{"title":"Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlack teas are the most oxidized type of tea. The hallmark of every black tea in our collection is that it is not bitter or astringent. Brewed correctly, fine black teas are sweet, floral, and honeyed, with a rich and luxurious mouthfeel.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"osmanthus-laoshan-black","title":"Osmanthus Laoshan Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eOsmanthus flowers are extremely ephemeral. Their trees bloom once a year for two weeks in October. In a village nestled within the cliffs of Mount Lao, where Osmanthus trees are indigenous, this is an unmistakable event. For a short time, the area is filled with the incredibly sweet smell of the flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tiny blossoms fall nearly as soon as they have opened, covering the ground in a tangerine snow. In their descent they fill the air with what appear like dancing fairies, animated by the wind. There are only three days when the flowers may be harvested and still retain the intensity of their smell. During this time Grandmothers in Laoshan collect them by hand, as has been a local custom for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea leaves are long known to have the remarkable capacity to absorb and preserve the scent of flowers that would otherwise disappear. However, the process of scenting tea leaves is laborious and long-developed; it began in the Southern Song Dynasty more than 1000 years ago. It requires a careful understanding of the ratio of flower to tea, and several rounds of infusions to achieve a lasting transfer of the flower's otherwise fleeting scent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Tang and his family, who operate a small team farm with plots scattered at the base of Mount Lao, are known for their skill with traditional scenting. These tea leaves were harvested by Mr. Tang's mother and grandmother, then scented by his uncle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing scenting the Tangs have left some of the dried flowers amongst the dried tea. When we brew it, the tiny flowers dance under water, much like they did as they fell from the tree. While this tea appears to consist of two distinct things, the qualities of the osmanthus and the Laoshan black have blended to become one single, indistinguishable flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTogether, they make for an incredibly sweet hybrid, with notes like chocolate, orange, Grand Marnier, and even Ferrero Rocher. After several infusions the scent of the osmanthus dissipates and we are left with the deep, soothing warmth of a soft Laoshan black. It is needless to say, this is a very pleasurable drink.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32102963511401,"sku":"","price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32102963544169,"sku":"","price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32102963576937,"sku":"","price":115.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/osmanthuslaoshanblack.jpg?v=1774102244"},{"product_id":"lapsang-souchong","title":"Lapsang Souchong 2012 Reserve","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis traditional Zhenshan Xiaozhong, or \"Lapsang Souchong,\" comes from Mali Village in the Tongmuguan region of Wuyishan. At 1600 m above sea level, Mali Village sits at the highest mountain peak within this area. This high altitude region, which sees a great deal of rainfall, suspended fog, and drastic fluctuations in temperature throughout the day, produces some of the best black teas in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis should not be read as a platitude: Tongmuguan is known as the birthplace of black tea, and is one of the most revered tea regions in China. The expanse of healthy, mountainous forest here is breathtaking. Tea plants grow strong and resilient here, scattered throughout the steep hills, supported by the diverse forest, and sheltered by bamboo trees and rocky outcroppings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leaves for this Lapsang Souchong come from these semi-wild groves of tea trees. Once picked, they are slow-smoked in a small wooden house. This structure was built out of local pine in the 1930's and has been used continuously since, developing complex layers of aroma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditional lapsang souchong is distinctly smokey, but not overpowering. The notes of smoke, ash, and forest are integrated with the sap-like sweetness of the oxidized tea leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile still caffeinated, this tea is deeply soothing. Perhaps because its gentle warmth feels like a perfect inverse of the cool, wet, challenging conditions that produce it. It is, by nature, restorative, offering what some describe as a spa-like experience.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32102929989737,"sku":"","price":65.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32102930022505,"sku":"","price":130.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":39283116245097,"sku":"","price":250.