{"title":"Better Sleep","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"red-rose","title":"Red Rose","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e平阴粉玫瑰\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMay 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuqian, Jiangsu\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThese roses come from Suqian, Jiangsu Province – a place where roses have been cultivated since the Tang Dynasty, for roughly 1300 years. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe ones we have sourced for Cultivate are of the Pingyin varietal: they are a distinct pink colour with a blue-ish purple undertone, and are particularly rich in flavour. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAfter the fresh rose buds were picked, they have been left to dry naturally and slowly, without the addition of any chemicals or sulphites. The result is a clear and direct encounter with red roses. Their tea is richly aromatic, like potpourri, while still being soft and gentle to drink. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable data-mce-fragment=\"1\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1712%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.925%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e3g\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1712%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTemperature\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.925%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e100\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1712%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.925%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e250 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1712%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.925%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2-5 min\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1712%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.925%;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e3\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32102742098025,"sku":"","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32102742130793,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32102742163561,"sku":"","price":84.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/redrose.jpg?v=1774102004"},{"product_id":"chrysanthemum","title":"Emperor's Chrysanthemum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e黄山贡菊\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNovember 2024\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHuangshan, Anhui\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is an absolutely stunning year for these chrysanthemum flowers: they smell sweet, deep, and look perfectly orb-like when dry. The blossoms open quickly in water, expanding into incredibly fluffy flowers that look buoyant and alive. They brew an electric looking liquor that has taken on the lemonade colour of the flower’s robust inner petals. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe taste the symmetry we see in these flowers in the tea they brew. It is very well balanced between the medicinal qualities and the saccharine sweetness chrysanthemum tea can have. Drinking it is calming to us, as its slightly weighty liquor presses down on our palate before settling warmly into our chest. The density of the liquor is unique in this year’s harvest: while we know it is still whitening our eyes and cooling heat in our bodies, the experience of drinking it is hydrating, soothing, and even a bit stilling.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOn the first sourcing trip I took for Cultivate, back in 2014, I traveled to the Huangshan Mountains to visit a green tea farm famous for their Huangshan Maofeng. The Chen family ran this farm, and they welcomed me to this majestic region very kindly. After our visit, when I parted with them, Mrs. Chen tucked a small package into my bag, telling me, “Huangshan is also famous for our chrysanthemum tea.” I didn’t think much of it at the time; I was so taken by everything else I had encountered, and these flowers were not exactly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e tea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDespite having dismissed them, the chrysanthemums traveled back to Vancouver with me. Much later, on an evening that I was heading out to meet a friend, I came across the package from Mrs. Chen. Wanting something without caffeine, I hurriedly threw a few of the flowers into a thermos and added hot water to take with me. When I took my first sip I was surprised, surely in part because my expectations were so uninformed, but also because the tea I had made was so beautiful – unlike any herbal tea I had tried before! The tea tasted impossibly sweet and refreshing. I looked at the flowers that had opened in the water: they were very vivid – these frayed, semi-translucent orbs that slowly drifted towards and away from one another. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eI’ve carried this chrysanthemum tea at Cultivate since then. Reflecting on my encounter with these flowers, they seem like a perfect example of how sourcing tea can be at the best of times: you unintentionally find a tea so special that it captivates you immediately, and by way of curiosity it brings you closer to both it, and your own presence. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEmperor’s Chrysanthemum are an ancient varietal of chrysanthemum flowers, indigenous to Huangshan Mountain. In the Song Dynasty they were tribute teas for the Emperor. Every November, as soon as the flowers were harvested and dried, they were sent by the fastest horses to the Emperor’s Palace to be enjoyed by the Emperor and his family. They are understood as a restorative tea for the end of winter and early spring. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is my 10th year receiving these chrysanthemums from Huangshan. As the highest grade of the Emperor’s Chrysanthemum, they have gotten progressively harder to procure. This is for several reasons: the weather in the region has become increasingly unpredictable, there have been severe droughts, or too much rain;  this indigenous varietal has a much lower yield than modern chrysanthemum varietals, and requires more field work as they are grown without the use of fertilizers or chemicals; the standards for such a high grade of flower are very high and any weather damage will render them unsuitable for tea. For all of these reasons, the availability of the highest grade of Emperor’s Chrysanthemum has dropped significantly, (at least 70% from when I first sourced them). Every year, as my appreciation for them deepens, these flowers very literally grow more precious. