Oolong Pre-Chingming Tea

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.

This organic competition grade Matcha produces a bright jade-green liquor with a silky smooth mouth feel. The fresh, clean flavor is outstanding, with sweet vegetal notes. Packed in a small, matte silver tin.

Please note that the tin label cannot be personalized.

This exquisitely crafted Formosa Oolong is very fragrant, with pronounced peach notes in both the aroma and the tawny-gold cup. An abundance of downy, silver tips adorns the large beautiful leaves, yielding a liquor bursting with flavor and a smooth, creamy mouth feel. Notes of dried fruit as well as hints of warm spice and honey lead to a clean finish with a lingering sweetness.

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.

Harvested on March 3, 2022, this stellar first flush Darjeeling intoxicates with its fresh floral fragrance. Upon first sip, the vibrant gold liquor fills your mouth with a buttery smooth feeling like golden cornsilk. Enlivened by a rich honey sweetness, the classic floral character conjures a stroll through a lush spring garden. Vegetal hints linger in the crisp finish, completing a delightful tea moment.

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.

Produced at a small family tea garden in Shizuoka, Japan, this unique black tea is smoked for 6-8 hours using wood chips from an oak whisky barrel. A sweet, savory aroma, reminiscent of an autumn bonfire, introduces the velvety, full-bodied cup. A rich smoky/oak flavor takes center stage in the ruby-amber liquor, and is supported by a rounded fruity sweetness. The bold smokiness lingers long into the smooth finish, complemented by sweet whispers of amaretto and rose.

Produced at a small family tea garden in Shizuoka, Japan, this unique black tea is smoked for 6-8 hours using wood chips from a Japanese cherry wood whisky barrel. With layers of smoke, Burgundy and hints of floral sweetness, the aroma is reminiscent of a warm charcoal fire. A buttery mouth feel and hints of toffee complement the pronounced smoky notes in the smooth, rich cup. That smoky character is joined by a prevailing sweetness that lingers long after the last sip.

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.

Long, thin needles of lustrous dark emerald produce a yellow jade liquor exhibiting a wonderful balance of complex sweet and savory notes. A very sweet, buttery mouth feel complements rich umami notes and a fresh vegetal quality that lingers into the finish.

This beautifully handcrafted Ceylon white tea showcases downy, silver-sage buds. The pale champagne-colored liquor has a fresh, inviting fragrance. A silky smooth mouth feel complements sweet notes of melon and apricot. A clean finish completes an outstanding tea experience.

This organic Matcha offering produces a superlative, dark jade cup with a pronounced vegetal character and full mouth feel. Packed in a small, matte silver tin.

Please note that the tin label cannot be personalized.

Harvested on February 24, 2022, this outstanding first flush Darjeeling is referred to as ‘Jethi Kupi,’ an auspicious title given to the earliest first flush harvests at the Rohini Estate. The bright golden liquor is light and refreshing with a buttery smooth cornsilk mouth feel. The fresh aroma is delicate and floral with gentle vegetal hints. The classic floral cup is embraced by tropical fruit and sweet toasty hints. A crisp, lingering finish completes an exemplary tea experience, imbued with sunshine and felicity.

Harvested on March 8, 2022, this is the very first plucking of the first flush season at Tindharia Estate. A profusion of downy silver tips decorate the olive-green leaves, which produce a fragrant golden liquor redolent with buttery floral notes suggestive of honeysuckle. The silky smooth cup fills your mouth with a lively feel that awakens the palate. Classic floral notes pair with a fruity sweetness reminiscent of juicy pineapple, which linger into the crisp finish. A truly delightful way to enjoy a tea moment at any time of day.

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.

From the “Four Season Spring” cultivar, this unique Formosa Oolong exhibits premium, loosely rolled leaves that produce a pale gold liquor with the heady scent of lilacs. A smooth, rich buttery mouth feel provides the perfect complement to the pronounced honey notes and intense floral character. The finish lingers with light hints of melon.

This superior selection is the second plucking of the first flush season at the Upper division of Namring Estate, one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling district. Ultra-bold leaves, in shades of olive green accented with silver tips, produce a pale amber-gold cup, fragrant with hints of tropical fruit. A smooth buttery mouth feel complements pronounced floral notes and hints of corn silk, enfolded in a rich honey sweetness that lingers long into the finish.

