{"title":"Refined","description":"\u003cp\u003eA lot of care has been placed in the harvesting and crafting of these teas. They are prized for following traditional craftsmanship methods that are often moving towards extinction, or for their use of rare heirloom varietals of tea trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe recommend taking time to be present with these teas. Enjoy looking at them, smelling their aroma, watching their leaves unfurl, and appreciating the color and density of the liquor they brew, and the energetics they offer.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"jasmine-snow-flake","title":"Jasmine Snow Flake","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis tea has a very poetic name in Chinese — 碧潭飘雪 — which loosely translates to \"tranquil snowfall over jade pond\". The image references a very calming scene in nature, and also describes the beautiful experience of brewing this tea: in water, the green tea leaves drift to the bottom of the teapot, while the white jasmine buds float above, like snow suspended on a lake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe base green tea is Emei Spring Maofeng, a delicate first harvest green tea from gardens located at the peak of this sacred mountain. The jasmine flowers come from the village of Jiajiang, known to produce the best jasmine in Sichuan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea leaves have long been known for their remarkable capacity to absorb and preserve the scent of flowers. However, successfully scenting tea leaves is tedious and depends on processes perfected over centuries. The craft began in the Southern Song Dynasty, over a thousand 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\u003eTraditionally, 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 Snow Flake went through six rounds of scenting, taking over two weeks to complete.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea leaves look extra green in this harvest. They are themselves rich in aroma, binding with the scent of jasmine to produce something very complex. The liquor is weighty and less sweet this year, without any astringency, making it feel glycerol and composed. The jasmine is vivid and immediate, lasting for over 6 infusions, gradually becoming sweeter and sweeter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32103165165673,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32103165198441,"sku":"","price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32103165231209,"sku":"","price":170.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/jasmine_snow_flake.jpg?v=1782427717"},{"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":"osmanthus-laoshan-green","title":"Osmanthus Laoshan Green","description":"\u003cp\u003eOsmanthus flowers are extremely ephemeral. Their trees bloom for two weeks in October, once every year. In a village nestled within the cliffs of Mount Lao, an area to which Osmanthus trees are indigenous, this is an unmistakable event. The tiny blossoms fall almost as soon as they have opened, covering the ground in a tangerine coloured snow, while the area is filled with the incredibly sweet smell of the flowers. There are only three days during which they may be harvested and still retain their scent. During this time grandmothers in the village collect them by hand, as they have for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea leaves have long been known for their remarkable capacity to absorb and preserve the scent of flowers. However, successfully scenting tea leaves is tedious and depends on processes perfected over centuries. The craft began in the Southern Song Dynasty, over a thousand 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's family, who crafts this tea, is known for their skill with traditional scenting, as well as for the beautiful location of their tea farm. The many small plots that make up their farm are scattered along the ocean, at the foot of Mount Lao. There is a great peace that settles over this area of Laoshan and the tranquility of Mr. Tang's tea farm extends between its many parts. Here, the smell of the ocean gives way to red pines, overlayed with the scent of green plum from their orchards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea leaves are harvested by Mr. Tang's mother and grandmother, then scented by his uncle. After scenting, the flowers and the tea are packaged together. When we prepare this tea the tiny flowers dance in the water, much like they did as they fell from the trees. While they appear separate, the scenting process has caused the osmanthus and the Laoshan green to become one single, indistinguishable flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust looking at this tea will warm your heart; the fine spindles of Laoshan tea peppered with the tiny, burnt orange osmanthus flowers. It smells intensely like candy, but its taste is very clearing and subtle, finishing with just a touch of sweetness. We notice this is 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\/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":"organic-rose","title":"Organic Crimson Rose","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese vibrant blooms are grown on a small organic farm in the town of Heqing, Yunnan. They are called \"Crimson,\" a varietal of rose that originated in France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo craft them as tea each flower is carefully harvested by hand early in the morning, before the sun is too intense. Immediately after picking, the flowers are freeze-dried to preserve as much of their natural aromas, oils, minerals and vitamins as possible. The dried flowers smell sweet and caramelized, and have a commanding presence when all piled up together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is brewed using one whole flower. As soon as hot water hits it, the liquid turns sapphire blue. As the flower itself slowly drains its fuschia hue into the water, the blue shifts into a blushing, vibrant pink. Preparing the tea is an event in and of itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese roses make a vivid, clean, and remarkably soft tea. As soon as you taste the liquor, you realize how successful their cultivation and craftsmanship has been. This tea is a total experience of rose: dense, delicate, uplifting, and fortifying.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate","offers":[{"title":"15g","offer_id":32102743539817,"sku":"","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30g","offer_id":32102743572585,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"60g","offer_id":39620348903529,"sku":"","price":84.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":51636025164056,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A6212.jpg?v=1695599482"},{"product_id":"wild-white-peony-king","title":"Wild Peony King","description":"\u003cp\u003eWild Peony King comes to us from the well-respected tea forager, Mr. Fan, also aptly known as \"Hunter.