Chinese Tea

This medium-bodied black tea selection boasts long, twisted leaves that yield a bright amber liquor fragrant with hints of Burgundy and spice. A velvety smooth mouth feel sets the stage for notes of earth, cocoa and honey, all of which become more pronounced as the tea cools. A whisper of spice lingers in the finish.

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.

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.)

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.

Elegant, downy gold tips are showcased in this superb black tea offering from Yunnan province. A sweet cocoa aroma pairs well with toasty/biscuity notes in the thick, rich cup. A silky smooth mouth feel envelops hints of cocoa that linger long into the finish.

This medium-bodied selection boasts elegantly long, thin leaves that yield a dark copper liquor with a toasty aroma hinting of chocolate. A creamy smooth mouth feel sets the stage for rich notes of dark cocoa and honey. A whisper of spice lingers in the finish.

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.

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 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.

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.

Large, dark brown leaves have been carefully rolled into uniform pearl shapes to create this unique Black Dragon Pearl tea from Yunnan province. Both the dry pearls and the infused liquor are fragrant with the scent of chocolate, hinting of its delicious flavor. The golden-amber cup of Yunnan black tea is rich and earthy with notes of sweet cocoa and hints of stone fruit. The finish is smooth and lingering.

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.

“Ya Bao” is a special production Yunnan white tea made entirely from tender young buds hand plucked from ancient tea trees. An aroma that hints of spring flowers and wildflower honey introduces the pale jade liquor. The silky smooth cup has a unique flavor, with a fruity sweetness that complements hints of flowers and honey. Light evergreen nuances linger into the bright finish. A rare treat for novices and tea connoisseurs alike!

We are excited to offer this outstanding black tea selection as most teas of this superior quality do not leave China. Less than 9 kilograms was produced in Tong Mu, located high in the Wuyi Mountains (formerly Bohea Hills) of northern Fujian province. The large wiry, ebony-brown leaves yield a dark ruby-amber liquor with an inviting caramel aroma hinting of marzipan. The exquisitely smooth cup fills your mouth with a rich depth of flavor – toasted almond notes, hints of warming spices and honeyed apricot, a whisper of earthy smokiness – all embraced by a sweet syrupy quality. The finish lingers with a whisper of spice. This stellar selection is truly a joy to savor.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The pronounced jasmine aroma and flavor of this Season’s Pick offering will please the palates of Jasmine tea lovers. The floral notes are enhanced by a lovely sweetness that blooms as the tea cools, making this selection a great choice for iced tea.

Quality China black (Congou) tea is scented with rose blossoms, creating a naturally aromatic, sweet cup. This tea is occasionally referred to as Lotus Tea, but should not be confused with the flavored tea blend bearing that name. A new lot with rose petals.

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.

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.

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.

Hunan province has an auspicious history of producing superior green teas and this early spring harvest carries on that tradition. Bold, handcrafted leaves, threaded with downy silver tips, steep a pale yellow-jade liquor with a fresh vegetal aroma that hints of melon. This Pre-Chingming cup is silky smooth with gentle vegetal notes complemented by a light toastiness. Sweet hints of sugarcane bloom and linger long into the crisp finish.

The Perfect Holiday Gift! Experience the unique terroir of China in a cup of tea with our exciting new gift set, “Passport to Explore: Teas of China! This set offers four premium teas to sample: ZJ91: Organic Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl, ZG20: First Grade Gunpowder Green Tea, ZK88: Hong Cha Mao Feng Black Tea, and ZO88: Tie-Guan-Yin Oolong Special Grade. Beautifully packaged in our gold-embossed “passport” folder, this special gift set is sure to please tea novices and tea connoisseurs alike. Each sample size packet will yield approximately 4-5 six-ounce cups of tea.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

From An Hui province, home of the famous Hao-Ya Keemun teas, this selection offers a bright character with a suggestion of sweet tobacco in the aroma. The medium-bodied cup has warm toasty notes and a honey sweetness that blooms as the tea cools.

Long, perfectly twisted leaves produce a dark copper liquor fragrant with bittersweet cocoa notes in this premium Keemun Mao Feng tea. Notes of Burgundy and cocoa make an excellent pair in the rich, full-bodied cup. The smooth finish lingers with nuances of spice in this outstanding organic black tea offering.

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.

A tin (approx 35g) each of the following: TP12: Premium China Keemun, TD50: No.1 Tippy Orthodox GFOP Darjeeling, ZY51: China Yunnan TGFOP, and TB51: East Frisian BOP Assam Tea. Representative of a wide range of fine black teas.

Please note that Sampler Sets cannot be personalized.