{"title":"Phoenix Oolong","description":"\u003cp\u003ePhoenix Oolongs are named after the mountain range they come from: the Phoenix Mountains in Chaozhou, Guangdong.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe appreciate Phoenix Oolongs for their incredible scent, which most of them are named after, and their expression of high altitude terroirs.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lingtou-bai-ye","title":"Old Tree Baiye Red","description":"\u003cp\u003eLingtou Baiye is a highly regarded and well known varietal of Phoenix oolong. \"Lingtou\" is the name of the village where the varietal originated from, and \"Baiye\" translates to \"white leaf.\" Lingtou Village on Shuangbinniang Mountain has been cultivating the Baiye varietal since the 1960's.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe earliest classification of Phoenix oolongs only distinguished between 白叶 Baiye (white leaf) or 乌叶 Wuye (dark leaf), depending on what color of the fresh leaves were when they sprouted from the tree. Further classification of Phoenix oolongs, by their aroma, came later. After land reforms in the 1950's, tea trees in this region were assigned to individual tea farmers, and many of them gave unusual and secret names to the trees they had been assigned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Old Tree Baiye Red is a Phoenix \"Dancong\" oolong from the mountains of Raoping County in the city of Chaozhou. It comes from a small biodynamic tea farm in Lingtou village, within Raoping County. This is a well known place in these mountains: particularly charming, with a wealth of lychee, longan and pineapple trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo craft this tea freshly picked leaves are first withered indoors on woven bamboo mats for around 10 hours. The leaves are then tossed and bruised to ensure even oxidation. This process lasts about 2 days, allowing the slowly oxidizing leaves to develop complex flavour. Finally, the tea is roasted at low temperatures over lychee charcoal, evoking its innate fruitiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a delicious tea, and its sweetness is complex, like transformed fruit. In the first several infusions it has notes of lychee, roasted sweet potato and molasses. In later infusions it tastes like sakura, with lingering notes of ripe mangoes and dried longan. These discrete flavours are dynamic and ever-changing, adding to how enchanting this Old Tree Baiye is.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32103920402537,"sku":"","price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32103920435305,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32103920468073,"sku":"","price":96.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/oldtreebaiyered.jpg?v=1774101874"},{"product_id":"song-zhong-pheonix-oolong","title":"Da'an Song Zhong","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe are very fortunate to be able to offer this beautiful Songzhong from Da'an Village of the legendary Wudong Mountain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDa'an Village sits at 3,000 ft elevation, deep within the Wudong Mountains and central to an area widely regarded as the most prestigious origin for Phoenix oolongs. The name \"Da'an'' means \"Great Monastery,\" a reference to the ancient Taiping temple built here during the Qing Dynasty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn account of the tea-appreciating Buddhist monks that inhabited Taiping, Da'an is home to the \"mother trees\" of many varietals of Phoenix oolongs that the monks planted around their temple. The mother tree of this varietal – Songzhong – lives here, and is now at least 400 years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is understandably difficult to source tea from such a highly sought after region, especially ones made from older trees. This tea was personally sourced by Cultivate's tea mentor who has nurtured relationships in the region. In this tea, they explained to us, the unique terroir of Wudong, the impressive age of the trees, and highly skilled craftsmanship combine to create an outstanding example of the Song cultivar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTasting this tea, we see how these factors have synthesized into something exceptional. In the gaiwan, the leaves look like dark ropes, mottled in colour from their bruising, and slick and strong like arame seaweed. The tea is intensely aromatic - floral, fruity, and slightly smoky - with savoury, saline undertones difficult to name. Its liquor is smooth and thick, coating your mouth and throat with a sweetness that lingers long after it is swallowed. We find wild mountain flowers and pomelo in this tea, woven through a dense, rocky foundation. It leaves us feeling very awakened, not to mention grateful for the experience of tasting it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32459949277289,"sku":"","price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32459949310057,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32459949375593,"sku":"","price":110.