Chinese Tea

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.)

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.

A pronounced aroma and flavor of rich melted chocolate distinguishes this outstanding organic 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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Rated a top tea region since the Tang Dynasty, Hubei province produces this remarkable black tea. A special grade of Keemun.

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.

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.

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'.