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/lapsangsouchong.jpg?v=1774102120"},{"product_id":"laoshan-black","title":"Laoshan Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis tea is crafted by Mr. Tang, whose family are generational tea farmers in Laoshan Mountain of Qingdao, Shandong. Located along the coastline in Northeastern China, Laoshan is named after Mount Lao, a magnificent mountain range recognized by its striking elongated cliffs that run alongside the ocean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome of the small plots that make up Mr. Tang's tea farm are distributed along the beaches, exposed to the salty wind that blows off of the water, while others are tucked slightly up into the forested hills, protected by the pine trees and the mountain behind them. The tranquility of Mr. Tang's tea farm is resounding, and extends between its many parts. Following a path that connects the plots next to the ocean to the ones tucked away in the forest, the sound of the waves progressively gives way to the sound of forest birds and running springs and the scent of the ocean turns into the scent of red pines and green plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeas from Laoshan have a distinct taste when compared to other teas from Southern China. The mountain minerals and the cooler temperatures give them richness, and the wet air coming off of the ocean imparts umami and an unmistakable saline taste to them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis harvest brews an especially bright liquor that looks sharp and distilled. The dried, curled leaves appear like metal shavings in the gaiwan. They deliver a refreshing 'upwards energy,' reminding us of the energetics of Japanese green teas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeas from Laoshan are also known for their soothing, chocolaty undertone, and this one is no exception. These warm, rich notes provide a beautiful foundation for this tea's sencha-like qualities. We are appreciating the clearing aspects of this year's harvest, and its direct expression of its unique terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32102928416873,"sku":"","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32102928449641,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32102928482409,"sku":"","price":86.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A7177.jpg?v=1705161422"},{"product_id":"meizhan-black","title":"Meizhan Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eA long-standing tea in our Core Collection, Meizhan Black represents everything we love about black teas from Yunnan. The varietal, Meizhan, originated in the Fujian province, and is well known for its sweetness and high fragrance. Today we see most Meizhan coming out of Wuyishan, Fujian where it is crafted into exceptionally aromatic oolong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1978 The Fengqing Institute of Tea brought Meizhan trees from Wuyishan into Yunnan for research. A small-scale experiment was carried out in the area of Fengqing, investigating the effects that this terroir would have on the varietal. After nearly 40 years of continuous experimentation, the institute has made a black tea that maintains the characteristics of the Meizhan varietal, while also expressing the incredible terroir of Yunnan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe always enjoy welcoming back the intoxicating, honeyed scent of Meizhan Black. The 2024 harvest exemplifies what we have come to love about this black tea: there is no sourness, no acidity, and so much sweetness in it that it is a tea enjoyed by everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the gaiwan it smells like ripe, fuzzy fruit underlaid with dried roses. The clarity of its flavour increases through infusions, drinking like honey water infused with fruit and flowers. One can wander through its taste like they would an orchard in the summer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":28138374889577,"sku":"","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32744578154601,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32744578187369,"sku":"","price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A9624.jpg?v=1697589651"},{"product_id":"rocky-black","title":"Rocky Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eRocky Black comes to us from one of our well-respected tea foragers, Mr. Fan, also aptly known as \"Hunter.\" Mr. Fan is a unique tea artisan in that he does not own any land himself, and does not work with a tea farm. Rather, he focuses on crafting tea from wild and semi-wild abandoned tea trees in the mountains; his wealth lies in his understanding of their location and seasonal rhythms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is made from wild tea trees that grow around the ancient Tianzhu Village. They are suspected to be around 100 years old, situated within thousands of acres of old growth forest at around 3600 feet above sea level. In the vast forest they grow to be about 8 feet tall, competing with a variety of other types of trees for precious, diffused sunlight. Thus, their roots extend deep into the earth to draw nutrients, and they grow slowly, accumulating these rich nutrients and compounds in their leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn odd feature of the trees that give us Rocky Black is that, at some point during their long lives, they have gone through a slight mutation. Now, when new leaves start to form in the spring, they do so without buds — instead of budding, two small leaves are formed simultaneously — an interesting strategy that we've never seen before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the leaves are harvested they are baked over charcoal at low temperatures for around 48 hours. The result is a round, sugary and complex black tea with fascinating woody and mineral notes. It combines very pleasurable tastes, like sweet jujubes, with intriguing ones, like sandalwood and wet stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly special tea in our core collection. Aside from being from wild, old grove, mutant trees, it is a tea that we see people form long lasting connections to. For many, Rocky Black is a tea that, once they've tried it, they will keep returning to. We never tire of its qualities, however distinct they may be.