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This premium blend of decaffeinated broken-leaf Assam black teas produces a rich, full-bodied cup. The aroma is sweet with hints of malt. The dark copper liquor is bright with a smooth mouth feel, leading to a pleasant pungency lingering in the finish.

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.

Established in the late nineteenth century, the Lover’s Leap Tea Estate perches among the clouds, at 6,000 feet, in the mountainous Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka. This Ceylon black tea selection offers a bright, citrusy aroma, complemented by warm biscuity nuances. The lively cup of loose leaf black tea is a lovely balance of honey sweetness and high-grown briskness, with notes of dried fruit and a light toastiness. The finish lingers with a whisper of spice. Steep longer when adding a splash of milk.

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.

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.

The top standard of decaffeinated Darjeeling tea available, and by far the best we have cupped. Please note that even the best decaffeinated teas lose some of the flavor and complexity of their unprocessed counterparts.

Well twisted, ebony brown leaves and a complement of silver buds yield a dark, satisfying infusion with a sweet aroma. Notes of honey and malt round out the bright, toasty cup, which could accommodate milk, if desired. A pleasant briskness lingers in the light fruity finish.

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.)

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.

This second flush Darjeeling blend boasts a rich muscatel aroma and flavor, heightened to an ambrosial quality by a pronounced honey sweetness. The dark amber cup finishes with a pleasant astringency that lingers on the palate. A great value for second flush Darjeeling aficionados!

Limited lots of organic Gyokuro tea are produced each year. This lot has smooth umami notes, a rich cup and a clean, sweet finish. It was grown in Kagoshima prefecture using the Yabukita cultivar. We are happy to offer this tea while our current supply lasts.

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.

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.

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 organic Rooibos has an inviting aroma, with hints of vanilla and citrus. The smooth flavor has notes of spice and caramel. We recommend this caffine-free tisane for drinking iced, as well as hot.

A pronounced aroma and flavor of rich melted chocolate distinguishes this outstanding organic Chinese loose leaf 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. This Yunnan Golden Buds Tea's finish lingers with dark, bittersweet notes of malt and cherry, reminiscent of a Porter beer. A staff favorite. Small lot with limited availability.

This extraordinary grade of Matcha Gen-mai Cha is seldom seen outside of Japan. The components are of exceptional quality, and produce a harmonious, well-balanced infusion, which is eminently smooth. Toasted rice add a soothing, mellow quality to the complex vegetal flavor.

This organic Darjeeling green tea is a great choice for those looking for a green tea with less vegetal flavor. The aroma is fresh and delicate with sweet melon hints. The pale golden cup is light and refreshing with hints of tropical fruit and flowers, supported by a silky smooth mouth feel. The finish is crisp and lingering.

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.

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.

One of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling district, the Upper division of the venerable Namring Tea Estate consistently produces stellar offerings, year after year. This second flush Darjeeling tea selection is fragrant with a rich fruity bouquet, which invites you to take your first sip. The smooth, dark-amber cup of loose leaf Darjeeling tea exhibits pronounced muscatel notes, embraced by a honey sweetness that lingers into the crisp finish.

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.

Organic South African Rooibos is blended with a melange of aromatic spices, producing a delicious beverage that's great hot or iced. Contains organic ginger, organic cinnamon, organic licorice root, organic black pepper, organic cardamom pods, organic rose petals, organic calendula petals and natural flavoring.

This top quality Kabuse Sencha is crafted in Kagoshima prefecture, located in the southern part of Kyushu. Processed in the traditional style, the leaves are shaded for the last 2-3 weeks before harvest. The result is a flavorful, brothy cup, with a sweet character and full, clean aftertaste. Produced from the Okumidori cultivar.

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.

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.

A rare tea of Hunan province, this loose leaf 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 of this fine Chinese yellow tea. 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.

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.

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.

A rich breakfast blend especially suited for those who enjoy a powerful cup in the morning. This also is a great choice for iced tea. Java teas are never expensive, so you get the best produced for a few cents a cup.

Formosa Keemun has a unique style that has attracted a dedicated following. This selection has the characteristic Oolong notes and gentle smokiness of this tea. It also has the lighter-colored leaf and infusion of our original Formosa Keemun from several years ago. Recommended for those seeking a divergence from traditional China Keemun.