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis take on traditional White Peony is made from trees planted by tea farmers in the 1970's that were abandoned as people left the villages for coastal cities. They grow amidst thousands of acres of old growth forest. Here, tea trees compete with a variety of other plants for sunlight, causing their roots to extend deep into the earth to draw nutrients. They grow slowly in the wild, accumulating these nutrients and compounds in their leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAside from the use of wild foraged leaves, the other reason this tea stands out from the average White Peony is its picking standard; only the fresh bud and one fresh leaf is harvested for this tea, making it more akin to Silver Needle. But the craftsmanship of this tea is very traditional, following steps used to make Zhenghe white tea for centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA key feature of this traditional method is 阴干, or shade drying. The foraged leaves are spread out on bamboo mats and are attentively dried in the shade. Essentially, shade dried tea leaves are still \"alive,\" as this method retains as many live enzymes and nutrients as possible. Nowadays it is a very uncommon practice, as it is so laborious, time-consuming, and requires a substantial amount of space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis patient method results in a tea that is as nourishing as it is enjoyable. Its nutritive density and richness is offset by the delicate nature of the young leaves it is made of. The liquor coats the mouth and throat with a complex and lingering sweetness. We find notes of fresh soy milk, mountain herbs, and nuts. In later infusions it becomes more floral and fruity; we taste bamboo, plum blossom and rose.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32459981815913,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32459981848681,"sku":"","price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32459981881449,"sku":"","price":170.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/wildpeonyking.jpg?v=1773981422"},{"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":"old-grove-shuixian-2019","title":"Semi Wild Old Grove Shuixian","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes to us from tea historian and forager, Mei, who seeks indigenous and forgotten Shuixian and Buddha's Hand growing throughout the jungles of Yongchun, Fujian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShuixian is one of the most well-known oolong varietals. Its origin can be traced to the Jianyang District in the northern part of the Fujian province, where it was discovered around 1600 as a tea tree that produced exceptionally fragrant oolongs. It was then brought to the Wuyishan area, where it was cultivated, and where most shuixians today come from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYongchun shuixian differs from Wuyishan shuixian primarily in its craftmanship. The fresh leaves are less oxidized, and go through several rounds of longer and slower roasting. The leaves for this tea were foraged by a group of 9 local villagers from a small grove on Yinshi Mountain, within the protected Water Conservation area. The trees were planted in the 1940's and abandoned, growing wild ever since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea was then handcrafted by Mr. Liu, one of the most earnest and dedicated tea makers that we've met. It was slow roasted over charcoal in four rounds, bringing out the sweetness and distinct aromatics of the varietal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis oolong is extremely complex and ever changing in the glass. We find notes of orchid, fresh pandan, stone fruit, deep minerals, wildflower honey and a very long-lingering sweetness. It might be the perfect example of a Fujian shuixian.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32459988041833,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":32459988074601,"sku":"","price":100.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/semiwildshuixian.jpg?v=1774101414"},{"product_id":"huo-qing","title":"Huoqing \"Fire Jade\" 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis unusual tea is specific to Huangtian, an ancient village in Anhui Province, situated in a fertile valley along the Yangtze River in Southeastern China. Huangtian is a vital place that maintains many long standing traditions. It is famous for handmade paper and its unique architecture: all of the structures have white, concrete walls and black tiles. It is also famous for the craftsmanship of this particular kind of green tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuangtian and the village Yongxi, on the other side of the mountain, are the birthplace of Huoqing 火青, or \"fire green\" tea. Tea making here began in the 1500's, during the Ming Dynasty and the area is still home to many century-old indigenous tea trees. The soil in this rocky area is particularly dense, giving the tea leaves intense flavour and strong energy. These semi-wild trees thrive on their own, in the valley between two mountains, and are only harvested once a year, in Spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt takes both knowing and endurance to reach the wild tea trees scattered throughout the area. The most remote ones are 20 kilometers from the village, and it requires a 3 hour hike into the mountains to access them. Usually, the elders will trek out in the early morning, bringing lunch with them, and return to the village with freshly harvested tea leaves in the late afternoon. The best tea leaves are the ones further from the village, and that receive less direct sunlight. However, there are less and less people willing to make this trek, which means that the best Huoqing teas are slowly disappearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis profound effort to harvest is matched in the craftsmanship of Huoqing; it is one of the most labour-intensive green teas we are aware of, requiring extreme patience, skill and experience. Crafting Huoqing involves 20 hours of continuous pan-frying over charcoal. Traditionally, making one batch of tea meant dividing the 20 hours of pan frying into three, 7 hour shifts split between three people. This Huoqing is crafted by Mr. Zhu, who is now in his seventies. He has been a tea farmer and a beekeeper all his life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Zhu began learning how to make tea with local elders when he was 16 years old. As an apprentice to the master craftsmen, he spent 2 years washing the iron woks that were used to pan fry the green tea. Gradually, he learned how to craft Huoqing tea by hand on his own, mastering the subtle motions that transform the fresh leaves into the tightly rolled balls we see in the finished tea. The tea must be continually moved every minute of the 20 hours that it is in the wok, otherwise the leaves burn. Because of how labour intensive it is. Mr. Zhu and his wife only make 50kg of Huoqing green tea each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea has a strong presence. After 20 hours of gentle roasting, when it finally comes out of the iron wok, the tea has turned a deep, rich green, with a beautiful oily sheen. In the gaiwan they unfurl quickly into bright, youthful leaves that curve softly in the water. We first taste the warm, metallic \"wok hay,\" followed by the intense greenness of the plant, then the wildness of the forest valley, and finally, its spring flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInflected by the extended, rhythmic pan frying process, this green tea presents with such depth and complexity it feels more like a pu-erh. Like a pu-erh, it is such a direct expression of the tea plant and its terroir and, also like a pu-erh, its energy moves evenly throughout the whole body. It has the aroma of freshly peeled tree bark, and the energetics of a wild terrain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe best Huoqing tea leaves are found deep in the mountains of Huangtian. Tea plants that grow on the slopes closer to the village receive more hours of direct sunlight throughout the day, meaning the tea will have a weaker fragrance and lose depth. Tea trees that grow deep in the mountains receive more dappled sunlight, which makes for better tea.