Shui Xian
China 85-90°C £8.00
A delicious, dark 'water sprite' oolong from the Wuyi Mountains of North Fujian is charcoal-fired, so slightly smoky. It is dry, yet suggesting caramelised fruits with a hint of light, woody spice, long-lingering aftertaste.
Now An astonishing, subtle and profound Shui Xian from Master Xu, grown in the Wuyi World Heritage site where chemicals are entirely forbidden. Completely hand-made, this rare (14 kilos per year), charcoal-fired tea is picked from plants over 100 years old. Its golden brew has hints of slightly caramelised fruit and an alluring aftertaste.
20g £14
At the same price and locale, also hand-made by Master Xu, is a genuine Da Hong Pao grown in Nine Dragon Gorge less than 400m from the 6 original ancient "Mother" trees of which Master Xu is one of the guardians. This is grown from second-generation cuttings from the number two tree. The last time tea from the original trees was auctioned in 2006 a restaurant paid £15,000 for 20g. Our Da Hong Pao has the typical Wuyi roasted aroma backed with a sweet peachiness. This is a favourite treat in my cup.
However, Master Xu's favourite amongst his own teas is Rou Gui (Cassia Oolong) which has the hint of cassia, fruit and a fugitive aroma of old rose. Through a special deal we are offering this at £14 for 50g or £7 for 20g. All of these are unmissable.
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Mi Lan Xiang
China 85°C £8.00
A fine medium oolong from the Phoenix Mountains of Guangdong Province. The beautifully twisted leaves yield fragrant apricot backed with grapefruit and hints of honey and flowers. Drinking this is a sophisticated experience with a full aftertaste.
Master Wang's hand-made Phoenix Mountain Oolongs One is a world-class Mi Lan Xiang from Hong Hua Cun from old trees and is certified by IFOA. Marvellously fragrant. £14 for 20g
From ancient trees on Phoenix Mountain itself, there is also Emperor Jiaqing's Tribute tea. He ruled from 1796 to !820 and is said to have died after having been struck by lightning. Sweet and delicious tea. Also £14 for 20g.
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Pu-Erh 1992
China 95°C £10.00
Pu-Erh, or Bo-Lai, is fermented microbially, typically for about 6 years. Famed for its digestive properties Pu-Erh is ideal for serving with or after oily food. It produces many unusual reddish brews which are complex, pleasantly earthy and smooth with negligible caffeine. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribe this to combat high cholesterol as well as considering it a slimming tea. This fine loose-leaf example from Yunnan has been expertly aged, gaining in complexity and depth.
NEW We have fairly limited quantities of a well-aged loose leaf Sheng (raw) Pu-er from the 1980s Very complex and delicious with a distinct chi. £8 for 30g
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Long Jing
China 80°C £7.00
A very good classic Long Jing (Dragon Well), having flat 'sword-blade' leaves, the aroma of chestnuts and a full, satisfying aftertaste. The genuine thing from Xi Hu (West Lake) which produces much of the most sought-after Long Jing teas.(pictured)
Please note that we are now offering a Long Jing Premium, also from Xi Hu, at £12 for 50g. This delicious variation is greener in style and so slightly less 'chestnutty' and presents distinct hints of asparagus.
NEW & SPECIAL Long Jing Supreme is a very limited production Long Jing. We are offering 10g each of teas hand-picked on 8th & 9th of April and hand-fired by Master Luo who makes only 10 kilos each year from the small field of the superior “Old Tea Tree” varietal (150 - 200 years old) that he inherited from his grandfather. Master Luo is the youngest winner of the Long Jing Tea Firing King (Chao Cha Wang) competition and also the youngest of the Long Jing Grand Firing Masters appointed by the government to pass on the traditional methods to the next generation. In 2007 he was asked to fire the tea from the famous 18 tribute Long Jing bushes selected by the Emperor Qian Long in the eighteenth century.
Experience the subtle complexity of this world famous tea at its traditional best. £14 for 2 X 10g.
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Green Jasmine
China 80°C £5.50
This refreshing, yet relaxing, quality, green tea is fragranced by allowing it to absorb the scent of eight times its own weight of fresh Jasmine flowers. This sensational-tasting tea is made for us in Fujian by one of the most respected artisanal teamakers in China. The new 2009 crop is one of the best we've received.
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Rose White
China 80°C £8.00
Another very limited production, fragranced in the same way as the Jasmine, this exceptional tea combines the fresh delicacy of white tea with the heady fragrance of roses which excite the nose and linger on the tongue.
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Snow Jewel
China 80°C £9.00
A high-altitude, silver-needle type white tea from Zhejiang Province. Sophisticated and subtle, yet highly fragrant, this tea has hints of white fruits, such as peaches, Chinese pears and Lychee. Gives 5-6 brews. Special price: Was £12 Expect a top-grade version soon.
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