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32102895681641,"sku":"","price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32102895714409,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32102895747177,"sku":"","price":95.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/rocky_black_677757cb-6c9e-4f2d-ba05-2430c8b0929b.jpg?v=1782428363"},{"product_id":"wild-honeybush-black","title":"Wild Honeybush Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eWild Honeybush comes to us from one of our well-respected tea foragers, Mr. Fan, also aptly known as \"Hunter.\" Mr. Fan is a unique tea artisan in that he does not own any land himself, and does not work with a tea farm. Rather, he focuses on crafting tea from wild and semi-wild abandoned tea trees in the mountains; his wealth lies in his understanding of their location and seasonal rhythms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWild Honeybush is made from tea trees that are over 100 years old. They grow wild, at an elevation of 4000 ft, around the village of Zhenghe. The trees are a small-leaf varietal, native to the vast alpine forests in the area. In these old growth forests the wild tea trees compete with a variety of other types of trees, all seeking precious, diffused sunlight. At such high altitudes they are challenged by the wind and the quickly changing conditions. Thus, the roots of the tea trees must extend deep into the earth to anchor themselves and draw nutrients. They grow slowly, accumulating these rich nutrients and compounds in their leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe craftsmanship of Wild Honeybush is somewhat experimental. It integrates aspects of the traditional craftsmanship of Fujian Oolong into the process for crafting a Fujian black tea. This means that the tea is charcoal roasted in two rounds, accentuating the complexity and minerality of the tea leaves. The result is a particularly perfumed and robust black tea with mineral qualities that remind us of an oolong. Its scent is particularly intriguing: like ashes, cinnamon, and dried flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32102880215145,"sku":"","price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32102880247913,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32102880280681,"sku":"","price":95.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/wild_honeybush_e0a9d4f9-7ccc-42c7-8d37-2828153f25be.jpg?v=1782428361"},{"product_id":"semi-wild-old-bush-black","title":"Roasted Rock 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003eRoasted Rock comes to us from one of our well-respected tea foragers, Mr. Fan, also aptly known as \"Hunter.\" Mr. Fan is a unique tea artisan in that he does not own any land himself, and does not work with a tea farm. Rather, he focuses on crafting tea from wild and semi-wild abandoned tea trees in the mountains; his wealth lies in his understanding of their location and seasonal rhythms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is made from tea trees that were planted by tea farmers in the 1980's, and then abandoned as people left the villages for coastal cities. The tea trees are situated within thousands of acres of old growth forest, more than 3600 feet above sea level, where there is minimal human intervention. They grew from seeds that were washed downstream from a river that runs through the middle of the forest. In these vast, old growth forests, the wild tea trees compete with a variety of other types of trees for precious, diffused sunlight. Thus, the roots of the tea trees extend deep into the earth to draw nutrients, and they grow slowly, accumulating these rich nutrients and compounds in their leaves. We feel this richness in the tea they yield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt harvest time their young leaves are hand picked and then oxidized, before being roasted to completion over charcoal. During this process Roasted Rock is oxidized slightly more than most black teas, and we taste this in the deeper qualities it foregrounds. The wet leaves are a very dark, deep purple colour — they look strong and shiny, like arame seaweed. The nose is earthy and perfumed, like aged wood. The leaves brew an auburn liquor that, despite its strong appearance and characteristics, feels very smooth and somewhat bright on the palate. This is an atmospheric tea. Like incense, it broadens the senses, bringing both peace and awareness.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32102876086377,"sku":"","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32102876119145,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32102876151913,"sku":"","price":84.