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":52015068872984,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40019356713065,"sku":"","price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20260505_Cultivate_0165_WEB.jpg?v=1778731770"},{"product_id":"silver-needle","title":"Silver Needle","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this tea we see pioneering craftsmanship from Mr. Tang, who has applied the Fujian method for white tea to the leaves of Jinggu Big White pu'erh trees, which he planted himself. This method took years of experimentation, an intimate understanding of the climate in Jinggu, and has produced something truly phenomenal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Jinggu Big White varietal of pu erh trees were widely planted between 1985 and 1993 and were popular for their beautiful leaves and high yield. Most tea farmers either processed the leaves as pu erh, sold them as Mao Cha to bigger pu erh factories, made them into silvery green tea, sold them to Guangxi to be turned into jasmine tea, or made them into golden tips black tea. Never, to our knowledge, were they crafted as a white tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Mr. Tang, crafting beautiful teas from a clean and balanced ecosystem is sacred. He is deeply dedicated to the craft of traditional tea making; this philosophy guides everything he does, and is embedded in every single tea he makes. Alongside being an expression of this special ecosystem, his teas are so distinctly peaceful, and feel extremely clear, just as he feels as a person.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere we see these fluffy silver needles pressed into a cake that looks like a shimmering silk cushion. The taste of this tea is very clean and precise, with a long lasting finish. It is both sweet and sustained, giving us time to marvel at the new experience we are being offered.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32877425361001,"sku":"","price":40.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32877425393769,"sku":"","price":155.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20260316_Cultivate_19118_WEB.jpg?v=1774036752"},{"product_id":"taste-of-the-mountain","title":"Taste of the Mountain","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis pu'erh comes from the old-growth forests 8 kms away from Mr. Tang's tea farm in Jinggu, Yunnan. The forest here is vibrant and intact, and its trees grow strong and healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trees for this pu erh are between 200 to 400 years old. They are wild arbor tea trees that grow in the forest unattended. Their leaves are only harvested once a year, meaning that the energy of the trees and their roots remains concentrated in their spring leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWild arbor trees, especially of this age, yield complex, deep and refined teas. Taste of the Mountain has a particularly penetrating strength: it carries the vibrant energy of its forest with it, asking us to imagine how deep into the ground the roots of these trees must go as we follow this pu'erh's complexity through infusions. It is enduring in both its lingering taste, and in the energy it transmits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would drink this pu'erh when we want to journey into the wisdom of ancient trees, knowing that every time we revisit it, we will be shown something different. Experiencing tea like this is always an event to be savoured.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":32877469433961,"sku":"","price":40.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":32877469466729,"sku":"","price":145.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/IMG_3663.jpg?v=1613012966"},{"product_id":"silver-needle-with-tea-flower","title":"Silver Needle \u0026 Tea Blossoms","description":"\u003cp\u003eYes, tea trees flower, which is easy to forget, as we are always so engaged with their buds and leaves. They blossom once every year, in November. The delicate flowers used to make this tea come from the same trees grown on Mr. Tang's farm. They are carefully hand harvested as they bloom, and left to slowly dry in the sun, before being finished over charcoal to remove their remaining moisture; a process that takes over two weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Mr. Tang, crafting beautiful teas from a clean and balanced ecosystem is sacred. He is deeply dedicated to the craft of traditional tea making; this philosophy guides everything he does, and is embedded in every single tea he makes. Alongside being an expression of this special ecosystem, his teas are so distinctly peaceful, and feel extremely clear, just as he feels as a person.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very unique tea in Mr. Tang's portfolio. The Silver Needle is made from the leaves of the Jinggu Big White varietal: trees that Mr. Tang had planted when he first started his tiny organic tea farm decades ago. We will always be struck by the appearance of this tea cake: the contrast of the burnt-orange flowers pressed into the pale, silver needles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is an especially good year for this pressed Silver Needle \u0026amp; Tea Blossom cake. Both the dried blossoms and the liquor this tea brews are a deeper colour this year. Wet in the gaiwan, the petals and leaves look fleshy and metallic, like copper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven dry, this tea is intensely fragrant, like baked fruit, vanilla, and grains. We detect the quality and robustness of the silver needle both in its soft, integrated mouthfeel and in the clarity of its taste. This gentle, viscous texture is the perfect medium for its white flower and stone fruit notes. The nectar from the flowers is incredibly sweet – you'll think someone melted wildflower honey into it while you weren't looking.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":33093862031465,"sku":"","price":38.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":33093862064233,"sku":"","price":76.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g cake","offer_id":45779107283224,"sku":"","price":145.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20260203_Cultivate_17464_WEB.jpg?v=1770503938"},{"product_id":"puerh-raw-bulangshan-2018","title":"Bulangshan 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003eBulangshan is a vast and remote mountainous region approximately 2 hours from the city of Mehngai in the southernmost part of Yunnan, bordering Myanmar. As an enduring environment for ancient rainforests, rare species of plants, and the remaining few Asian elephants, it is where we may still appreciate the biodiversity of Yunnan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBulangshan translates as \"Bulang Mountain,\" Bulang being the name of the indigenous people who have inhabited Southern Yunnan for thousands of years. Bulang people are the earliest known people in the world to cultivate, craft, and drink tea! Thus, this incredible place we call Bulangshan, is also the oldest tea mountain in Yunnan. It is home to two of the oldest and most prestigious villages for pu'erh: Laobanzhang and Laomane, whose history spans 1400 years. The remoteness of this region, and the efforts of its indigenous people, has meant that many tea gardens with old arbor pu'erh  tea trees were saved from being cut down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pu'erh raw is from tea maker Huang Rong, whose family has been inhabitants of a small village in the Bulangshan called Weidong for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeidong village is situated on the other side of the mountain from the famous Laobanzhang village. The people of Weidong originated from Laobanzhang, moving across the mountain approximately 180 year ago to form what became known as Weidong. The seeds of pu'erh tea trees planted in Weidong were brought over from Laobanzhang, and therefore the teas from these villages resemble one another, and speak to the shared origin of their people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuang Rong started a small pu'erh co-op with 6 other villagers in Weidong. The co-op's objective is to demonstrate a commitment to natural, biodynamic farming and to preserve the land and ecosystem where they live for future generations. They do not use any pesticides, sprays or artificial fertilizers, and they do not over-harvest or exploit the pu'erh trees in response to demand: their trees are only harvested twice a year, in spring and in autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trees for this ripe pu erh are around 100 years old, and sit in a tea garden at 6000 ft elevation. They carry the wide-spanning time scale of their region with them, as the tea seems suited to ancient palates; mouths that have never known Doritos or confection. The earthiness of this tea –  its tobacco and funk, or ferment –  is very satisfying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would drink this tea to ease the change of seasons, particularly the transition from summer to fall, when we benefit from something fortifying, uncomplicated, and grounded.