Sun Moon Lake Red Jade T-18 Black Tea, Lot 436

The exuberant and exotic aromatics of Taiwan oolongs is undisputed in the tea world. Nowhere can we duplicate Taiwan’s rich terroir for tea growing. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that Taiwan’s offering in black teas can be equally fragrant and expressive! One of it’s most impressive and representative black tea is undoubtedly the Red Jade. It comes as no surprise to whoever experiences drinking this tea that Red Jade (or Ruby) Black Tea has been the pivotal tea of Taiwan’s black tea industry’s rebirth.Its long, beautiful twisted leaves are of the recently introduced TRES-18 hybrid which is a cross between an Assamica strain from Burma and the local indigenous wild tea strain, also called Shan Cha from which is made our Yuchi Wild Mountain Black Tea. Developed by the Tea Research and Extension Station’s Yuchi branch, this unique varietal proposes the full character and body of an Assam with exuberant fruity notes of wild plums, hints of cinnamon and a fresh menthol finish. This unique black tea is surprisingly generous and may be re-steeped several times similarly to it’s famous Taiwanese oolong cousins. Our 2015 Lot 436 is made by the same grower and producer as last year’s Lot 346 which remains consistently generous in fruit notes and ample body. Along with our Taiwanese Assams, Red Jade can accommodate milk quite well which tends to highlight its jammy scrumtiousness.