{"title":"For Bocci","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"meizhan-black","title":"Meizhan Black","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e梅占红茶\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMay 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFengqing, 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\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMeizhan Black represents everything we appreciate about black teas from Yunnan. The varietal, Meizhan, originates in the Fujian province, and is well known for its sweetness and high fragrance. We see most of Meizhan coming out of Wuyishan, Fujian where it is made into exceptionally aromatic oolong.\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;\"\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 that investigated the effects that this terroir would have on Meizhan. After nearly 40 years of continuous trials and experimentation, they have made a black tea that maintains the characteristics of the Meizhan varietal, while also expressing the incredible terroir of Yunnan. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe will always welcome 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 nothing but enjoyable. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\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. We can wander through its taste like we would an orchard in the summer. \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\u003e4 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e95\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\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\u003e8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \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":"osmanthus-laoshan-green","title":"Osmanthus Laoshan Green","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e桂花崂山绿茶\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eOctober 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eQingdao, Shandong\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOsmanthus flowers are extremely ephemeral. Their trees bloom once every year, for two weeks in October. In a village nestled within the cliffs of Mount Lao, an area to which the 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. The tiny blossoms fall nearly as soon as they have opened, covering the ground in a tangerine coloured snow. In their descent they fill the air with what appear like dancing fairies, inflected by the wind. There are only three days when these delicate flowers may be harvested and still retain the intensity of their smell. During this time Grandmothers in the village patiently collect them by hand, as they have for generations in Laoshan. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\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. Mr. Tang’s family, who crafts our Osmanthus Laoshan Green, is known both for their skill at carrying this tradition forward, as well as for the beautiful place where they continue to grow and harvest their tea. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe many small plots that make up Mr. Tang’s tea farm are scattered along the ocean, at the foot of Mount Lao. Some are distributed right along the beaches, exposed to the wind that blows off of the water, while others are tucked slightly up into the forested hills, protected by the mountain behind them. There is a great peace that settles over this area of Laoshan. 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 ocean waves progressively gives way to the sound of forest birds and running springs. There is a remarkable variety of trees along this path. The smell of the ocean gives way to red pines, overlayed with the scent of green plum. These green plum trees surround the small plot of tea tucked into the rocks at the base of Mount Lao. They stand like lace umbrellas, dappling the light as it moves across the shiny leaves of the tea trees below them. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe leaves, harvested by Mr. Tang’s mother and grandmother and then carefully scented by his uncle, remain combined with dried osmanthus flowers in this tea. When we prepare this tea, the flowers will dance in water much like they did in the air as they were falling. However, we must keep in mind that, while this tea appears to consist of two distinct things, the osmanthus and the Laoshan green have blended to become one single, indistinguishable flavour. It is their hybridity we taste for. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eJust looking at this tea will warm your heart, all of the fine spindles of Laoshan tea peppered with the tiny, burnt orange osmanthus flowers. It smells intensely like candy, but tastes very clearing and subtle, finishing with just a touch of sweetness. We notice this as a quality shared by many Autumn teas; it is as though they have come to rinse us, and ready us for Winter’s retreat. \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\u003e3 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\u003e80\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\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\u003e5\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32103155761257,"sku":"","price":28.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32103155794025,"sku":"","price":56.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32103155826793,"sku":"","price":108.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A8832.jpg?v=1698977810"},{"product_id":"jasmine-silver-tips","title":"Jasmine Silver Tips","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e茉莉银针\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eJuly 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eHengxian, Guangxi\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFor this Jasmine Silver Tips, the fresh green tea buds are made into tea in April, and set aside to await the blossoming of the jasmine flowers in July. The fresh jasmine flowers were harvested in late July, and the scenting process lasted for 2 weeks. Traditionally, scenting is done in small batches: tiny jasmine blossoms are scattered with the tea leaves on bamboo mats and left overnight, where the tea leaves gradually absorb the delicate night-aromas of the blossoms. The next morning, craftsmen separate the jasmine flowers from the tea leaves, and the tea is baked over charcoal for a few hours. This Jasmine Silver Tips received 6 traditional rounds of scenting. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe colour of the leaves in this year’s harvest is especially luminous: they look like they are cast in white-gold. There was less jasmine this year due to drought, which has led to a more intense tea, and we can detect this as soon as we smell it in the gaiwan. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen wet, the robust spindles tint an earthy sage colour and float like a snow-covered pile of sticks gathered by a current and suspended on water. The liquor is mouth coating, with a glycerol sensation that paints the inside of our mouths with the robust scent of the jasmine. It finishes with a soft, milky sweetness, uncut by even a hint of astringency. This year’s harvest is a wonderful example of the intensity that can be transmitted by way of gentleness. \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\u003e3 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e90\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\u003e30 sec - 2 min\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\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32102777749609,"sku":"","price":26.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32102777782377,"sku":"","price":52.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32102777815145,"sku":"","price":100.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A2756.jpg?v=1731038116"},{"product_id":"gold-osmanthus","title":"Gold Osmanthus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: currentcolor none 0px; max-width: 100%; font-family: PingFangSC-Ultralight; box-sizing: border-box !important; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; max-width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box!important; word-wrap: break-word!important;\"\u003e百年金桂\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\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\u003eFangting Village, Anxi, Fujian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOur Gold Osmanthus flowers are from centuries-old trees that stand in front of the home of Wang Nianping. Year round, the trees are tended to naturally and no fertilizers or chemicals are ever used. They are harvested exactly as is the tradition of the village, and freeze dried the day they have fallen off their tree. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn abundant bag of perfect little flowers has arrived just in time for Lunar New Year. There is nothing like opening a shipment of freshly harvested Gold Osmanthus; we would try to burrow inside the pile of intoxicating yellow blossoms for the rest of the winter if we could. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe can tell right away that this year’s harvest is more robust than the last. The pigment of the flowers is more concentrated, as is the stimulating yellow of the liquor they brew. The tea tastes intensely fruity: less sweet than previous harvests, but by no means less powerful. The full body and eye-widening tropical notes are so high-impact that this tea actually reminds us of mango juice. Thick and all-encompassing, this year’s Gold Osmanthus promises to coat everything in its bright, nutritive spirit. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOur Gold Osmanthus tea is from Fanting Village, a small village nestled in the mountains of Anxi, Fujian. The village has around 500 households and is known for its abundance of old osmanthus trees. In Fanting, every household has an osmanthus tree in the yard, and many are over 100 years old.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEvery year in October the entire village is flooded with the sweet, intoxicating fragrance of the osmanthus flowers. The bloom season for osmanthus is very short, so this intensely aromatic experience only lasts for about 2 weeks. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe people who live in Fanting could not know any tree better than they do osmanthus; the blooming and harvesting of osmanthus flowers has a 300 year old history in the village. For the two weeks that the trees are in bloom life for the villagers changes dramatically: everyone stops their regular routines and participates in the annual harvesting of the flowers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEarly in the morning a group of villagers rises to lay out a huge cloth beneath the osmanthus trees. Two or three people then climb to the top of the towering trees carrying long bamboo poles that they use to gently tap the branches. As they carry on with this, climbing and tapping, a mesmerizing rain of osmanthus flowers ensues.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAfterwards, the villagers gather up all the flowers on the cloth. They gather around it, sitting in groups, and sort through the flowers, removing any leaves or branches. The remaining flowers are then sent through a large sieve to remove any remaining debris. Finally, and very quickly, the fresh flowers are freeze-dried at -30°C to retain the sublime fragrance, aroma and taste as much as possible. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\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\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe ratio of flower to water is 1g : 150ml. \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 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e90\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\u003e200 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45 sec, 1 min, 1.5 min\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g","offer_id":39711449251945,"sku":"","price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25g","offer_id":39711449284713,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-tea-jan-14-web-v8-7629.jpg?v=1738015059"},{"product_id":"kaga-genmaicha","title":"Kaga Genmaicha","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e加贺玄米茶\u003c\/strong\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\"\u003eKaga, Ishikawa\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\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 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis inspiring Genmaicha from Maruhachi Tea Factory is a blend of fresh sencha from Shizuoka and Kagoshima and toasted rice, grown in Komatsu City of Ishikawa Prefecture. For the first several infusions it is definitely more sencha forward, with the subtle sweetness of toasted rice backing the briny, electric green notes of the tea.   \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSencha is a fantasy tea: it tastes grassy and earthless, and produces a glowing yellow-green liquor that appears to be plugged into some absent power source. The leaves look fresh as soon as they contact water, and reanimate into semi-translucent emerald fragments. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWe smell the rice more than we taste it in this tea – the saline, umami qualities of the sencha are so forward, the rice appears only after we have submerged in this tea sea,  like a sandy beach. If you love sencha, you will enjoy this intertidal genmaicha immensely. By the fifth infusion the sencha’s taste has softened and the rice is more prominent: we feel them change roles and enjoy the calmness that follows a revitalizing swim. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet weight \u003c\/strong\u003e80\u003cspan\u003eg\u003c\/span\u003e\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 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%;\"\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":"120g Bag","offer_id":44726526116120,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g Tin","offer_id":44726526148888,"sku":"","price":52.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/615A3311.jpg?v=1678413048"},{"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":"snow-flake-duck-shit","title":"Snow Flake \"Duck Shit\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e雪片鸭屎香\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eNovember 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChaozhou, Guangdong\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fresh winter harvest of one of our most notorious Phoenix Oolongs has arrived: Snow Flake “Duck Shit.” Like previous years, this tea reminds us both how potent and how sweet things can become during the winter months. This year’s harvest is so good it should be read as a benchmark for Snowflake Duck Shit. It’s intensely floral, aromatic, creamy and rich: exactly what we seek in winter teas.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dark, robust leaves smell powerful in the gaiwan, like incense, cedar and carmelized plum. For being so rich, the liquor has an impressive amount of structure, as well as clearing evergreen notes that weren’t as pronounced in previous years. Its light astringency is evenly distributed on the palate, and stays present for many infusions, until giving way to a deep and comforting sweetness. You will enjoy spending a good amount of time with this exceptional tea, especially in cold weather. \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;\"\u003eFor tea, an “Snow Flake” refers to oolongs that are harvested in the winter season. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWinter harvest oolongs are gathered when temperatures are frosty on the mountains, and are the smallest and often most precious harvests of the year. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTea harvested and crafted during this time has a special \"snow flavor,\" and the concentrated sweetness that belongs to most things that grow during the winter. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis Snow Flake “Duck Shit” comes from Mr. Fu’s family, who have been residents of Qipan Village on Dazhi Mountain of the Phoenix Mountains for generations, raising bees and growing tea. The tea garden is at 1600 ft elevation, and their tea trees are between 50-60 years old. \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\u003e3.5 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\u003e8\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":49615652356376,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"50g","offer_id":49615652389144,"sku":null,"price":76.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20260112_Cultivate_13878_WEB.jpg?v=1768520853"},{"product_id":"snow-flake-da-wu-ye","title":"Snow Flake \"Da Wu Ye\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e雪片大乌叶\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eNovember 2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChaozhou, Guangdong\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Da Wu Ye” literally translates to “big dark leaf.” It is a common name for Phoenix oolongs that are crafted from darker and broader tea leaves, whereas oolongs made from lighter leaves are often referred to as Bai Ye, or “white leaf.” \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Snow Flake” means this tea was harvested in the winter, when the leaves are concentrated in their qualities from their increased effort to survive. Winter harvests are always the lowest production of the year, and considered the most precious and potent encounter with any varietal. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Snow Flake Da Wu Ye comes from a small production tea garden on Nanling Mountain in Fenghuang County. The tea garden only grows two varietals of Phoenix oolong: Duckshit and Da Wu Ye. It is a natural tea farm where the tea trees are left to grow on their own, with minimal human intervention. As to be expected, production from farms like this is very low, as yields are left in the hands of the weather each year. Last year, for instance, there was no harvest at all on account of a drought. Thus, we really do take time to celebrate the arrival of Snow Flake Da Wu Ye, acknowledging the patience and knowing of the tea farmer who determines when it is achievable to produce. (This tea farmer happens to be a lover of tea himself, and we know he would only produce a winter harvest if it was going to be worthwhile!)  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinter arrived late to the Phoenix mountains this year and there were only a few days that were cold enough for harvesting. This year’s harvest was gathered in early November.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dried tea is a beautiful tangle of robust, blackened leaves that smell like vanilla and sweet cream. As rich in character as it is, drinking this oolong is very calming. The taste of the tea is deeply sweet, with low-landing floral notes that settle on the back of the palate. We taste the whole plant, branches and brambles included, and can picture it in its context –  the waxy emerald green of its winter leaves against snow-covered cliffs – as it passes across our palate. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA gentle edge of astringency emerges as we enjoy this tea through infusions, giving this oolong a wabi sabi feel. This is to be expected and appreciated in Snow Flake teas, as leaves of naturally growing tea trees thicken to survive the winter, meaning proportions in them are not quite as balanced as they are in tea crafted from spring harvests. This, combined with the stress the tea trees are under in the winter, means that no matter how skilled the tea master, winter harvest tea will always be slightly astringent. We taste it as a signature of the season, and the temporal imprint of the tea tree’s terroir. Thus, this tea can give way to a wonderful meditation on winter if you’d like it to follow it there. \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\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\u003e3.5 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\u003e8\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":49615670968600,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"50g","offer_id":49615671001368,"sku":null,"price":56.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-tea-jan-14-web-7191_ffb40b82-d854-4421-8deb-8caf6b0a645e.jpg?v=1737695318"}],"url":"https:\/\/cultivatetea.com\/collections\/for-bocci.oembed","provider":"Cultivate Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}