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":33094673137769,"sku":"","price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":33096588525673,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"100g","offer_id":33096588558441,"sku":"","price":114.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/IMG_9378.jpg?v=1613012755"},{"product_id":"xigui","title":"Xigui 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis pu'erh raw comes from the remote, historic mountain village, Xigui, of Lincang Prefecture. When we visited this village, at the foothill of Daxueshan 大雪山 (Big Snow Mountain), we drove for many hours, winding upwards between the peaks of this dense mountain range. The blue sky was reflected in the water of the Lancang River below and, as we gained elevation, we could catch its shimmer coming through the banana and bamboo trees that lined the muddy roads. The mud of these narrow, tired roads was the same dark yellow colour it would have been one thousand years ago, when it was Tea Horse Road -- the ancient route used to transport tea to Tibet, Mongolia, and the emperor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArriving in the village of Xigui, at 3200 ft above sea level, is like having unfolded the mountains to discover a secret they've been conspiring with the clouds to keep. The name of the village, Xigui 昔归, is worth noting for how poetic it is. The first character, xi (昔) loosely translates to former times, or 'the past'. The second character, gui (归), loosely translates to \"go back to,\" \"belong to,\" or \"return to.\" The movement in this name is \u003cem\u003ebackwards\u003c\/em\u003e, and also, \u003cem\u003ein-to.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes from the family of Zhang Tianwen, who have been inhabitants of these mountains for generations. The tea trees are roughly 200 years old. They grow on the steep hills overlooking the valley and rivers beneath them. They are surprisingly small and delicate looking, with mottled bark and curling branches. But their age and vitality is evident in the moss and the fungi covering their trunks, the width of their branches, and the abundance of dark, shiny green leaves they produce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWet, in a gaiwan, the leaves are dark, with a slight sheen, and very fragrant. The vividness of the leaves as they progress through infusions invite us to consider how lived experience carries forward: memories that remain generous and vibrant, and which we are nourished by recalling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe drink this tea when we would like time to reflect, and the stabilizing sensation of reflection. It gently encourages us to integrate experiences. In this way Xigui is both a fortifying tea and a transportive one, moving us \u003cem\u003ebackwards\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003einto\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":33121903935593,"sku":"","price":40.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":33121903968361,"sku":"","price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":33121904001129,"sku":"","price":155.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":33121904033897,"sku":"","price":280.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/IMG_1342.jpg?v=1613013648"},{"product_id":"jasmine-wild-white","title":"Jasmine Wild White","description":"\u003cp\u003eComing to us from one of our well-respected tea foragers, Mr. Fan, also aptly known as \"Hunter,\" this tea is made from trees planted in the 1970's, then abandoned as people left the villages for coastal cities. They grew from seeds that were washed downstream by a river that runs through the middle of this vast, old growth forest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere, tea trees compete with a variety of other plants for sunlight. Thus, the roots of the tea trees extend deep into the earth to draw nutrients, growing slowly while accumulating these rich compounds in their leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreserving their wildness, the tea is crafted following local traditional methods. The leaves are withered slowly in the sun for roughly 50 hours, then air-dried for 2 weeks. This slow, natural drying allows the leaves to go through the full process of oxidation, gently transforming their astringent and grassy qualities to something that tastes warm, sweet and floral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlong with white teas, the unique microclimate of Zhenghe County also has a reputation for producing some of the most delicate jasmine flowers in China. Jasmine farms in Zhenghe grow at 1100m elevation, in the misty mountains where the temperatures vary drastically and the soil is sandy and nutrient-scarce. These challenging conditions cause jasmine plants to allocate more resources to survival and less to flowering, making the flowers they produce potent and quite unique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Fan has combined this white tea with dried local jasmine, pressing them together into small, 100g cakes. The combination of these Fujian treasures produces a tea that tastes woven together by flowers: threads of jasmine cross with the inherently floral qualities of the sun dried Shou Mei.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is as stabilizing as it is enchanting. Much of it is enjoyed in its aftertaste, as we breath in the sweet, opal scent of the jasmine. While we brew it we enjoy watching the flowers reanimate, floating on the surface of the water. They appear much like how they taste: fresh, clean, and suspended in a cloud at the top of our palates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":49901218201880,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":49901218234648,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g Cake","offer_id":49901218267416,"sku":null,"price":98.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A2001.jpg?v=1773713741"},{"product_id":"yame-matcha-yamabuki","title":"Matcha \"Yamabuki\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eYamabuki is an excellent example of the rich, oceanic matcha that the Yame region is known for. Its taste sits at the perfect midpoint between its seaweedy, umami qualities and floral sweetness. Its unique density coats the mouth and pulls us downward, towards the ocean floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally stone ground, this vibrant powder whisks into a silky, emerald froth that dramatically alters the colour of milk. Of all of the matcha we carry, perhaps none are better suited to preparing as a latte than Yamabuki. We attribute this to its depth of flavour, and its undeniable presence.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g Tin","offer_id":39428041637993,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g Bag","offer_id":39428041670761,"sku":"","price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g Bag","offer_id":50379694342424,"sku":null,"price":92.