinctive selection from Fujian province. The white tea base adds a light savory body to the pale straw-colored infusion. Gentle floral notes in the cup complement the herbaceous melon notes of the white tea. Hints of honey lead to a delicate, lingering finish.

Shou Pu-Erh tea leaves are crafted by hand into medium pearl shapes, which yield a thick, rich cup with an earthy character. The aroma is fragrant with hints of sweet toffee. Cocoa notes lead to a smooth finish, hinting of spice. Each 1.25" pearl will yield approximately 3-4 cups of tea. This selection is perfect for multiple steepings.

Dark olive-green leaves have been rolled into tight spiral shapes to create this premium green snail tea offering from Yunnan province. An aroma reminiscent of sweet tobacco imparts an interesting counterpoint to the classic fruity flavor profile of a Yunnan green tea. The mouth feel is full and buttery smooth with a lingering finish that whispers of spice. This premium selection is the perfect choice for those looking for a less vegetal Chinese loose leaf green tea.

An impressive mélange of silver-sage buds and light olive-green leaves are showcased in this special lot of “White Peony” China white tea. The pale straw-gold liquor is redolent with pronounced honey notes and buttery floral hints, which spill over into the mouth-filling flavor. The silky smooth cup hints of melon, which lingers into the finish, complemented by a refreshing crispness reminiscent of dry white wine.

The best China Lapsang Souchong we have found. To our knowledge, we are the only importer of this grade of Lapsang Souchong tea. Superior in flavor. Very smoky, yet quite mellow.

A mélange of China Bohea and Congou black teas creates this hearty breakfast blend, perfect for your morning cup. Notes of earth and red wine are complemented by a toffee sweetness in the fragrant aroma. The dynamic flavor profile features notes of earth, semi-sweet cocoa, and oak Burgundy, enveloped by a rich syrupy dark sweetness that lingers into the finish.

4 tins (approx. 35g each) of teas from the following Oolongs, depending upon seasonal availability: ZO55: Roasted Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong, ZO10: China Oolong Se Chung, ZO20: Roasted Oolong, ZO82: Floral Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong, or ZO88: Tie-Guan-Yin Special Grade.

Please note that Sampler Sets cannot be personalized.

Please note that the 4 teas in this sampler set will vary according to the season.

A plethora of downy golden tips decorates long, twisted leaves in this superb China black tea selection from Yunnan province. The aroma is fragrant with the sharp, sweet scent of spiced cocoa. The velvety smooth cup is rich and chocolatey with an enduring dark molasses sweetness. The finish lingers with a warming kick. A great selection for a cold winter day.

This selection is handcrafted from a bold-leaf Yunnan varietal. The dry leaves are tightly rolled into a spiral snail shape, dark in color, with golden tip accents. The smooth cup is rich and full-bodied with notes of bittersweet cocoa and carob, as well as the classic Yunnan spice hints.

Dark olive-green leaves are loosely rolled and enhanced with natural honey flavoring in this unique Chinese Oolong offering. The aroma is redolent with pronounced buttery honey notes, complemented by hints of apricot. The pale golden cup blooms with prominent notes of honey and flowers, sweetened with hints of stone fruit. The finish is smooth and lingering.

Often called the Burgundy of China teas, this North China Congou is rich, flavorful and appropriate for any time of day. We offer this as our basic Keemun, although it is in the middle range of the standard series.

This rare offering is produced from carefully selected leaf sets, consisting of buds and tender first-leaf sets. It is then scented with the highest quality jasmine blossoms, which are later painstakingly removed to ensure that the quality of the leaf is represented in the cup.

This grade of Gunpowder tea is produced from fine, organic China green tea that is painstakingly processed into loosely rolled "pearls." The finished product is a tea with rich flavor, balanced pungency, and the smoky tones one would expect from a quality Gunpowder.

This superior China black tea is a great after-dinner tea. Stands up nicely to milk; delectable plain. (Our original China Yunnan, introduced as item TP50.)