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/roasted_rock_424bea45-801f-4741-81b3-1636950b024b.jpg?v=1782428362"},{"product_id":"rose-keemun-gold","title":"Rose Keemun Gold","description":"\u003cp\u003eRose Keemun Gold is an experimental small-batch tea made with the highest grade Keemun black tea from Qimen county, Anhui province. What makes this black tea particularly special is that it has been very successfully scented with freshly harvested heirloom roses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe art of scenting tea leaves with fresh flowers is a centuries-old tradition, dating back to the Song Dynasty. Modern methods have come to favour quick integration, meaning that usually a \"rose scented black tea\" will simply mean that either rose oil, extract or flavoring has been added to dried tea leaves. This tea was made with the intention to honour ancestral knowledge, thus great effort and attention was dedicated to the traditional scenting process in its craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Keemun black tea used for it is crafted in April and then held for when the China roses bloom in July. As the roses begin to open the craftsmen bring the Keemun tea to the flowers, where they are able to scent the tea with their strongest and freshest aroma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scenting is best done in small batches and by hand to ensure even distribution. Equal amounts of the freshly picked China roses are scattered over the Keemun Gold tea. They lay together overnight, then the craftsmen separate the rose petals from the tea leaves the following day. Afterwards the tea is slowly roasted over charcoal for a few hours. This batch of Keemun Gold underwent two rounds of scenting with fresh roses, and as a result, has captured so much of the essence of the roses you would swear they are blooming nearby when you brew it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe liquor this tea is a rich, golden orange colour. The flavour of roses it carries is vivid and alive - we feel the flowers' oil, perfume, and plant matter all together. The subtle tannins of the Keemun black lift the roses upwards into our palates, causing the flowers to fill our head. After a few infusions, as the liquor deepens in its copper hue, the nutrients and ascorbic acid of the roses emerge, offering us something both intoxicating and deeply soothing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":33094866468969,"sku":"","price":52.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":33096595996777,"sku":"","price":100.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-feb-17-tea-thumbnail-v3-0056.jpg?v=1740527874"},{"product_id":"yuzu-gold-guanyin","title":"Yuzu \u0026 Gold Guanyin","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere is an unmissable floral quality to the scent of yuzu, while it references almost every citrus imaginable — grapefruit, sweet orange, bergamot, lime. The complexity of its scent is so beguiling we want to keep returning to it, like a puzzle one can never quite solve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYuzu is believed to have originated along the Yangtze River in China. It is a hybrid of an ancient lime, called Ichang Papeda 宜昌橙, and a sour mandarin orange. Depending on its ripeness it appears in many vibrant colours - yellow, orange, or green - with dense, dimpled peels. Yuzu first arrived in Japan, where it is now far more common, during the Tang Dynasty over 1000 years ago. While yuzu has since become widely cultivated in Japan and integrated into Japanese cooking, it is very rare in China, with only a few farms still growing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are amazed to have found this Gold Guanyin black tea scented with yuzu from one of the few farms in China that still grows it. This tea is extremely rare, not only for its use of Chinese yuzu, but also for the meticulous process in which the black tea is scented by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this tea the scent of both unripe and ripe yuzu have been transferred to semi-wild Guanyin tea leaves from Longquan. Through the careful scenting process, this rich black tea has captured and preserved the intense, aromatic oils of the citrus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo do this unripened, green yuzu was harvested early in September. Each yuzu was peeled by hand, their rinds were broken apart into pieces, spread out on wide, bamboo trays, and then layered with tea leaves. The tea and peel rest in the open air for 12 hours like this, then the trays are baked at low temperatures to ensure all of the citrus' oils have transferred to the tea leaves. This process is repeated with the sweeter, and riper, orange yuzu near the end of October. The tea was then transferred to a sealed container and combined with dried peels, both green and orange, that have been crushed into very small pieces. When you prepare this tea you will see the little pieces of citrus peel reanimate, looking almost fluorescent amongst the dark tea leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaturated with aromatic oils from the yuzu peels, this tea is intensely fragrant. On the palate the bright citrus taste comes first, then finishes with sweet, caramel notes from the black tea. This tea is as compelling as yuzu is, balanced by the soothing and earthy qualities of the semi-wild Guanyin. It is also tireless: the scent of yuzu lingers in the room after many infusions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39331818405993,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":39477539340393,"sku":"","price":86.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/yuzu.jpg?v=1774102191"},{"product_id":"2015-wild-old-grove-lapsang-souchong-unsmoked","title":"Wild Lapsang Souchong Unsmoked","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rarely available, eleven-years aged, unsmoked Lapsang Souchong from a grove of wild 100-years old tea trees in the historic Tongmuguan County of Fujian Province. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLapsang Souchong is the direct translation of the tea's Chinese name: 正山小种. The first two characters 正山 translate loosely into \"The mountain\" or \"the correct\/right mountain\", and 小种 translate into \"small leaf varietal\". Therefore, Lapsang Souchong essentially means \"black tea made from the small-leaf varietal tea trees originating from the mountain of Tongmuguan County\". Lapsang Souchong has two variations: smoked or unsmoked. Usually, in the West, only the smoked variation is available. However the unsmoked variation is more popular with Chinese tea connoisseurs. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLapsang Souchong is a historic tea - as the world's first black tea, it is the origin of all black teas. Legend has it that a tea farmer in Tongmuguan was in the process of making green tea, but was interrupted suddenly by intruding troops from the neighbouring village. When the tea farmer came back, the green tea had already oxidized into much darker leaves and had developed an unfamiliar smell. The tea farmer attempted to hide the unfamiliar aroma by smoking the tea leaves over pine wood. At the time, there were many English and Dutch traders in Tongmuguan trading tea, and they immediately fell in love with this new type of tea that was full-bodied, sweet and smoky. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe English loved Lapsang Souchong so much so that a Englishman named Robert Fortune stole 20,000 tea plants from Tongmuguan, and planted the tea trees in Darjeeling, India as Darjeeling is at same latitude as Tongmuguan. This is the beginning of Indian black teas. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTongmuguan is one of the most beautiful, pristine tea origins we have visited. A protected Nature's Reserve, it is two hours away from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province by car. Only local villagers are allowed entry into Tongmuguan County - a checkpoint is in place at the beginning of the winding road leading into Tongmuguan, and no tourists are allowed inside the County.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Lapsang Souchong is from Hangdun, the most sought-after village in Tongmuguan County, and one of only 7 villages where authentic Lapsang Souchong originates from. Situated at 4000 ft above sea level, Hangdun is usually surrounded by clouds and fog. The drive up to Hangdun is astonishingly beautiful – a winding road takes you along magnificent cliffs marked with crystalline streams of water, where waterfalls cascade off of every peak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCentury-old wild tea trees grow here, scattered amongst the gigantic bamboo forest. Their branches and trunks are covered with moss, indicating both their age and their vitality. Both stems and leaves were picked from them to make this tea. Similar to what we see in many white teas, these rustic stems make this tea suitable for aging, as the stems have more nutrients and enzymatic compounds in them that preserve the tea and develop character over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a captivating and delicious black tea. Six-years of age has made it very smooth and settled, and we can better taste its subtleties compared to the stronger, more direct experience of a newer tea. On the palate, it is soft and refined: milky, floral qualities are underlaid with beautiful woody notes. We find hints of Chinese jujube dates, sandalwood, and orchids blended by age to the point where they are almost indiscernible.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39845346246761,"sku":"","price":55.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/IMG_2605-2.jpg?v=1643600127"},{"product_id":"yunnan-red-heicha","title":"Yunnan Red Heicha","description":"\u003cp\u003eHeicha is a fermented tea from the Hunan province in China. It is a lesser known tea, however its craftsmanship has a very rich tradition worth describing in detail. The preparation of Hei Cha dates back to the Tang Dynasty in the 9th century. Traditionally there are ten steps in crafting it: the tea is fermented, steamed, slowly roasted over charcoal, and then compressed into dense bricks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the wonder of Hei Cha, and why it is so highly regarded, is that, as the brick of tea ages, many little \"golden flowers\" form on it. These flowers are a probiotic called Eurotium cristatum. Over centuries of human interaction with them, these golden flowers have come to be understood as a very precious substance. Firstly, they contain enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of proteins in tea leaves, turning them into sugars, thus making the tea taste sweeter and more smooth. Secondly, the golden flowers convert the polyphenols in tea into beneficial and more available substances for the human body. Eurotium Cristatum is also found in thousand-year old reishi and cordyceps mushrooms, and has been the subject of medical research for a very long time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile its makers use very traditional craftsmanship and work in small batches, this Yunnan Red Hei Cha is an experimental tea. Normally Hei Cha would be prepared using tea from big-leaf trees high in the mist-covered mountains of the Hunan province. With this tea, the makers have used black tea from the Yunnan province instead. The black tea from Yunnan, harvested in 2018, is a blend of delicate bud-and-leaves from 300 years old arbor trees. When fermented as a Hei Cha, it is transformed into something a bit unbelievable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is as though this experiment has added an invisible milk to the Yunnan black. The enzymes from fermentation have produced an incredible softness, and a sweetness. In the mouth, the spaces in the structured tannins of the black tea have been filled with something dense and even. When the tea is first prepared it tastes like dulce de leche. After a few infusions the sweetness gives way to the taste of dried leaves. The auburn coloured liquor gradually intensifies with each infusion - never getting as dark as a fermented pu'erh, but still pointing towards the earth. For being so fascinating, it is a very comforting and grounding tea to drink.