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g Bag","offer_id":50558728798488,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A6040.jpg?v=1682815796"},{"product_id":"silk-chrysanthemum-bud","title":"Silk Chrysanthemum Bud","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur Silk Chrysanthemum Bud Tea is made of Hangbai Chrysanthemum, one of the four famous chrysanthemum varietals native to China. This varietal originates from Tongxiang County of Zhejiang Province, where it has been cultivated for roughly 400 years. These small, yellow flowers are one of Zhejiang Province's 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' items.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs highly regarded as these flowers are, they are hardly grown in this region anymore. The chrysanthemum is an annual plant, which means it requires transplanting and propagation each year. On top of that, the traditional method of processing the flowers involves complicated techniques that require a great deal of time. Since cultivating them is so labour intensive, the cost of carrying it on is too high for most families living in the area today. As a result, this tea tradition that has lasted for over 300 years has quietly almost disappeared.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Silk Chrysanthemum is made by a couple, Mei and Yu, who are consciously resisting this trend. They have a keen interest in the revitalization of traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage, which motivated them to convert a small plot of land on their family property to a biodynamic farm for the purpose of cultivating and processing Hangbai Chrysanthemum using traditional methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chrysanthemum bud is harvested carefully by hand in the morning. At night, they are processed using a centuries-old steaming method: wood from local camphor trees is used to start a fire, small batches of 250 grams of fresh chrysanthemum buds are placed inside handwoven bamboo baskets and are steamed for 4 to 5 minutes over the fire. The buds are then baked for 4 to 6 hours, then sun-dried for 2 to 3 days on the bamboo baskets. A final round of baking over camphor charcoal dries the buds thoroughly. When prepared this way, this tea will last a long time and be able to travel great distances without the preservatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHangbai Chrysanthemum is famous for the intensity of its golden colour and the concentration of its medicinal properties. Even in the dried buds we see the striking yellow center contained by thin, curled petals and the silver-green flower cap that once attached to its stamen. This year's harvest brews a strong, vibrant liquor. Its medicinal qualities are less forward than previous years, allowing its dusty sweetness and beautiful florality to appear more prominently.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39507089490025,"sku":"","price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":39507089522793,"sku":"","price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":39507089555561,"sku":"","price":120.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/silk_chrysanthemum_bud_aa05fbf1-70e0-43b3-9b34-1d944eb81467.jpg?v=1782428364"},{"product_id":"rougui","title":"Rougui 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe magnificent Wuyi Mountains, a protected Nature Reserve in Fujian, is home to some of the most treasured and highly sought after oolongs in China. An UNESCO World Heritage site, it famously consists of 36 peaks, 72 caves and 99 cliffs. Tea from this area is called yancha 岩茶, \"cliff or rock oolong.\" True yanchas are rare, as they come from the limited number of tea trees located within the Nature Reserve that are harvested according to ancestral rites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Shuilian Cave is the largest cave in the Wuyi Mountain Area. The cliff that the cave is located in is more than 300 feet tall, with two springs at the top casting over its edge. Clear water runs from these springs, passing over the mouth of the cave, year-round. From below, they appear like two floating dragons spraying ambergris over the mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name of this cliff, Shuiliandong 水帘洞, is made up of three characters: \u003cem\u003eshui\u003c\/em\u003e is water, \u003cem\u003elian\u003c\/em\u003e means curtain or bead, and \u003cem\u003edong\u003c\/em\u003e is cave. And so the cliff is named for this falling water which hangs, like a beaded curtain, over the mouth of the cave. With the constant streams of water filtering through the cliff, continually feeding into the vibrant foliage below, we can imagine the mineral available to the roots of the tea trees there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rich soil is well matched by the more robust varietal of oolong, rougui, that grows here. These rougui trees are around 25 years old. They grow on a small plot of land that belongs to the family of Pei Liyan; generational tea farmers who have ancestral rites to their land inside the Nature Reserve. The tea was crafted by her father, who has been crafting Rock oolongs for over 4 decades. It is made following traditional techniques, which includes being roasted in 5 rounds over the course of 4 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea has the distinct delineating architecture of all rouguis. It seems to open on the palate like a structure built inside a cave. Inside of this mineral construction we taste purple flowers and peach notes. Its subtle complexities appear one after another, in a string of references, and continue for a long time, much like the beads of water that make up Shuilian's curtain.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39537288577129,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":39537288609897,"sku":"","price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":39537288642665,"sku":"","price":170.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/rougui_6e627039-fd20-468d-9b9c-c060a0693593.jpg?v=1774101723"},{"product_id":"the-phantom-valley","title":"The Phantom Valley","description":"\u003cp\u003eWithin the already rare varietal of pu'erh, Dabai \"Big White,\" there is an even less common tree called Yellow Bud. It is a revered and seldom seen varietal, the leaves of which were traditionally reserved as Tribute Teas for emperors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Tang, who crafted this incredible pu'erh, did so with the intention of honouring the thousands year old tradition of pu'erh making. It is appropriate that he used this ancient, yellow leaf varietal, to do so, as it is commonly believed that Yellow Bud was the first tree ever used to make pu'erh. He has crafted this tea using the traditional shai qing 晒青 process, in which the leaves are dried by the sun rather than roasted or oven-dried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cake itself is something to behold. Its soft, mottled surface is notably different from other pu'erh cakes. The thick, long leaves are textured with yellow fur, and in the light their colour looks like variegated gold. Even pressed into a cake the leaves still look wild and alive, an indication of the vitality of the trees they grew on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea awakens us to the ancient tradition of pu'erh making, satisfying an interest in time travel. It has the power to draw you into a place of deep contemplation and expanded awareness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is less funk and ferment than we normally find in old tree pu'erh here. The depth of flavour, like caramel mixed with cigar, grounds the perspective-expanding and stimulating energy it delivers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39625348481129,"sku":"","price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":39625348513897,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g cake","offer_id":39625348546665,"sku":"","price":116.