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20260316_Cultivate_19105_WEB.jpg?v=1774038568"},{"product_id":"huangzhixiang-pheonix-oolong","title":"Huangzhixiang","description":"\u003cp\u003eHuangzhixiang directly translates to \"Yellow Gardenia Fragrance,\" which describes the unmistakable aroma this varietal of oolong emits. This gardenia scented tea tree was given the name \"Huangzhixiang\" in 1956, by the tea cooperative in Wudong Village. The tea farmers that made up this cooperative recognized that the fragrance of yellow gardenia flowers may be used as a benchmark for the fragrance of all teas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes from the famous Da'an Village of Wudong Mountain. The village takes its name from the ancient Taiping Temple there, which dates back to the Qing Dynasty. At 3100 ft above sea level, the area is suspended in mist and clouds that continuously obscure Wudong Mountain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe region is marked by many giant rocks, and between them, densely gathered vegetation. The village is nestled between mountain peaks in all directions. We find many ancient tea trees, Mother Trees, and Old Groves thriving in the special geography around Da'an Village. According to locals, the monks who meditated in Taiping Temple liked to drink tea, and they grew and harvested their own tea trees. Villagers suspect that this is the reason why there are so many varietals of tea trees in Da'an, all stemming from the tea garden that was once tended to by the monks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuangzhixiang is a delicate oolong and we taste it in long, arching strokes. Its sweetness lingers on the palate, intermixing with the smell of honey and strange fruit. The tea liquor has a striking bright yellowish-orange tone, and appears dense, like an elixir. The aroma of yellow gardenia flowers lingers on the palate long after it is swallowed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32459953045609,"sku":"","price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32459953111145,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32459953143913,"sku":"","price":115.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/huangzhixiang.jpg?v=1774038729"},{"product_id":"milanxiang","title":"Honey Orchid","description":"\u003cp\u003eMilanxiang, or Honey Orchid, is a Dancong, or \"single grove,\" Oolong from Dazhi Mountain, the third highest peak in the Phoenix Mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo grow Phoenix Dancong cultivars will select a wild \"mother tree\" from the ancient tea trees indigenous to the region, basing their choice on its distinct fragrance. They then graft this mother tree onto existing trees, cloning and then propagating it. After several generations of this practice, there are nearly one hundred well known varietals of Phoenix Dancong, each with a unique fragrance and taste. Most were named for their aromas — we see names like Gardenia, Magnolia, Jasmine, and, in this instance, Honey Orchid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo craft this tea freshly picked leaves are withered indoors on woven bamboo mats for 10 hours. Then the leaves are tossed and bruised to ensure even oxidation. The oxidation process lasts for more than 2 days, during which the leaves develop increasingly complex flavor profiles. Finally, the tea is roasted at a low temperature over lychee charcoal, coaxing out its natural fruity notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resulting tea is very pretty. Its pink-tinted liquor smells like dried roses. Beneath the flowers you find nectarines, buckwheat honey and pomegranate molasses. These notes, along with the tea's mouthfeel, culminate in a honeyed quality that evolves over many infusions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39537273634921,"sku":"","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":39537273667689,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":39537273700457,"sku":"","price":84.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A7071.jpg?v=1705161058"},{"product_id":"old-grove-lingtou-baiye","title":"Old Grove Lingtou Baiye","description":"\u003cp\u003eLingtou Baiye is a classic tea. It is known for its distinct honey notes, underlying a very beautiful floral fragrance that fills the nasal passages. It is famously full-bodied, while still being refreshing. Good Lingtou Baiye from higher elevation villages like this one can be aged up to 20 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince the 1960s Lingtou Village in Shuangbinniang Mountain has been cultivating the Baiye varietal of Phoenix Oolong and receiving a great deal of attention for it! \"Lingtou\" is the name of the village where this varietal originated, and \"Baiye\" translates to \"white leaf.\" In the 1980s this varietal was classified by the China State Commerce Department as \"China's Famous Tea.\" In the 1990s it was listed as \"tea for state guests,\" and was served to important foreign visitors at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe earliest classification of Phoenix Oolong were 白叶 Baiye (white leaf) or 乌叶 Wuye (dark leaf), depending on the color of the fresh new leaves. The classification of Phoenix Oolong by aroma, (like Huangzhixiang for gardenia scent, Molixiang for jasmine scent), appeared later, after land reforms in the 1950s when tea estates were given to individual tea farmers who then took liberty naming their teas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis classic Phoenix oolong is incredibly delicious. It opens quickly, revealing its complex fragrance and smooth body in the first infusion. Its tasting notes remind us of the bruising process the tea leaves went through: in its bright golden liquor we find dark purple flowers, cooked fruits, and black plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOld Grove oolongs last for many, many infusions. At first they are very dynamic and captivate our full attention, then eventually they level out, sustaining a beautiful flavour and full body for a surprisingly long time. This is a tea to sit with.