Culinary Specialties CooksShopHere- Black Tea: Sun Moon Lake from 100yr-old, wild tea trees

Black

Oolong

Sun Moon Lake
from 100-year-old, wild tea trees
2011 Spring Pluck

Nantou County, Taiwan
Orthodox leaf, hand-rolled
Large whole leaf with a slight twist
Multifaceted spicy flavor with the suggestion of candied oranges
Clean, woodsy, slightly floral, aroma
Reddish-amber liquor

4 oz	8 oz	16 oz
50.00 Buy	100.00 Buy	200.00 Buy

In the region surrounding Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan, black tea was developed for export by the Japanese during their occupation of Taiwan in the years preceding and during WWII. In 1925 the Japanese tea research center imported tea seeds from Assam, India, with the intent of cultivating tea bushes for the production of black tea for export.

The Japanese succeeded in establishing these tea bushes in Yuchih Township, and later, after the departure of the Japanese from Taiwan, the Taiwan Tea Research Institute continued the research into suitable tea bush cultivars for the production of black tea.

The resulting cultivar was a cross between indigenous Taiwan tea cultivars and the tea bushes established by the Japanese in 1925. The resulting tea bushes were named Ruby Red or No. 18, which were used to create Sun Moon Lake’s black tea.

Black tea production in Taiwan went into decline for a period, but resurgence in interest in this unique tea has come about in recent years. Today, most Sun Moon Lake Black tea is plucked from large-leaf tea bushes that descendants of the original plants, and the leaf is carefully plucked by hand.

Our Sun Moon Lake 100-Year Old Wild Tea is, however, even more special. It was made in February 2011 by our friend Lisa’s great-uncle, a gentleman and former tea man in the Sun Moon Lake region. It is made with leaf from 100-yr-old wild tea trees ( yes, Taiwan does have small pockets of old, wild tea trees and no, these are not the same as the cloned tea bushes ) and it is hand-processed only once a year. He doesn’t sell his tea on the open market but distributes it to friends and family. We are thrilled to be included in this select group of those who are privileged to drink this fine tea.

Our tea has a large, twisted leaves and delicate, woodsy flavor that suggests sweet osmanthus, cinnamon, candied orange marmalade and an tiny hint of old-fashioned garden mint in the background.

This tea is delicious and has a good amount of dynamic qi, which stems from the organic cultivation, healthy growing conditions and careful cultivation of these deeply rooted 100-year old tea trees.

The quantity of tea that we have to sell is very small, so if you are interested in experiencing this truly delicious tea, you must act quickly.

Use 1.5 Tablespoons (2-3 grams) per 6 oz of water
Steep 1 infusion at 3 - 5 minutes.
A lighter, second steeping is possible
Water temperature should be 190˚ - 200˚ F