Rated a top tea region since the Tang Dynasty, Hubei province produces this remarkable black tea, a special grade of Keemun. A sweet aroma reveals hints of cocoa, tobacco and Burgundy. The full-bodied cup is rich and winey with hints of spice and a biscuit toastiness. The finish is smooth with a gentle oak nuance.

This high-grade Gunpowder tea is rich and full-bodied with a pronounced sweetness. A hint of tobacco complements the herbaceous flavor and lingers into the finish.

This tea is the perfect choice to enjoy with a spoonful of our Tupelo Honey.

Very rare, this exotic tea is the most distinguished of all white teas. The silver-leaf tea buds yield a naturally sweet, complex, and delicate tea.

This tea begins as a classic, medium-oxidized Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong, processed in the traditional style. It is finished and cured with a slow firing in bamboo baskets over a charcoal fire. The result is a tea with smooth, rich and inviting character.

Select fine pluckings (two leaves and a bud), scented with the finest jasmine flowers and tightly rolled into pearl-sized spheres. A rare treat for Jasmine tea lovers.

Tightly rolled leaf bud sets scented with an alluring fruity nuance. This is a more affordable alternative to our extremely popular Dragon Phoenix Pearl.

Brown/green leaves and silvery buds yield a light golden-amber infusion with a sweet, toasty aroma. The smooth, full-bodied cup has notes of honey and melon as well as some toasty hints.

The choicest of the standard grades of Jasmine tea. Delicate flavor with a natural sweetness that is enhanced by the sublime aroma of the finest jasmine flowers.

An organic silver-tip green tea was scented with fresh, organic jasmine blossoms, creating this delightful tea. The cup aroma is candy sweet and redolent with the sublime scent of jasmine. The liquor is smooth and well balanced, with a pleasing level of jasmine flavor that lingers into the finish.

With a tea growing history of over 900 years, the Bulang Mountain range of Yunnan province includes some of the most prized Pu-Erh production regions. In the pale rosy-amber cup, a complex aroma introduces notes of earth and fleeting whispers of fruit and smoke. The flavor is rich with pronounced stone fruit notes of plum and apricot wrapped in honey sweetness, a mouth-filling nectar-like quality. Produced from a large-leaf varietal, this 4 ½ inch diameter round tea cake weighs approximately 95-100 grams and comes packaged in our silver packet.

Officially the top grade of China Keemun, this grade has always been produced in limited supply. A top lot for the Keemun connoisseur.

Superior grade of green tea in the style of gunpowder teas (tightly rolled tea leaves resembling gunpowder pellets).

This selection is a mixture of Shou Pu-Erh and the Nuo Mi Xiang herb. When infused, the liquor yields an earthy aroma with hints of cinnamon. The earthy flavor emerges in the cup, along with notes of dark molasses and honey. Each square or heart-shaped (as available) piece will yield approximately two cups of tea.

Green tea scented with jasmine flowers, producing a fragrant, delicate tea. Sometimes classified as an Oolong tea, Jasmine teas are technically of the scented Pouchong family of teas.

Processed in the traditional roasted style, this classic Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong produces a light amber-gold cup with a smooth, toasty character. Notes of honey and chestnut pair nicely with light toasty notes in both the aroma and flavor. A subtle floral undertone whispers in the lingering finish.

New lot. Elegant, downy gold tips are showcased in this superb black tea offering from Yunnan province. A sweet aroma with notes of brown sugar pairs well with rich earthy notes in the thick, syrupy cup. A silky smooth mouth feel envelops hints of spice that linger long into the finish.

Sheng Pu-Erh tea leaves are carefully rolled by hand into medium pearl shapes, which produce a silky smooth cup with a complex aroma and flavor. Hints of fruit and spice enhance the light earthy aroma. Pronounced notes of fresh apricot are complemented by layers of honey, earth and flowers in the pale golden liquor. The crisp, refreshing finish lingers on the palate. An outstanding selection. Each 1.25" pearl will yield approximately 3-4 cups of tea.