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39643132493929,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A2912.jpg?v=1701894889"},{"product_id":"yashixiang-duck-shit-2019","title":"Yashixiang \"Duck Shit\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eYashixiang, or \"Duck Shit,\" is a relatively recent Phoenix Oolong varietal. The mother tree, now 85 years old, is situated in the well-known Pingkangtou Village on Wudong Mountain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLegend has it that the name Yashixiang or \"Duck Shit\" came from this Village. The mother tree was planted in a tea garden where the soil was tinted yellow, dense with clay and minerals that made it resemble the colour of duck shit. Tea trees planted in this soil grew beautiful, dark green tea leaves, and villagers began to ask the tea farmer for the name of this striking varietal. Afraid that his tea plant would be stolen, the tea farmer responded, \"it's not good tea, it smells like duck shit.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea's detracting name succeeded in protecting the mother trees, but did not restrict Yashixiang's reputation as an exceptional and refined Phoenix Oolong. This one is made with leaves from an old grove of trees, crafted by tea master Ma Xiaohou, who has been working with the Yashixiang varietal since the '90's.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leaves have been gently roasted over charcoal for over 20 hours, adding great depth and texture to this already complex leaf. It takes great skill and practice, as there is a fine point to which this tea has to be bruised and roasted to express Yashixiang's full character without overpowering its nuances, and Ma Xiaohou has achieved this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts slightly oily liquor is smooth and clear, coating the mouth and drawing saliva from under the tongue immediately. Its character is found more in the body of the tea than its fragrance. Fine tannins create delicate resistance on the palate, slowing the passing aromatics and giving the tea a soothing downward pull. We find notes of camphor, incense, lychee, and pungent flowers, however as a whole, it gives the sensation of tasting like \u003cem\u003ea bit of everything\u003c\/em\u003e ... perhaps it can only be said to taste like \"Duck Shit.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo fully experience this tea, we highly recommend using a high quality porcelain gaiwan for brewing. After each infusion, be sure to smell the inside of the lid of your gaiwan by breathing short and quick puffs of air in and out of your nose very close to the lid. Repeating this after each infusion, you will see that aroma changes dramatically with each puff of air in and out of your nose. The scent of Duck Shit takes us to many, very beautiful places.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39712635060329,"sku":"","price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A2760.jpg?v=1731038182"},{"product_id":"molixiang-jasmine-fragrance","title":"Molixiang “Jasmine Fragrance”","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn English, Molixiang directly translates to \"Jasmine Fragrance.\" As we would expect, this tea is intensely floral. It comes from Fengxi Mountain, a relatively low elevation region in the Phoenix Mountains, where the Molixiang tea trees are considered Old Grove. The elevation makes them more accessible than other Phoenix oolongs, but they are crafted with the same care and attention as the most prized teas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJasmine flowers have a special way of enticing us. When smelled up close their aroma is so intense it overwhelms the senses, but when smelled from afar it is so beguiling it draws us towards them. In the craftsmanship of this tea, artisans are consciously aiming to produce the scent of jasmine \u003cem\u003efrom a distance\u003c\/em\u003e, rather than the overtaking experience we have of it at closer range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo allow the aroma to concentrate, and then relax, this tea has been aged intentionally for at least a year. Time has left it very balanced, with an intriguing aroma and a rich, mouth-coating liquor. At first it is sweet and fragrant, like flowers and their nectar, then it gives way to the \"taste of the grove,\" where we feel the edges of forest notes, and the age and embeddedness of these trees in their region.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":40240116203625,"sku":"","price":40.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40240116236393,"sku":"","price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":40240116269161,"sku":"","price":156.