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/IMG_8579.jpg?v=1631821623"},{"product_id":"sacred-mountains","title":"Sacred Mountains 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003ePressed in extremely limited quantities, this is one of the few pu'erh cakes we reserve for private collectors. We were fortunate to receive a small number of these tea cakes directly from our mentor in Beijing. Our mentor prefers remote and small-scale, old grove tea gardens. She is very fond of the 小叶种, or \"small-leaf varietal,\" of pu'erh. However, compared to 大叶种, \"big leaf varietal,\" it is far more difficult to source and much lesser known.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe six ancient tea mountains of Yunnan are 攸乐 You Le, 革登 Ge Deng, 倚邦 Yi Bang, 莽枝 Mangzhi, 蛮砖 Manzhuan, and 易武 Yiwu. Sacred Mountain is crafted with tea leaves sourced from two of the oldest and most secluded ones among them, Xikong 习崆 in Yibang 倚邦 and Manzhuan 蛮砖. On account of being so remote, the small number of ancient tea gardens here remain well preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lesser known, and more primitive 小叶种, \"small leaf varietal,\" of pu'erh trees are indigenous to this region and have been growing naturally in this remote area for thousands of years. Compared to the big leaf varietal, the buds and leaves are smaller, shorter and rounder. The tea brews to a vibrant yellow-green color, and their taste is distinctly gentle and nuanced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly around 100 kg of tea are produced from the Xikong terroir for the Spring harvest. To make this tea the first harvest leaves sourced from two ancient tea gardens were blended together. 70% originates from Xikong, where the Pu'erh is known for its gentle orchid notes with soft, honey undertones. The remaining 30% originates from Manzhuan, where the Pu'erh is known for being sweet and smooth with strong energy, and a long, lingering aftertaste. We find all of these characteristics in Sacred Mountain, combined to make something very unusual, and so remarkable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe liquor from this tea is a strange, light-trapping gold. It is a very balanced tea: as strong as it is sweet. Its more angular floral notes linger for a long time on the palate, giving us an opportunity to breathe them in. The Chinese phrase used to describe the sensation of the tea liquor is 细腻, which translates directly as, fine + intricate + exquisite + smooth + subtle + refined...imagine the synthesis of all of these things in your mouth, that is Sacred Mountain.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39643128463465,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":44540300329240,"sku":"","price":98.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"357g cake","offer_id":52393163653400,"sku":null,"price":595.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/615A1936.jpg?v=1676422652"},{"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":"gold-osmanthus","title":"Gold Osmanthus","description":"\u003cp\u003eEvery year in October a small village in Fujian is flooded with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus. The bloom season is very short, so this intensely aromatic moment only lasts about 2 weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe people who live in Fangting could not know any tree better than they do osmanthus; the 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 to participate in the annual harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\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, without fertilizers or chemicals. They are harvested exactly as is the tradition of the village, and freeze dried the day they have fallen off their tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing like opening a shipment of freshly harvested Gold Osmanthus. The tiny yellow blossoms are abundant and intoxicating. This is one of the most aromatic and potent flower teas in our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis year's harvest is even more robust than previous years. Both the pigment of the flowers and the liquor they brew have a more concentrated pigment of sunshine yellow. The tea tastes intensely fruity and eye-widening tropical notes are extra punchy. It is so full bodied it reminds us of mango juice. Enchanting and all-encompasing, Gold Osmanthus inflects everything with its bright, nutritive spirit.\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":"puerh-ripe-xigui-2019","title":"Xigui 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Pu'erh comes from the remote and historic mountain village, Xigui, of Lincang Prefecture. When I visited this village, at the foothill of Daxueshan (Big Snow Mountain), I drove for many hours, winding upwards between the peaks of this dense mountain range. The blue sky reflected in the water of the Lancang River below and, as I gained elevation, I could catch its shimmer coming through the banana and bamboo trees that lined the muddy roads. It occured to me that the mud of these narrow, tired roads was the same dark yellow colour it would have been one thousand years ago, when it was Tea Horse Road - the route used to transport tea to Tibet, Mongolia, and the emperor. Arriving in the village of Xigui, at 3200 ft above sea level, is like having unfolded the mountains to discover a secret they've been conspiring with the clouds to keep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Xigui comes from the family of Zhang Tianwen, who have been inhabitants of these mountains for generations. The tea trees, at roughly 200 years old, grow on steep hills overlooking the valley and rivers beneath them. These trees are not very tall, nor do they appear very strong: I found them surprisingly delicate looking, with mottled bark, and almost frail seeming branches. Their age is expressed in the moss and the fungi inhabiting their trunks, and their vitality, however discrete, is evident in the width of their branches and the abundance of their dark, shiny green leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name of the village, Xigui, is worth noting for how poetic it is. The first character, xi loosely translates to former times, or 'the past'. The second character, gui, loosely translates to go back to, belong to, return to. The movement in this name is backwards, and also, in-to. It evokes familiar and stabilizing sensations: of belonging, and of the endurance we experience in our childhood and adolescence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this pu'erh ripe so special is that the leaves are harvested from 200 year old trees. In Yunnan, the leaves of ancient arbor trees are almost exclusively used to make pu'erh raw, as they fetch a much higher price. It is very unusual practice to craft a ripe tea from them. The artisan, Zhang Tianwen's, intention was to make a pu'erh ripe using leaves from arbor trees, crafted and fermented with traditional techniques, precisely because such a tea did not exist in the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pu'erh was fermented for 6 months in small batches, and then aged for 9 months. The result of Zhang's experiment is something very rich and satisfying. The ruby red liquor has a mouthfeel so rich it weighs on the tongue like broth. It is deep and silky, carrying a unique taste not commonly found in pu'erh ripes - one we must attribute to the fermenting of the leaves of 200 year old trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would want this pu'erh in wet or dark weather, for its nourishing sensation, and warm, enveloping qualities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39712633454697,"sku":"","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":44540236300568,"sku":"","price":98.