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39916523782249,"sku":"","price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":39916523815017,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/IMG_4415_0603a363-bb86-4487-a855-6d43cd54c127.jpg?v=1646956312"},{"product_id":"ms-qiongs-heritage-red","title":"Ms. Qiong's Heritage Red","description":"\u003cp\u003eHeritage Red is a very special tea for Ms. Qiong. She crafts it every year as a tribute to her late father, inspired by memories she has of watching him make tea when she was young. It is made from the leaves of a small plot of tea trees he planted on their family property in Xiufeng Village in the 1970's.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trees are a rare heirloom varietal, indigenous to the region, which were largely cut down in the 1980's in favour of higher yield varietals with uniform leaves. These trees are farmed regeneratively by Ms. Qiong, as part of her greater practice of rebalancing and listening to the land.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Spring she harvests the leaves during the daytime and crafts the tea by hand at night. It is extremely labour intensive, as she performs every step on her own. Working this way, and following traditional methods, Ms. Qiong produces a very small amount of tea each year. This practice is truly a labour of love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis gentle black tea is perfect for warmer seasons. Its sweet, floral notes echo all the beautiful blooms we see around us in the spring: cherry blossoms, magnolias, plum blossoms, lilacs... You'll also find notes of vanilla, toasted sesame, and the aromatics of honey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe also taste \u003cem\u003etea\u003c\/em\u003e very specifically here, and notice that there is something especially unmediated about all of Ms. Qiong's teas. With the holistic support Ms. Qiong provides her whole garden, and her indirect approach to caring for the tea trees themselves, the tea expresses itself very clearly. Tasting for this philosophy of gardening adds an extra dimension to the enjoyment of Heritage Red.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39998601101417,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40223667355753,"sku":"","price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/msqiongheritagered.jpg?v=1784989722"},{"product_id":"sun-dried-red","title":"Sun-Dried Red","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn recent years, as the world of tea drinkers have come to understand more about Yunnan's Big Leaf Varietals, Sun Dried black tea from these trees has gained popularity. We consider it an experimental tea as it takes regional methods traditionally used in making raw pu'erh – that is, using only the sun to dry the tea leaves – and applies this technique towards crafting a black tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Tang made this tea from the leaves of tea trees that he planted himself almost 20 years ago. The tea trees are the indigenous varietal called \"Jinggu Big White,\" and one-bud-two-leaves are harvested at the first flush of the season, (the same time as the Green Peony white tea sprouts). His small tea farm is maintained naturally, using regenerative and biodynamic methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is only the third year that Mr. Tang has made a Sun Dried Black. In crafting this tea he has experimented with making it from leaves harvested in the Spring. Usually we would expect black teas made from Spring harvest leaves to be slightly bitter and astringent. However, in his experiment with using only heat from the sun to dry the leaves, Mr. Tang was surprised to find that the tea was not bitter or astringent at all – rather, it had a very unique and pleasant taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea is a golden colour that maintains its intensity throughout many infusions. It is surprisingly light on the palate, with bright tannins. At first it has a delicate lemon flavour, followed immediately by the taste of heavy milk. This distinct acid-base sequence made us curious to shake the tea over ice and see if it would do something akin to emulsifying. And it did! – it turned opaque and frothed, like the original Boba.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter preparing Sun-Dried Red the broad wet leaves are amazing to look at: their substance is dense and even, as if they are made out of red clay.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":40240113844329,"sku":"","price":28.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40240113877097,"sku":"","price":56.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":40240113909865,"sku":"","price":108.