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/molixiang.jpg?v=1774101840"},{"product_id":"daan-sunrise-red","title":"Da'an Sunrise Red","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe are very fortunate to be able to offer this Sunrise Red from Da'an Village, of the legendary Wudong Mountain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Phoenix Oolong is crafted out of a varietal of tea called Dongfang Hong, which translates directly as \"Oriental,\" or \"Eastern Red.\" It has long been the tea selected to be served to foreign heads of state when they attend important dinners in China, and is famous for its elegant aroma, deep and full bodied mouth feel, and silky texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDa'an Village lies deep within the Wudong Mountains and central to an area widely regarded as the most prestigious origin for Phoenix oolongs. The name of the village means \"Great Monastery,\" a reference to the ancient Taiping temple built there during the Qing Dynasty. Because of the tea-appreciating Buddhist monks that first inhabited the temple, Da'an is home to the Mother Trees of many varietals of Phoenix oolongs; they are the trees that the monks planted near the temple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese tea trees are third generation offspring of their Mother Tree. The tea is traditionally crafted by hand, and slowly roasted over charcoal at low heat. Dry, the tea smells like nectar and honey. Once wet, its dark, long spindles smell more like smoke and acacia wood. The first three infusions are very fragrant and sweet, drawing saliva under the tongue. Its intoxicating fragrance sticks to the palate, building layers of aroma as you drink it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a slightly oily texture, we really notice this tea's intensity building through infusions. Its lingering notes, like longan and wood, are very soothing and give this oolong a downward pull that relaxes the body. Eventually, it places us back where it started us off, with the last infusions tasting like very floral honey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":47153518084376,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":47153518117144,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":47153518149912,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A8639.jpg?v=1699043228"},{"product_id":"yi-yi-rice","title":"Yi Yi Rice","description":"\u003cp\u003eYiyi Rice is an oolong almost exclusively enjoyed by the local people of the Phoenix Mountain Range. In Chinese, its name is \u003cem\u003eEr Mi\u003c\/em\u003e, which translates roughly as \"Two Rice.\" We call this tea YiYi Rice because \u003cem\u003eYi\u003c\/em\u003e is one, and the Chinese character for \u003cem\u003eEr\u003c\/em\u003e consists of two \u003cem\u003eYi,\u003c\/em\u003e like two grains of rice standing next to one another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally, in the Phoenix Mountain Range, all of the oolong crafted each season is sorted by hand at the finishing stage. Any leaves that appear slightly brown in color are picked out and set aside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese leaves will have discoloured either because they were slightly older when they were harvested, or because they were bruised and oxidized slightly more than the other leaves. YiYi Rice is tea made from these leaves. There are usually not many of them removed from each batch of Phoenix Oolong, so they are blended together for locals to enjoy as an everyday-tea year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis one comes from core producing villages, Wudong, Da'an, and Daping, which are all renowned for their higher elevation tea farms and older tea trees. For this reason, it is a great introduction to higher-end Phoenix Oolong, offering an experience of tea from older trees at an otherwise impossible value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would like to sip on YiYi Rice while we are working on something, or hanging out with a friend. It is deep and sweet, presenting a relaxed version of the high-end Phoenix Oolongs we love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has a caramelized and floral aroma that seeps deep into the palate. The tea is very well crafted, so the leaves are full and open evenly in the gaiwan, revealing their mottled surface from the bruising process. Their liquor has a clean taste, with charcoal notes threaded evenly through its earthy sweetness and uplifted finish. This is a great oolong for daily drinking, at a truly incredible value!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":49319491961112,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":49319491993880,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":49319492026648,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A2629.jpg?v=1731039590"},{"product_id":"snow-flake-duck-shit","title":"Snow Flake \"Duck Shit\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fresh winter harvest of one of our most notorious Phoenix Oolongs, Snow Flake \"Duck Shit.