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/xigui_puerh_ripe_33f2b3ca-4323-4373-84f2-db407acc00c6.jpg?v=1782428379"},{"product_id":"2020-charcoal-roasted-semi-wild-buddhas-hand","title":"Charcoal Roasted Buddha's Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis heritage oolong comes to us from tea historian and forager, Mei, who seeks indigenous and forgotten Shuixian and Buddha's Hand growing throughout the jungles of Yongchun, Fujian. The origin of Buddha's Hand tea can be traced back to an ancient temple on Shifeng Cliff, Yongchun. Fingered citron, a very fragrant and unusual looking citrus fruit, is a common offering in temples. Soon after the temple was built in the late 1600's, monks planted fingered citron trees to worship Buddha. They also planted tea trees, as they drank tea daily while meditating. The story goes that, one monk thought it would be nice to have a tea with citrus scent. He grafted branches of a tea tree onto the fingered citron tree, carefully cared for it, and successfully made tea from the leaves. It is said that these tea leaves were \"as big as Buddha's hands,\" and carried the natural scent of fingered citron. There are still 89 mother Buddha's Hand trees, all over 300 years old, surrounding the temple today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Charcoal Roasted Buddha's Hand is foraged from old groves of tea trees on Yinshi Mountain, one of the highest peaks in Yongchun. The trees were planted in the 1940's, and only discovered a few years ago. Because of the high altitude and remoteness of its location, these tea trees had been left to grow in the wild, with no human intervention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo make this tea, very young leaves were harvested on the second day of the season, as these tender leaves produce tea that is exceptionally sweet and milky. The fresh leaves are foraged by a small group of nine local villagers, and handcrafted by Mr. Liu, one of the most earnest and dedicated tea makers we've ever encountered. The leaves are slowly roasted over charcoal in four rounds. The result is an oolong that has great depth and complexity. Its warm smokey notes are complimented by bright citrusy and floral notes, finishing with a soft creaminess that sticks to the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":47060923089176,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":47060923121944,"sku":"","price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/charcoalroastedbuddhahand.jpg?v=1774101583"},{"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":"ms-qiongs-heritage-white","title":"Ms. Qiong's Heritage White","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe can attribute this tea's unique character to it being crafted from a very old, indigenous varietal of tea tree, handled with great care and respect by Ms. Qiong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trees in the deserted tea garden she inherited from her father are rare: an heirloom varietal in the region, the majority of which were cut down in the 1980's in favour of the 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 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\u003eOnce picked, the tea leaves are dried on bamboo trays, laid out in a bamboo forest under dappled sun. This softens their taste and results in the beautiful variation we see in the finished tea — some leaves oxidize, while others maintain their sharp, verdant green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is such an unmediated expression of the trees from which it comes; delicious and satisfying, with a body that reminds us of softer oolongs. It is floral, dense, and contains so much minerality, it's like drinking the sweet milk of a stone.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":39997927260265,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":39997927293033,"sku":"","price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/msqiongheritagewhite.jpg?v=1784989622"},{"product_id":"melon-flake","title":"Melon Flake 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eMelon Flakes is a traditional tea that originated from deep within \"The Inner Mountain\" of Lu'an Guapian, known as \"Bat Cave.\" Across from Bat Cave is Qitou Mountain, or \"Flat Head,\" recognizable from afar by its flattened top. This is where our Melon Flakes is from: it grows in a tea garden right on the flat top of Qitou.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe only way to access this peak is by climbing up stone steps for roughly two hours. It is a remote and relatively cool area; after the Qingming Festival tea in Lu'an is only just beginning to sprout. When it does, the elderly women who live in the nearby village travel by foot to harvest the tea from the peak. They carry it down with them on their shoulders to where it can be processed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuapian, or \"Melon Flakes,\"  is the only Chinese tea made entirely from leaves. There are no buds or stems in this tea, and thus it looks noticeably different from every other green tea: it is broad and flattened into flakes, with slightly upturned corners, like slices of melon – hence, the name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe entire process of crafting traditional Melon Flakes takes two full weeks. Considering what it takes to create it, that it is still done at all is quite miraculous. But Melon Flakes stands in a category of its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe taste of this year's Melon Flake spreads as broadly as its leaves across our palate. This is a particularly verdant harvest, delivering both a vibrant green smell and a vibrant green taste. The flattened, dried tea leaves expand in water until they look like a bloom of sea lettuce or wakame salad in the gaiwan. They brew a glowing yellow liquor with a dense mouthfeel that slides across the palate, leaving a toasted aftertaste that reminds us of genmaicha.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g","offer_id":40161838956649,"sku":"","price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g","offer_id":45655878631704,"sku":"","price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/melon_flake_a09e1c64-66f8-4bda-88b8-2fa4b0efafb7.jpg?v=1782428363"},{"product_id":"anji-baicha-high-mountain-2025","title":"Anji Baicha High Mountain 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor many people Anji Biacha is a highly anticipated, and highly appreciated, Fresh Harvest Spring tea. Its name is obscuring: while in this case it refers to a green tea, \"baicha\" translates to \"white tea.\" The varietal has been named this way because of its unusually colourless leaves: due to their lower chlorophyll and higher amino acid content, Anji Baicha leaves are a near-translucent, pale green. When dried, these pale, uniform leaves lay very flat like pine needles. Distinct to them is a dark, green vein which runs down the spine of each leaf, with fine arteries branching off of it. In water these flat, papery leaves behave in an unusual way: they unfold by spiraling open, gradually revealing their striking emerald veins. When these leaves are fully open and suspended in the gaiwan, they are said to look like auspicious cranes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnji Baicha was the favourite tea of a legendary ruler of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Huizong. He was a gifted poet, painter, calligrapher, and very engaged with the tradition of tea. In 1107 Huizong authored a treatise on tea called \u003cem\u003eDaguan Chalun\u003c\/em\u003e. In it, he describes Baicha tea at length; he believed it to be very special amongst teas for its pale, delicate appearance, and noted that it grew sporadically on cliffs, therefore resisted being domesticated by man. This Baicha, that Emperor Huizong so admired, remained a mysterious reference in his text for several centuries, until, in 1982, Baicha trees were discovered in the high mountains of Anji County.