Fragrant with notes of dark cocoa powder, the rich aroma portends the velvety smooth, full-bodied cup filled with pronounced cocoa flavor. A warm toastiness wraps around sweet hints of honey that linger in the finish.

This outstanding Yunnan black tea selection is composed of handcrafted golden tips with a beautiful downy appearance. The russet-amber liquor is fragrant with hints of molasses. Layers of cocoa, spice, and earth weave together to create a rich flavor that is complemented by a caramelized sugar sweetness. A whisper of spice lingers in the finish.

The golden yellow cup has a light floral aroma and honey-like sweetness, with a mild smoky undertone. A gentle tartness reveals itself in the finish.

A Broken Orange Pekoe from Yunnan province, this tea is a hearty version of the whole-leaf varieties. Try it with milk for a British style Yunnan cup.

This classic Chinese Oolong was grown in the Wudong area of the Phoenix Mountains in Guangdong province. “Da Wu Ye,” meaning “big dark leaf,” refers to the elegantly long, dark green leaves of this most prized of Phoenix Oolong offerings. A gentle roasted aroma introduces the light amber liquor. Pronounced stone fruit notes and hints of honey highlight the rich ambrosial character and full mouth feel of this stellar selection. The finish is smooth and lingering.

A mellow tea in the style of An Hui province Keemun, with classic Burgundy cup character and mild smoky note. The liquor is smooth, with a lingering sweet finish.

Scented with the aromatic lychee fruit, this China black tea has a natural hint of sweetness and a flowery aroma. A new lot.

Bright and flavorful, this CO2 decaffeinated green tea has a pleasant vegetal quality. A bolder version of our ZG09, Decaffeinated China Green Tea.

The ultra-bold, carefully twisted leaves of this outstanding Yunnan province black tea are fragrant with the aroma of rich cocoa. This cocoa note is also prominent in the velvety smooth, full-bodied cup, heady with toasty, spicy hints. A dried fruit sweetness lingers in the finish, balanced by a dry hint of red wine.

A top grade of this lesser known style of China Oolong, this tea is slightly green, with a woody aroma and flavor. A style served in Hong Kong Chinese restaurants. Oolong tea is also referred to as Wu-Long tea, or Black Dragon tea.

Extra care is taken with each step, from the extra-fine picking through the oxidation. Exquisite in style, color, aroma, and taste. If an unspecified 'Hao-Ya' Keemun is sold, it is typically Hao-Ya 'B'.

Literally translated, Chun Mee means 'precious eyebrows.' One of our most popular organic China green teas. Steep about 2 minutes.

The fragrant, dark brown leaves yield a deep amber liquor with a light smoky aroma, hinting of earth and wine. The smooth cup is rich and full-bodied, accented with smoky/earthy nuances. The finish lingers with a hint of spice.

This selection is a mixture of Sheng Pu-Erh and Nuo Mi Xiang, a Yunnan province herb with the natural fragrance of sticky rice. When infused, the pale golden liquor yields a distinctive aroma with hints of earth and sticky rice. An earthy quality also emerges in the cup, complemented by a dark sweetness. A note reminiscent of freshly baked bread lingers into the finish. Each square piece will yield approximately 2-3 cups of tea.

Processed in the style of a Japanese Sencha tea, this organic selection is an excellent value for an everyday green tea. The golden cup is aromatic with floral hints and a sweet, buttery mouth feel.

This Shou Mei style white tea has been handcrafted into beautiful tea pearls. The golden ecru liquor is fragrant with notes of honey and spring flowers. The sweet cup has an herbaceous flavor with notes of ripe melon. A sweet, lingering finish completes a very special tea experience. Each 1" pearl will yield approximately 2 cups of tea.

Brisk China green tea of the Chun Mee family. Superior quality, golden liquor with a hint of sweetness. Use sparingly for optimum flavor.