The beautiful, handmade leaves of this unique Oolong tea are created under the guidance of tea masters from Taiwan. The pale golden liquor is fragrant with a light floral aroma. The silky smooth cup is light and flavorful with a pronounced floral character. A lingering whisper of spice completes an outstanding tea experience.

Harvested on February 8, 2023, this singular first flush Darjeeling tea is referred to as ‘Jethi Kupi,’ an auspicious title given to the earliest first flush harvests at the Rohini Estate. Beautiful silver-tipped leaves produce a light golden liquor that glows like morning sunshine. A sweet vegetal fragrance introduces delicate floral hints that bloom in both the aroma and the silky smooth cup of loose leaf Darjeeling tea. Notes of honeyed cornsilk and lingering nuances of tropical fruit add to the complexity of flavor. The finish is crisp with a fleeting whisper of spice. The perfect choice for your mindfulness practice.

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!

This organic premium-grade Matcha produces a dark yellow-jade liquor with a rich umami flavor. A light toasty nuance adds a layer of complexity to the exceptional cup. Packed in a small, matte silver tin.

Please note that the tin label cannot be personalized.

In this first flush offering from Singbulli Estate, bold, well-made leaves in variegated tones of olive-green, sprinkled with silver tips, steep a golden amber liquor with a vibrant aroma hinting of sweet flowers and buttery corn silk. The cup is rich and smooth with a delectable honeyed floral flavor that fills your mouth upon first sip. The finish lingers with a crisp “bite.”

In this premium selection, a bounty of small golden tips provides a stunning contrast to the dark brown leaves. The medium amber cup is rich and full-bodied with a classic brisk character and honeyed fragrance. Burgundy notes join hints of spice and raisin, lingering in the finish.

This is the finest Jade Oolong tea we’ve ever sampled. Orchid, honey, and buttery notes weave together to create a complex aroma and flavor with a creamy smooth mouth feel and long, lingering finish. For those of you looking for the best of what Taiwan can offer, this outstanding Oolong selection is highly recommended.

Very bold leaves in shades of olive-green yield a bright amber-gold cup of loose leaf first flush Darjeeling tea, with a fresh fragrance that hints of wildflowers and a toasty brown sugar sweetness. Singbulli Estate's first flush Darjeeling tea has a smooth buttery mouth feel embraces a lively character with classic floral flavor, enhanced by notes of honey and sweet nectar. The finish lingers on a crisp bittersweet note. Another exemplary selection from one of our favorite tea estates!

An inviting floral fragrance introduces this first flush selection from the Arya Estate, which has been producing premium Darjeeling teas for over 100 years. The amber gold cup is lively and bursting with mouth-filling complexity. Notes of sweet flowers, buttery corn silk, juicy tropical fruit and creamy almond create a rich harmony of well-balanced flavor that lingers long into the crisp finish.

In this 2023 first flush Darjeeling loose leaf tea offering, flecks of spring green brighten bold, dark-olive leaves, redolent with a fresh herbaceous aroma. With its pronounced sweet floral fragrance and flavor, the golden amber cup invites that first sip. A buttery smooth mouth feel leads to a clean finish that lingers with a honey sweetness. A superb selection from Jungpana Tea Estate, creating a memorable tea moment with every sip.

First planted in 1852, the Puttabong Tea Estate is notable as one of the first tea gardens in Darjeeling. With a sweet floral aroma reminiscent of a blooming spring meadow, this 2023 first flush Darjeeling tea selection invites you to take your first sip. Bold, dark-olive leaves, sprinkled with downy silver tips, produce a light amber-gold liquor that delights the palate with its fresh, buttery smoothness and classic, honeyed floral flavor. A smooth, clean finish completes a memorable Darjeeling tea experience.

This outstanding selection displays beautiful leaves in shades of green, sprinkled with delicate, silvery tips. The fragrance is fresh and sweet, with hints of corn silk. The sparkling amber-gold cup is bursting with honey sweetness and rich floral notes reminiscent of a spring garden. A buttery smooth mouth feel supports light vegetal hints and a crisp, lively quality that lingers long into the finish. Savor each sip of this stellar offering.

Spread across the rolling hills of the Mirik area of Darjeeling, the Singbulli Estate is well known for crafting top-notch Darjeeling teas. This 2022 second flush offering is true to their reputation. The lively cup begins with a toasty/woody aroma, accentuated by hints of caramel. The dark amber liquor exhibits a rich fruity bouquet, complemented by an excellent pairing of muscatel sweetness and crisp citrus-like notes, which linger into the finish. Steep longer if a splash of milk is desired.