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10- 12 flowers\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e100\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-5 min\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32102990282857,"sku":"","price":24.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32102990315625,"sku":"","price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32102990348393,"sku":"","price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/615A9047.jpg?v=1675879758"},{"product_id":"organic-rose","title":"Organic Crimson Rose","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e有机墨红玫瑰\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMay 2025\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHeqing, Yunnan\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThese full, vibrant roses are grown on a small organic farm in the town of Heqing, Yunnan. They are called “Crimson,” a varietal of rose that originates in France.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTo prepare them for tea, each flower is harvested carefully by hand early in the morning, before the sun is too intense. Immediately after picking, the flowers are freeze-dried to preserve as much of the natural aromas, oils, minerals and vitamins as possible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eYou use a whole flower to brew this tea, and when you taste its liquor, you realize how successfully this method has captured the rose’s essence. The tea is a total experience of crimson rose: delicate, nourishing, uplifting, and saccharine. The reanimated flower slowly lends its hue to the water: as it expands and grows pale, the water around it takes on a deep, vibrant pink – the same bright crimson colour the petals would have been on the morning it was picked. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe dried flowers smell sweet and caramelized, and have a commanding presence piled up together. This tea is brewed with one whole flower. As soon as hot water hits it, the liquid turns an incredible sapphire blue. As the flower itself slowly drains its fuschia hue into the liquor, the blue fades into a blushing, vibrant pink. Its taste is consistent with previous years: these organic roses brew a vivid, clean, dense, and remarkably soft tea, the pleasure of which is uninterrupted by any astringency. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1-2 flowers\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e100\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e350 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-5 min\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"15g","offer_id":32102743539817,"sku":"","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30g","offer_id":32102743572585,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"60g","offer_id":39620348903529,"sku":"","price":84.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":51636025164056,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A6212.jpg?v=1695599482"},{"product_id":"snow-rose","title":"Snow Rose","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e自然农法 白玫瑰\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHarvest\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eMay 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOrigin\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSuqian, Jiangsu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThese exquisite snow roses are from Suqian, Jiangsu Province – a place where roses have been cultivated since the Tang Dynasty, for roughly 1300 years. They are materfully farmed, without chemicals or fertilizers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOnce the fresh rose buds are picked, they are allowed to air dry naturally and slowly over the course of 2 weeks. Nothing else is added to them before they are finished for use as tea. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDrinking the tea of white roses is an enchanting experience: it is both more subdued and more sweet than tea from a red rose. These buds brew a muted, golden liquor that feels silky in the mouth. The tea is very pretty, and very floral, with undertones of clover honey and hay.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 34.1712%;\"\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 62.925%;\"\u003e3g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 34.1712%;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 62.925%;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e100\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 34.1712%;\"\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 62.925%;\"\u003e250 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 34.1712%;\"\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 62.925%;\"\u003e2-5 min\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 34.1712%;\"\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"width: 62.925%;\"\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39626595500137,"sku":"","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":39626595532905,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A9886_c3c2fe1d-8191-4a98-a613-7a2f817987f6.jpg?v=1697589755"},{"product_id":"hojitate","title":"Kaga Hojitate","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e加贺二采焙茶\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKaga, Ishikawa\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMaruhachi Tea Factory was founded in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture in 1863. This tea factory has been making the finest roasted teas for six generations, from the Edo Period to the present day. They have maintained their reputation by focusing on the quality and parts of the tea tree used, the consistent blending of the tea stems, and their refined method for roasting them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBetween the Edo Period and the Showa Period, tea trees were cultivated in what is now Kaga City of Ishikawa Prefecture. Tea production was quite large at the time, with many teas from Kaga being exported to the US. At this scale of production, tea leaves were harvested by machine, a process by which stems are mixed in with the tea leaves. After machine harvest, the leaves are separated and used to make sencha, gyokuro and matcha. It came to be that the left over stems would be roasted and enjoyed by the local people of Kaga: this is the origin of “stem tea,” or bocha.