The Great Tea Race Collection

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.

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.

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.

A fresh vegetal aroma, reminiscent of newly cut grass, introduces this outstanding green tea offering from Colombia. Long, wiry leaves produce a pale gold liquor that hints of sugared tropical fruit embraced by a full buttery mouth feel. A gentle hint of evergreen lends a clean, crisp quality to the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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!

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

From Yunnan province, this outstanding black tea offering has long ebony-brown leaves that steep a velvety smooth cup. The sweet aroma, 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.

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.

Grown on Chaozhou Phoenix mountain in Guangdong province at an altitude of 4,000 feet, this esteemed China Oolong, 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Da Hong Pao, or "Big Red Robe," is a famous 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.