The bold, attractive leaves of Balasun Estate’s very first plucking are sprinkled with a fair complement of silvery tips. The fresh aroma is delicate, with honeyed floral hints. The amber-gold cup is exceptional, with rich floral notes enhanced by a silky smooth mouth feel. A tropical fruit sweetness leads to a crisp, lingering finish.

Named after Queen Victoria, the Victoria’s Peak garden is a division of the renowned Steinthal Estate. In this 2023 first flush Darjeeling tea offering, premium loose leaf black tea leaves in rich tones of olive green are laced with silvery tips. A full, lively mouth feel enhances the sweet floral character, which is complemented by juicy notes of pineapple and tropical fruit. Nuances of corn silk and honey linger long into the crisp finish.

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.

The bold, meticulously crafted leaves of this 2023 first flush Darjeeling yield a lively cup with a rich, silky mouth feel. The candied floral aroma whispers of orange blossoms and a light herbaceous nuance. With notes of tropical fruit and flowers, the flavor profile epitomizes “springtime in a cup.” This exceptional offering finishes on a crisp citrus-like note, balanced with a lingering sweetness. A staff favorite.

Harvested at the height of the 2022 second flush season, the dark brown leaves of this exemplary offering yield a smooth, full-bodied cup with a complex character. Rich toasty notes are embraced by a dried fruit sweetness reminiscent of a ripe apple. Hints of warm mulling spices add to the depth of flavor, finishing with a pleasant dryness that lingers as in a fine red wine. Enjoy this delightful tea, neat or with a touch of milk, at any time of day.

Located near the border of Sikkim, the North Tukvar Tea Estate has been producing superior teas since it was first planted in 1884. This outstanding 2023 first flush Darjeeling tea offering was plucked on March 11th at an elevation of 2,000 feet. An abundance of downy silver tips decorates bold leaves of variegated olive greens, which produce a rich golden amber cup with a sweet floral/fruity aroma. A smooth, round mouth feel supports a flavor profile bursting with notes of tropical fruit and melon. This loose leaf Darjeeling tea's finish lingers with a palate-awakening crispness reminiscent of biting into a red apple.

The Dooars region lies south of the Himalayan foothills of Darjeeling and north of the Brahmaputra River basin. This lovely 2023 offering from Putharjhora estate exhibits a lively citrus-like mouth feel and inviting tropical fruit notes, reminiscent of pineapple. A pronounced stone fruit sweetness enhances notes of corn silk in the champagne-gold cup. The finish is silky smooth and clean.

Tamaryokucha, literally translated as "coiled tea", is a superb, handcrafted green tea that has a full, complex flavor. Vegetal notes and a pleasing pungency are accentuated by hints of dark berries and a sweet aftertaste. This organic offering was produced in Takachiho, Miyazaki, from the Yabukita cultivar.

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.

Tiny mandarin oranges are dried and stuffed with Shou Pu-Erh leaves, creating this unique tea treat. The opaque, deep brown liquor is fragrant with hints of citrus zest and earth. A whisper of cocoa joins the citrus-earthy flavor in the cup, finishing on a brisk, lively note. Each 1.5" mandarin will yield approximately 4 cups of tea. This selection is perfect for multiple steepings.

Smooth and rich, this second flush Darjeeling offers pronounced muscatel notes in both the fragrant aroma and the dark amber cup. Nutty/toasty nuances and hints of honey lead to a dry, lingering finish that hints of spice. Another sublime selection from Victoria’s Peak, a division of the renowned Steinthal Estate.

With elevations ranging over 6,000 feet, the Thurbo Estate has been producing premium Darjeeling teas for over a century. In this first flush offering, silver tips decorate attractive leaves in a colorful display of olive greens. A rich toasty aroma introduces an amber-gold cup with an assertive character that enhances its full, lively mouth feel. Fresh floral/herbaceous notes and a honey sweetness are complemented by notes of stone fruit, which lend a gentle crispness to the lingering finish.

A sweet fruity aroma, complemented by light floral hints, introduces this exceptional 2022 first flush Darjeeling tea. The shimmering amber-gold liquor of this loose leaf Darjeeling black tea is buttery smooth with a heady tropical quality that brings to mind a juicy pineapple. The polished finish lingers with a hint of honey and crisp white wine undertone. Savor this tea hot or iced.

