San Xia Honey Black Tea

Tea Garden: Lee Family
Farming Methods: Hand-picked. Natural pesticide and herbicide free, farming
Production Methods:100% oxidised. Formosa black tea making techniques. Twisted, curled leaf

A premium hand made black tea grown in the Northern Taiwan tea growing region of San Xia.

San Xia District, in Northern Taiwan (close to Taipei) has been mostly known for its specialty Taiwan Green teas. And also, for the unique Formosa Tarry Souchong – smoky black tea that was quite popular in the 70s and 80s. Due to environmental considerations the making of this tea is not so common now. However, the black tea making skills have remained with the skilful tea makers in this area and this tea is a good example of a premium grade black tea from this area. It is made from a fine picking of smaller Qing Xin Gan Zhi leaves with plenty of buds in April. The tea leaf was also graced by the leafhopper insects that cause the distinctive and sought after Mi Xiang (honey aroma and smoothness) character. The tea is made by the same multi-generation family of tea makers in San Xia who also make our Bi Luo Chun and Long Jing Green teas.

This superb black tea is generously lush with ripe exotic fruit notes (mango, white peach), sweet and refreshing. Like all small-leaf black teas, its tannic structure is smooth and silky with very low acidity making it a very refreshing choice hot or as a cold brew for those hot summer months.