Old Tree Yunnan Red 2015 野生古樹紅茶

Our Old Tree Yunnan Red was grown in Fengqing County, Lincang Prefecture, Yunnan. This region of Southern China boasts the country’s oldest tea trees – some hundreds of years old with deep root structures that allow a higher absorption of nutrients and minerals. Because of their age, the trees that produced this tea have adapted to the local ecological environment. As a result, they are resistant to most pests and diseases and require neither watering nor fertilizing.

This tea is a labor of love from a producer with a passion for crafting heritage teas that are remarkably delicious. The leaves that went into this tea were picked in April 2015, then shade-withered to bring out clarity and sweetness. With a deft nurturing hand, the leaves were bruised, oxidized, and pan-roasted in small batches. The resultant maocha, or unfinished tea, was wrapped in canvas and roasted over charcoal. The finished tea was then sorted by hand, selecting only the most evenly sized leaves.

The resultant tea leaves are a uniform 2cm with a beautiful satiny sheen. The brewed tea is smooth, sweet, and fragrant with a vermillion liquor. Old Tree Yunnan Red’s flavor profile is a wonderful amalgamation of lychee, red plum and sweet vermouth. The result is balanced with the round sweetness of an aged bourbon.

We prefer quick infusions to extract this tea’s fruit notes and sweetness – and repeating the short brew time for subsequent infusions.