The bold, dark brown leaves of this 2022 second flush selection infuse a smooth, full-bodied liquor with classic muscatel flavor. A pronounced sweetness in the aroma complements a rich earthy quality reminiscent of a fall walk in the woods. Mouth-watering fruity notes and a sweet character make this exceptional Darjeeling a great choice for your next cup.

Harvested from a perennial shrub (Ocimum tenuiflorum) native to India, the loose leaf Rama Tulsi Holy Basil tea produces a rich, well-rounded cup with spicy notes of anise and clove. This aromatic, caffeine-free tisane tea hints of bittersweet cocoa that lingers in the minty clean finish.

Downy, golden tips thread through dark brown leaves that steep a rich, dark-amber liquor with a pronounced muscatel aroma. Hints of almond, honey, and oak add a balanced complexity to the fragrance. The classic muscatel notes bloom in the silky smooth flavor, accentuated by hints of Burgundy and soft floral nuances make this second flush darjeeling tea selection so refreshing. A honey sweetness lingers in the finish of this loose leaf black tea.

Those who appreciate the finer grades of Tung-Ting style Oolong will find this one an exceptional value. The flavor is surprisingly more refined than item TT86.

First planted at the turn of the 20th century, the south-facing tea slopes of the Jungpana Estate are located in a remote area near Kurseong, where the average elevation is 4,000 feet. This first flush offering displays dark olive leaves that are laced with a fine complement of downy silver tips. A sweet tropical fruit aroma sets the stage for the buttery smooth, amber gold cup. Rich notes of honey and spring flowers are complemented by a refreshing astringency that settles around the edges of the palate. A honey sweetness tempers the crisp, lingering finish.

A profusion of silver tips enhances the bold, handcrafted tea leaves of this unique Oolong tea selection from Vietnam. Fragrant notes of apricot, peach, and honey introduce the smooth, rich cup, which fills your mouth with its buttery mouth feel. An ambrosia-like sweetness lingers long into the finish.

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.

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.

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.

The Castleton Estate is known for crafting top-notch Darjeeling teas. This 2023 second flush Darjeeling tea offering is true to their reputation. The chestnut-colored liquor has a lively fruity bouquet in both the aroma and flavor, with hints of muscatel and a ripe stone fruit sweetness. The smooth, full-bodied cup of loose leaf Darjeeling tea has a rich mouth feel and honey nuances, which linger in the finish alongside a whisper of wildflowers.

Located in the Rung Bong valley at altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 5,500 feet, the Sungma Estate was first planted in the 1860s. This 2023 second flush darjeeling tea selection offers a smooth, medium-bodied cup with a sweet, toasty aroma, hinting of oak and cedar with a whisper of vanilla. The mahogany-colored liquor exhibits a classic muscatel bouquet, enhanced by a honey sweetness and complemented by woody/toasty hints. The finish of this loose leaf black tea is clean and refreshing with an appealing bittersweet quality.

From the Chamraj Estate in the Nilgiri Mountains of southern India, this “Frost” tea is grown during the cold winter months, which imparts a unique character to the light amber cup. A sweet floral aroma introduces the silky smooth liquor, setting the stage for a pronounced sweetness that envelops notes of juicy tropical fruit. A long lingering finish completes a very satisfying tea experience.

From its bold, well-made leaf style to its rich, lively cup, this 2023 second flush Darjeeling tea offering, from one of our favorite estates, has many excellent points to consider. The aroma is fragrant with notes of muscatel and hints of black cherry. Layers of muscatel, apricot, honey, a biscuit-like toastiness and a whisper of mahogany weave together to create an immensely satisfying flavor. The smooth finish of this loose leaf Darjeeling tea lingers with a dried fruit sweetness and white wine crispness.

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.

An herbaceous aroma is enhanced by a subtle floral perfume and sweet hints of brown sugar, which sets the stage for the rich, invigorating character of this 2023 first flush Darjeeling. A silky smooth mouth feel embraces notes of spring flowers and hints of tropical fruit in the light amber cup. In the finish, a crisp bittersweet note is balanced with lingering notes of honey. A tea lover’s tea!

Traditionally known as “red tea” in Vietnam, this unique loose leaf black tea selection is notable for pronounced peach notes in both the fragrant aroma and velvety smooth cup. The stone fruit character is complemented by a hint of vanilla and honey sweetness, which lingers into the finish.