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAfter many years of practice with roasting tea, Maruhachi Tea Factory was asked to produce the finest quality bocha for Emperor Showa, the 124th emperor of Japan, who happened to favour roasted teas as he grew older.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhat gives Maruhachi Tea Factory's teas its clean and complex fragrance is the traditional roasting method the stems go through. There are two methods of roasting tea in Japan. One is the direct-fire method, in which tea leaves and\/or stems are roasted directly on a hot iron plate. The second, and more time consuming one, is a sand-roasting method by which leaves and stems are mixed with sand, and then roasted. In this way, the tea is heated slowly and indirectly by the radiating sand. The warm sand gradually transfers heat to the center of the tender stems, bringing out the umami and complexity of first harvest tea without over-roasting. With the direct-fire method, the one most commonly used for hojichas, the roasted tea has a strong aroma and taste, and brews a dark liquor. With sand-roasting, the tea liquor is lighter in colour, and has a more nuanced aroma and taste.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSince being founded in 1863, Maruhachi Tea Factory has only ever made bocha using the sand-roasting method. Nowadays, with consideration for food safety, instead of sand Maruhachi uses customized ceramic heaters that slowly roast the stems to the core, just as the sand would.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is a lightly roasted tea made from second harvest stems. While not being made their highest grade stems like the kaga bocha, it still sees the Maruhachi Tea Factory’s signature roasting process. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHojitate certainly has less body and depth than first harvest stem teas, and finishes quickly. Still, it offers a smooth, uncomplicated and high quality experience of a day-to-day hojicha and its smoky, incensed aromatics refresh the senses.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet weight \u003c\/strong\u003e100g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHot Brewing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTea\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e4g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e180ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100 °C\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteep time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e30 sec - 120 sec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44726533488920,"sku":"","price":39.5,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/615A3580.jpg?v=1678413675"},{"product_id":"yakushima-hoji-sencha","title":"Hoji-sencha","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e屋久岛焙煎茶\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMay 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYakushima Island, Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of five teas I sourced from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cultivatetea.com\/blogs\/news\/teas-from-yakushima-japan\" title=\"Unexpected finds in Yakushima, Japan\"\u003emy journey to Yakushima Island\u003c\/a\u003e in January 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis unusual tea is made from second harvest sencha that has been roasted, hojicha style. This is not something we see very often, as sencha is a steamed tea! To make this tea the sencha, or the steamed leaves, and the finer leaves are roasted over low heat while the stems are roasted over high heat. The sum of all of these kinds of tea and techniques creates a mysterious and fragrant hybrid that we can only call, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ehojisencha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e. As odd as it sounds, for many Japanese people this tea is nostalgic, and speaks of rural areas that historically have made tea in this manner. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe remote farm on Yakushima that produces this tea does so using natural farming methods, without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Because the tea leaves are grown naturally, the taste is rich in catechins and thus slightly astringent. The flavor and shape of the leaves varies from year to year on account of different weather patterns and insect populations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis tea can be brewed hot or cold, the latter only requiring a bit more tea and a bit more time submerged in water at a low temperature. Either way, hojisencha offers a warmer, more subdued experience of green tea. The roasting process grounds it and brings out the sweetness of the stems and leaves. But this is not to say it isn’t still an intense tea – hojisencha has strong, uplifting energy and a fascinating, full bodied flavour that keeps you wanting for more. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet weight \u003c\/strong\u003e100\u003cspan\u003eg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTea\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e4g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e150ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e100 °C\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteep time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e10 sec - 90 sec\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\" data-mce-style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e6\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44733033873688,"sku":"","price":28.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/615A3840.jpg?v=1678472365"},{"product_id":"thirteen-years-cave-aged-liubao","title":"Thirteen-years Cave-Aged Liubao","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e13年陈六堡\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHarvest\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eApril 2010\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLiu Bao, Guangxi\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is a very refined example of Liu Bao tea, made entirely from the youngest first harvest leaves from Liu Bao, Wuzhou, Guangxi. The tea was crafted in the spring of 2010, and then aged in an underground cave for 10 years. We purchased it when it was released from the cave in 2020, and have been aging it ourselves for the last 3 years. