(Formerly known as Lào Cai Big Tree Black)
 
Our first black (red) tea from Lào Cai Province! A buddy hồng trà from old/ ancient trees growing at 1500-1700m in Bát Xát, Lào Cai. The people living in this tea area are primarily of the Red Dao ethnicity.
 
A fruity, honey cacao fragrance emerges upon first infusion. This tea brews up quickly into a rich crimson golden soup. The flavors I pick up are fruit jam, chicory, malt, cacao, honey with warming spices. This tea has a chicory dark chocolate bitterness with a rich lingering effect in the throat with and an uplifting, focused qi.
 
Medium oxidation, medium rolling time/ pressure, lower than average air drying temp/ longer drying time. A great option for a morning pick me up or any time when you need a burst of clear headed energy.
 
This tea goes many rounds. I like to brew it at 85-100 degrees for shorter and then longer steeps.
 
The producer of this tea is a close friend of ours and gave us a good deal on this tea. Don't let the lower price be an indicator of quality compared to the other teas in our catalog. This is a special tea!
 
Independent review of this tea
 
Season: Spring 2023
Picking Standard: 1 bud, 1-2 leaves
Region: Bát Xát, Lào Cai
Elevation: 1500-1700m