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

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 whole-leaf, organic Nilgiri tea with vibrant aromatics, a sweet cup, and a gentle, crisp bite. Smooth yet very flavorful with medium body. Enjoyable plain or with milk.

This organic South African Rooibos is blended with Bourbon vanilla bits, marigold petals and natural flavoring. Delicious hot or iced, you may enjoy this herbal infusion neat or with your favorite milk and sweetener.

This delightful, naturally flavored blend of South African Honeybush and vanilla bits is decorated with marigold petals. A spicy vanilla aroma complements the flavorful, golden-amber cup. Great hot or iced.

The juxtaposition of dark leaves and golden tips gives this black tea from Colombia a beautiful appearance. The dark copper amber liquor is fragrant with toasty cocoa hints. The rich cocoa quality carries on in the flavor of the full-bodied cup, finishing with a raisin sweetness.

Extra rich flavor. A Tung-Ting style Oolong, oxidized at approximately 18 percent to retain a greener character. Very sweet and aromatic, this is the style of Oolong that is favored by Taiwan tea connoisseurs.

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.

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 aromatic, dark-brown leaves of this Congou black tea produce a deep amber liquor, fragrant with hints of cocoa and a dark sugar sweetness. The medium-bodied cup is bright and smooth, featuring toasty/woody notes accented by hints of cocoa and a gentle, lingering toastiness. A solid everyday cup at an attractive price.

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.

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.

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.

Named after a river that flows through the tea garden, the Balasun Estate has been producing premium teas for 150 years. In this first flush Darjeeling, a light pungency adds a lively aspect to the sweet, floral fragrance. Rich notes of flowers and honey, accented by warm toasty hints, are supported by a buttery smooth mouth feel in the golden amber cup. The finish lingers on a crisp, clean note.

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.

4 tins (approx. 35g each) of teas from the following green teas, depending upon seasonal availability: TJ10: Japanese Sencha, TJ21: Gen-mai Cha, TJ79: Kagoshima Kabuse Sencha, TJ16: Sencha Special Grade Yamato, TJ41: Ho-ji Cha Kamakura Organic or TJ22: Gen-Mai Cha Kamakura Organic.

Please note that Sampler Sets cannot be personalized.

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

South African Rooibos is blended with pieces of dried blueberries, blackcurrants and grapes along with hibiscus flowers, rosehip peels and beetroot bits, creating a refreshing, caffeine-free herbal with a well-balanced sweet/tart flavor. Great hot or iced.

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.

For a smooth, mellow cup of tea. Classic Ceylon flavor.

Tiny, pink cherry blossoms peek out from bright green twigs in this unique offering from Japan. The golden yellow liquor is redolent with fragrant floral notes. A light vegetal undertone complements a buttery sweetness in the smooth, refreshing cup.

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.

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.

This green Rooibos is a popular variation of the standard (oxidized) versions. With a light flavor, fresh aroma, and mild sweetness, this tisane from South Africa is an excellent choice for a caffeine-free beverage.

The large, neatly twisted leaves of this organic Oolong offering from Colombia produce a medium amber liquor with a fresh aroma reminiscent of a clean ocean breeze. The full-bodied cup is velvety smooth and bursting with a rich ambrosial flavor that fills your mouth with pronounced notes of honey and dried stone fruit. The finish is long and lingering.

From Miyazaki prefecture, this organic selection is crafted from the Yabukita cultivar and usually reserved for the domestic market. The mouth feel has a decidedly brothy character, and the flavor has a classic "umami" aspect. A superb specimen of this style and grade.

A lightly oxidized leaf that releases a delicate, flowery liquor. The sweet and refreshing taste is enhanced by the fragrance of lilacs. A truly exquisite tea.

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

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

This caffeine-free tisane has a pleasant taste, with honey-like notes and a mild spiciness. The complex aroma is full and inviting, with fruity nuances.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Silvery tips decorate the bold, dark brown leaves of this black tea offering from the Gorkha Estate of eastern Nepal. A toasty aroma, laced with stone fruit sweetness, may be found in the full-bodied cup. A buttery smooth mouth feel supports rich notes of ripe fruit and hints of spice. A quality reminiscent of a crisp apple lingers in the finish.

The finest Japanese green tea, only shade-grown tips are used for Gyokuro. Prized for its delicate flavor and natural sweetness.

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.