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/sundriedred.jpg?v=1774102338"},{"product_id":"sun-dried-dragon-pearl","title":"Sun-Dried Dragon Pearl","description":"\u003cp\u003eShuangjang Mengku, in the Lincang Prefecture of Yunnan, is home to some of the oldest tea trees in the world. People have been making ancient-style black tea here for centuries. Sun dried black teas represent the oldest style of craftsmanship native to this region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSun dried black teas of Lincang are made with a very unique craftsmanship. Their method of preparation involves steps that we recognize from both the crafting of raw pu'erh and of traditional white tea. The leaves for Sun-Dried Dragon Pearls come from 200 year old trees, and their preparation includes withering, kneading, oxidation, and natural sun-drying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result of this ancient, hybrid method is a tea that may not be immediately recognizable as a black tea. The energetics of it are more akin to a pu'erh, offering a very generative and grounding feeling in the body. The liquor is malty and glutinous, with subtle notes of ferment and hay, and a mineral density which signals the age and vitality of the trees these tea leaves have come from. The slow oxidation and sun drying has preserved the active compounds in these leaves, and along with them, the delicate flower-petal notes we would associate with a naturally dried white tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSun-dried Red Dragon Pearls conjures a time when tea was less settled in its categories, and represents the shared origins of many traditional teas we love for discrete reasons today. For this, and for the nourishing effect it has on drinkers, it is a very deep tea.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":44631439671576,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":44631439704344,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":44631439737112,"sku":null,"price":116.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/sundrieddragonpearl.jpg?v=1774102296"},{"product_id":"yakushima-earl-grey","title":"Yakushima \"Earl Grey\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Earl Grey,\" perhaps the most widely recognized tea in the Western world, has come to refer to any black tea scented or combined with citrus oil -- most often, that of bergamot. This tea, that the cultivars named Earl Grey, is a special and highly localized take on this popular combination of tea and citrus, and the only Earl Grey that Cultivate carries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYakushima Island is famous for the range of fascinating varieties of oranges and pomelos that grow there. When we visited in January, it was the peak season of ponkan and taikan. Completely enchanted by the qualities of these fruits, we were excited to find an Earl Grey made entirely from plants that grow on Yakushima.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea used to make it is Benifuuki black tea, and it is scented with essential oil naturally extracted from the citrus fruit, bergamot. Bergamot is originally from the Mediterranean, but grows very well in the subtropical climate of Yakushima.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result of this combination is a delicious and refreshing Earl Grey: refreshing in that it is uplifting, and also that it renews our idea of what an Earl Grey tea can be like! It brews a dark amber colour liquor with a well-balanced, full-bodied, and smooth mouthfeel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bergamot oil blends so well with the tannins of the Benifuuki tea, neither overpowers the other, and after a few sips we let go of trying to taste them apart. Together, their complementary qualities emulsify to yield a sweet, bright, and naturally creamy tea.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44655847080216,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/615A4169.jpg?v=1678471033"},{"product_id":"red-jade","title":"Red Jade","description":"\u003cp\u003eRed Jade is a very unique black tea, sometimes elusively referred to as \"No. Eighteen.\" The varietal is a crossbreed of Burmese Assam and Taiwanese oolong, developed over 50 years of research and selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exquisite example of Red Jade is crafted by tea master Li Qifeng, a native of Nantou, Taiwan, who has over two decades of experience crafting Taiwanese oolong. Li's grandfather, Li Shilin, was hailed as one of Taiwan's pioneering tea farmers in the 1960's and his family has been crafting Taiwanese teas for over a century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe feel Li's inherited understanding of tea in this balanced, full bodied Red Jade. The dark, autumnal looking tea leaves smell beautiful, giving off a fresh, minty aroma followed by the sweetness of medjool dates. This tea's warm tannins suspend fruity, apricot flavors across the palate, finishing with a saffron note that draw us deep into its interesting, composite flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":47386054557976,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":47386054590744,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":47386054623512,"sku":null,"price":96.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/redjade.jpg?v=1774038276"}],"url":"https:\/\/cultivatetea.com\/collections\/black\/flavour-deep.oembed","provider":"Cultivate Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}