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBrewing it now, we are quite astounded by the quality of this Liu Bao. Its luminous, ruby red liquor darkens throughout infusions, becoming increasingly dense with colour and weighty in the mouth, but no less clear in both taste and appearance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAs we would expect from a tea that spent so many years in a cave, we taste wet rocks and mineral pitch. It has a ferment quality similar to ripe pu’erh, but is less viscous and lighter in feel. In fact, the taste of this cave aged Liu Bao is almost a perfect opposite of sweetness: its uplifting mineral notes and wet-earth flavour leaves us feeling clarified, and with re-calibrated senses. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e*It occurs to us that, in 2023, this tea is red enough to perhaps offer cellular protection for those born in the year of the rabbit \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable data-mce-fragment=\"1\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e4 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTemperature\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e100\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e120 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e10 - 90 sec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e10+\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":45510318129432,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":45510318162200,"sku":"","price":98.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":45510318194968,"sku":"","price":190.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A2058.jpg?v=1688058262"},{"product_id":"two-years-cave-aged-liubao","title":"Two-years Cave-aged Liubao","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e2年陈六堡\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHarvest\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eApril 2020\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLiu Bao, Guangxi\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is a great introductory Liu Bao tea, made entirely from the youngest first harvest leaves from Liu Bao, Wuzhou, Guangxi. The tea was crafted in the spring of 2020, and then aged in an underground cave for 2 years. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eLiu Bao can be aged for a very long time, and we consider this 2 year aged tea a lighter and more refreshing version of Liu Bao. The liquor it brew is a beautiful burnt-orange colour that darkens throughout infusions. It smells like dusty, broken stone, and as we drink it we feel it rinsing us out and hydrating the body. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eLiu Bao has a ferment quality similar to ripe pu’erh, but is less viscous and lighter in feel. In fact, the taste of this cave aged Liu Bao is almost a perfect opposite of sweetness: its uplifting mineral notes and wet-earth flavour leaves us clarified, and with recalibrated senses. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable data-mce-fragment=\"1\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e4 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTemperature\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e100\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e120 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e10 - 90 sec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e10+\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":45510316720408,"sku":"","price":16.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"50g","offer_id":45510316753176,"sku":"","price":32.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":45510316785944,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g","offer_id":45510316818712,"sku":"","price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g","offer_id":45510316851480,"sku":"","price":104.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A7479.jpg?v=1690951008"},{"product_id":"seeds-of-virtue-2017-copy","title":"Charcoal Roasted Tibetan Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e古道烘培藏茶\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpring 2015\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYa'an, Sichuan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTibetan tea has a history that can be traced back more than 2000 years. Tea was an important commodity, worth more than porcelain and silk, traded between the tea region Ya’an, of Sichuan, and the holy Tibetan city of Lhasa. To be traded the tea was transported along the Ancient Tea Horse Road, a historic passageway that stretches 2250 km, from Ya’an to Lhasa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea Horse Road remains one of the highest and harshest trails in Asia, passing from the verdant valleys of Sichuan, through the snow capped Tibetan Plateau, the freezing Yangtze and Mekong Rivers, before ascending 17,000 ft into the mysterious Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains to finally reach Lhasa. On horse, the entire journey would take 3 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea was first brought to Tibet during the Tang Dynasty in AD 641. Tibetan royalty and nomads loved tea for a few different reasons. First, because it was a hot beverage in a cold climate. Secondly, at such high elevations, Tibetans could not grow many vegetables, so tea was an important part of their diet and a powerful source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Traditionally, tea was blended with local yak butter to make a distinctive salty, oily and calorie dense drink that served as a mini-meal for herders. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTibetan tea is usually made with older tea leaves and stems, and is considered a type of dark or fermented tea. Like pu’erh, it is traditionally pressed into bricks for ease of transport and storage. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the 11th century, tea had become the prime trading commodity between China and Tibet. For 130 pounds of tea the Chinese would get a single horse, that they then used on battlefields in the North, defending their country against Genghis Khan. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Tibetan tea, from Ya’an, Sichuan, is made from younger tea leaves harvested on Mengding Mountain. It was fermented, and then slowly roasted. The roasting process gives it a warming character, and an aroma reminiscent of toffee cake. It is bright and lean, with a very comforting mouthfeel and a fruity finish that tastes like raw cacao and dried apricot. This tea is gently uplifting, and a delicious pick-me-up for the summertime, as it is not drying or tannic.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e100\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 - 60 sec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":51647372689688,"sku":null,"price":24.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":51647372722456,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":51647372755224,"sku":null,"price":92.