\" This tea reminds us both how potent, and how sweet, things can be during the winter months. This year's harvest is so excellent it could be considered a benchmark for Snowflake Duck Shit: intensely floral, aromatic, creamy and rich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Snow Flake\" refers to oolongs that are harvested in the winter season. They are gathered when temperatures are frosty on the mountains, and are the smallest harvests of the year. Teas harvested and crafted during this time are known to have a special \"snow flavor,\" along with the concentrated sweetness common amongst things that grow through the winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Snow Flake \"Duck Shit\" comes from Mr. Fu's family, who have been residents of Qipan Village on Dazhi Mountain for generations, keeping bees and growing tea. Their farm is on the eastern side and the third highest peak of the Phoenix Mountain range, where the Dancong varietal originates from, and where there are still thousands of them, over 100 years old, scattered throughout the tiny villages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe peak of Dazhi Mountain has an elevation of 4200 ft and the village of Qipan is located about halfway up, at an altitude of 2300 ft. Here, the temperatures are more mild, and the soil is very unique, made of a type of oil shale that is rich in kerogen and minerals, producing the distinct aroma we find in Dazhi Mountain teas. Only tea farms positioned near the middle of this mountainous region, like those in Dazhi, are able to produce a winter harvest tea, making teas like this one very precious, even to the locals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese dark, robust leaves smell powerful in the gaiwan, like incense, cedar and caramelized plum. The liquor has an impressive amount of structure, as well as clearing evergreen notes that are especially pronounced in this harvest. 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","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":49615652356376,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"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\"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.\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"},{"product_id":"snow-orchid","title":"Snow Orchid","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese tea buds are famous for sprouting right at the moment winter begins its shift to spring. For this reason, they are said to grow \"as fiercely as a tiger,\" and are even referred to as \"tea tigers\" among growers. This tea is of the Honey Orchid varietal, but because it has the intense fragrance of a winter harvest, combined with the mellow, rich undertone of spring tea, it is called \"Snow Orchid.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese transitional harvests do not happen every year. The prerequisite for high-quality Snow Orchid is that the winter must be cold enough or dry enough for the tea trees to enter full dormancy. Once they receive the signal of spring's rising earth energy, the winter buds, having accumulated nutrients, sprout rapidly. The buds are harvested right at the moment this happens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSnow Orchid teas will only turn out balanced if they have come from high mountains; Low mountain versions are fragrant, but thin, and have very high caffeine content. This one comes from Baishuihu village, on the southern foothills of Wudong and the main peak of Phoenix Mountain, at an elevation of 2500ft. It is the recognized birthplace of the Honey Orchid varietal, and continues to produce the finest Honey Orchid oolongs in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBaishuihu village is just off the main road that leads to Wudong's summit; the path into the village remains a rugged trail, and the remote ecological environment is excellent for tea trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe south-facing foothills of Wudong are considered the finest tea-growing terrain outside the main peak. They are shrouded in fog, with dense vegetation. The temperature variation and diffused light here are key factors in producing a successful Snow Orchid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven in perfect terrain, Baishuihu Snow Orchid is not available every year, as it depends entirely on the weather. At the end of 2025, the high Phoenix mountains were extremely cold and dry. At the beginning of spring there was a great deal of fog, so temperatures warmed quickly without a cold snap. This fleeting stretch of weather provided excellent conditions for early spring varietals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Snow Orchid was picked in early March, slow-roasted twice over gentle charcoal fire, and finished by early April. After resting for a month its fragrance is crisp and complex, its honey notes are prominent, and it actively draws saliva from under the tongue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis seasonal phenomenon grants us a delicate experience of the Honey Orchid varietal. It is more austere and less weighty than traditional winter or spring harvests, and is fascinatingly warming and refreshing, at once. This is exactly what we would want a tea to be during transit, or through fluctuating conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":52142481703192,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20260602_Cultivate_0834_WEB.jpg?v=1781106643"}],"url":"https:\/\/cultivatetea.com\/collections\/phoenix-oolong\/flavour-aromatic.oembed","provider":"Cultivate Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}