This is a perfect tea for getting your daily dose of "greens." This fannings grade produces a smooth and flavorful cup within a minute. Value-priced for everyday consumption and chosen for its pleasing character, this organic tea is an excellent choice for the green tea enthusiast on a budget.

4 tins (approx. 35g each) of teas from the following Chinese teas, depending upon seasonal availability: ZG20: First Grade Gunpowder Green, ZH20: China Pu-Erh Leaf, ZK11: First Grade China Keemun, ZO88: Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong Special Grade, ZW60: Special Grade Shou Mei White Tea, or ZO10: China Oolong Se Chung.

Please note that Sampler Sets cannot be personalized.

Please note that the 4 teas in this sampler set will vary according to the season.

This premium Jasmine Silver Needle white tea is made entirely of the tender buds of a large leaf cultivar from the spring harvest in Yunnan province. These young buds are then naturally scented with fresh jasmine flowers over five consecutive nights. The sugar-sweet aroma is redolent with a sublime jasmine/osmanthus fragrance. The pale golden cup is light and airy with a pronounced jasmine scent, reminiscent of a lush garden’s fragrance at the height of summer. A silky smooth, refreshing finish completes a memorable tea experience. The perfect choice for a winter uplift!

From Yunnan province, this outstanding Chinese black tea offering has long ebony-brown leaves that steep a velvety smooth cup. The sweet aroma of this Yunnan tea, hinting of rose petals, is balanced with pronounced spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The dark amber liquor exhibits exceptional complexity with layers of earth, spice, brown sugar, and a whisper of floral essence. The finish lingers and comforts with hints of warming spice. A staff favorite.

Da Hong Pao, or "Big Red Robe," is a famous Chinese Oolong tea with a colorful pedigree. The very large leaves are perfect for multiple infusions. Subsequent steepings will produce varying levels of stone fruit and honey notes. The aroma is fruity and fragrant with a hint of sweet spring flowers. A lingering vegetal sweetness is noted in the finish, along with a crisp, clean hint reminiscent of dry white wine. Very limited lot.

High quality Chinese loose leaf black Rose Congou Tea is scented with rose petals, creating a naturally aromatic, sweet cup with a very subtle hint of rose.

Grown on Chaozhou Phoenix mountain in Guangdong province at an altitude of 4,000 feet, this esteemed Chinese Oolong tea, also known as “Mi Lan Xiang,” is plucked from a Dan Cong cultivar only once a year in the spring. The ultra-bold, hand-twisted leaves of this Special Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea yield a velvety smooth, full-bodied cup with a pronounced stone fruit character. The complex aroma weaves layers of fragrance — floral, honey, citrus, nutty, toasty/biscuity — with a whisper of smoke. The clean finish lingers with an appealing fruity sweetness. This staff favorite creates a memorable tea experience.

Bold, handcrafted leaves produce a buttery smooth, golden-amber cup with pronounced honey and floral notes in both aroma and flavor, with an added hint of melon as complement. A whisper of lemon brings a refreshing aspect to the aroma as well as adding a counterpoint to a lingering sweetness in the finish. Enjoy it hot or over ice for a wonderful iced tea.

The Fuding tea region of northeast Fujian province is well known for its preeminent white tea production, and this white tea cake is an outstanding example of its premium quality teas. The pale golden-amber liquor is smooth and silky with pronounced honey notes in both the aroma and the flavor. Hints of stone fruit linger in the finish. Produced from a large-leaf varietal, this 4 ½ inch diameter round tea cake weighs approximately 95-100 grams and comes packaged in our silver packet.

The dark olive, neatly rolled leaves exude a fresh buttery fragrance with hints of flowers. The pale straw-colored liquor invites that first sip with its delightful floral aroma. A nectar-like sweetness complements notes of chestnut and mineral in the light toasty cup. The finish lingers with hints of honey.