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20260203_Cultivate_17362_WEB.jpg?v=1770357780"},{"product_id":"jasmine-tibetan-tea","title":"Jasmine Tibetan Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e古道茉莉花藏茶\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpring 2015\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYa'an, Sichuan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTibetan tea has a history that can be traced back more than 2000 years. Tea was an important commodity, worth more than porcelain and silk, traded between the tea region Ya’an, of Sichuan, and the holy Tibetan city of Lhasa. To be traded the tea was transported along the Ancient Tea Horse Road, a historic passageway that stretches 2250 km, from Ya’an to Lhasa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea Horse Road remains one of the highest and harshest trails in Asia, passing from the verdant valleys of Sichuan, through the snow capped Tibetan Plateau, the freezing Yangtze and Mekong Rivers, before ascending 17,000 ft into the mysterious Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains to finally reach Lhasa. On horse, the entire journey would take 3 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea was first brought to Tibet during the Tang Dynasty in AD 641. Tibetan royalty and nomads loved tea for a few different reasons. First, because it was a hot beverage in a cold climate. Secondly, at such high elevations, Tibetans could not grow many vegetables, so tea was an important part of their diet and a powerful source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Traditionally, tea was blended with local yak butter to make a distinctive salty, oily and calorie dense drink that served as a mini-meal for herders. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTibetan tea is usually made with older tea leaves and stems, and is considered a type of dark or fermented tea. Like pu’erh, it is traditionally pressed into bricks for ease of transport and storage. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the 11th century, tea had become the prime trading commodity between China and Tibet. For 130 pounds of tea the Chinese would get a single horse, that they then used on battlefields in the North, defending their country against Genghis Khan. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Tibetan tea from Ya’an, Sichuan is from younger leaves that were harvested on Mengding Mountain. It was fermented, slow roasted, and then scented with fresh jasmine flowers that were harvested in Sichuan. As we would expect from such high quality jasmine flowers, the scent of this tea is very striking: enticing, baked, sweet, and intoxicatingly floral. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jasmine overlaid on this otherwise very gentle fermented tea feels heady and nostalgic. The flowers sweeten its taste, bringing out the tea’s jujube and cakey qualities. In the most pleasant way, we’re reminded of drugstore jasmine candies. The tea is consistent through several infusions, gradually transporting us to the fields of flowers that Sichuan is known for. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e100\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 - 60 sec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":51647421939992,"sku":null,"price":26.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":51647421972760,"sku":null,"price":52.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":51647422005528,"sku":null,"price":102.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20260203_Cultivate_17610_WEB.jpg?v=1770358065"},{"product_id":"roasted-black-bean-kurodamaru-copy","title":"Tamba Roasted Black Bean","description":"\u003cp\u003e丹波黒豆茶\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoasted On\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFebruary 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTamba, Hyogo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOdagaki Shōten is located directly in Tamba Sasayama, a historic agricultural region in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan. This 300 year old company is widely credited for Tamba black bean’s popularity throughout Japan. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo this day, they work directly with regional growers. Their black bean tea is hand sorted and net-roasted over direct flame with far-infrared heat; a very old technique that produces a clean, crisp taste with a deep roasted aroma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes Tamba Black different from other black soybeans is primarily time: a standard black soybean matures in about 70 days, whereas Tamba Black takes about 100. Longer maturation time means that the beans absorb more nutrients, grow larger, and develop a richer, sweeter, more full-bodied flavour. \u2028\u003cbr\u003eWe are honoured to be the first shop outside of Japan to carry products from Odagaki Shōten. After agreeing to work with us they spent 6 months preparing a special batch of black bean tea for Cultivate. The first batch we received is only 12 kg, so it will certainly be treasured. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a final stage of crafting this tea Odagaki Shōten breaks the beans apart into pieces that are the perfect size for brewing, so the tea itself looks a bit like crumbled cacao. It brews a cloudy liquor that slowly turns plum colour as the pieces of bean settle in the carafe. The smell and taste of the strained liquor is incredible, and somewhat unexpected – like coffee, but without any acidity. It has a broth-like mouthfeel and a sharp, sweet finish. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis delicious, caffeine free tea can be enjoyed hot or chilled. Enjoy it knowing that it has many health benefits, and is considered a beauty tonic in Japan. It is very comforting to drink in the evening, after dinner, and you will not have to worry about it affecting your sleep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5g \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e100\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-10 min\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"100g Bag","offer_id":52017007591704,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g Bag","offer_id":52017007624472,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300g Bag","offer_id":52017007657240,"sku":null,"price":68.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20260505_Cultivate_0521_WEB.jpg?v=1778731383"}],"url":"https:\/\/cultivatetea.com\/collections\/better-sleep.oembed","provider":"Cultivate Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}