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the notoriety that this varietal now has, a handful of highly regarded cultivars have come to exemplify Anji Baicha production, Ms. Qun being one of them. Her Anji Baichas are so sought after, they do not normally appear on the market, which is why we consider them \"Private Room\" teas: extremely small batched teas intended for special occasions, or, had they appeared at a different time, teas that would be reserved only for an emperor. We are very fortunate to have acquired the contact for Ms. Qun, and it is only on account of a network of friendship that we are able to carry a small portion of her tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder water these airy spindles illuminate, emitting an intense and beautiful aroma: mineralic, tropical, like mango skin and wet metal. They gradually become plump, turning a lively shade of spring green. As suggested by this colour, they brew a very fresh and nutritive tasting liquor; savoury at first, with a sweet, lemony finish. A gently coarse mouthfeel slows the liquor's passage across the palate, giving us a bit more time to open receptively to everything it has to offer — which is much!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2026 harvest is particularly floral and has an incredible amount of body. It is a potent harvest: a small amount of tea goes a long way. While still delicate in its aroma, the mouthfeel is dense and creamy. Its trademark bamboo notes gradually emerge through infusions, and the weight of its liquor slowly disperses, finishing with a tea that feels deeply satisfying and refreshing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":40174559133801,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40174559199337,"sku":"","price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-may-2025-tea-2-3356.jpg?v=1747585352"},{"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":"guafengzhai-2018","title":"Guafengzhai 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost pu'erhs come from villages we would call remote, but Guafengzhai might represent an extreme within this category. With just over 100 households, Guafengzhai is the largest and most remote village of Yiwu County in Yunnan. It is about a 30 minute walk away from the border between Yunnan and Laos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have long been fascinated by the mysterious name of this village. The name is made up of 3 characters, the first two, \"guafeng,\" mean \"wind blowing\" and \"zhai\" means \"ancient village.\" The way these terms are combined and pronounced in \"Guafengzhai\" implies ominous and mythical undertones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe people that live in this mysterious place are of the Yao Minority group, and are revered for being extremely adept at climbing the steep slopes of the mountains and forests that surround their village. Their skill has meant that, historically, Guafengzhai has been a place where pu'erh tea gathered from the surrounding mountains and forests is crafted and distributed. In fact, the village itself does not have any tea trees -- pu'erh will not grow there, as it is too windy. And still, pu'erh tea from Guafengzhai is highly regarded and sought after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo make the tea that we say comes from Guafengzhai requires a trek 4 to 5 hours from the village, and involves summiting 3 mountain tops, in order to access the ancient tea gardens where the leaves are harvested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese ancient tea trees, hidden high up in the mountains, were planted in the Ming Dynasty. We consider them to be wild tea trees, as the Yao people have never managed them; they let them thrive on their own in the wild, undisturbed. Nevertheless, the Yao people maintain a deep connection to the ancient tea trees in their mountains. They carefully map out each and every one of them scattered throughout the vast, wild mountains that make up their territory. They are the keepers and stewards of these trees, as no one else would be able to find them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe notice the distinct energetics of this tea before its taste or mouthfeel. It lands very deeply in the body, bringing a strong force with it. The taste is almost medicinal, and the liquor is heavy as it passes across the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea satisfies a want to be nurtured, met, or contained. It is a humbling tea to drink, as it brings us close to the extreme wilderness of the mountains -- a place quite indifferent to humans -- and comes from trees that inhabit a scale of time far greater than our own.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":40402118279273,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40402118312041,"sku":"","price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":40402118344809,"sku":"","price":170.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":40402118410345,"sku":"","price":315.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/615A8664.jpg?v=1667437643"},{"product_id":"jasmine-jade-tips","title":"Jasmine Jade Tips","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis special tea comes from the infamous Mengding Mountain in Sichuan. Here, Jasmine teas are made differently than they are throughout the rest of China. The tea goes through a process called \"hot scenting,\" in which the flowers and tea are pan fried together in a wok.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea leaves have long been known for their remarkable capacity to absorb and preserve the scent of flowers. However, successfully scenting tea leaves is tedious and depends on processes perfected over centuries. The craft began in the Southern Song Dynasty, over a thousand 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\u003eMaster Bai has perfected his own method of hot scenting. This tea went through 6 rounds of cold scenting, during which the flowers and tea are laid out together on bamboo mats, then was finished with one round of hot scenting. This final round gives a warmer, richer, taste to the tea and an even deeper experience of the jasmine's scent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummer this year in Sichuan was exceptionally hot, and the jasmine did not blossom until mid August. Master Bai received the last of the jasmine buds, also the most fragrant ones, on August 30 so that he could finally finish scenting this tea. The Maofeng tea comes from the peak of Mengding Mountain. It is a stronger varietal, and quite porous, making it able to absorb the jasmine scent very thoroughly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs potent as this tea is, it is also very pretty, both in taste and appearance. The white flowers remain speckled throughout the darkened green tea leaves. The soft, milky mouthfeel of this year's harvest delivers an incredible amount of flavour and aroma. When we wonder why Jasmine Tea is as cherished as it is around the world, we can look to this one for an answer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":44133572837656,"sku":"","price":38.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":44133572870424,"sku":"","price":76.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A8534.jpg?v=1729219469"},{"product_id":"yongchun-rougui","title":"Yongchun Rougui","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor the last decade our friend Mei has trekked almost all of the mountains and peaks of Yongchun. She has come across abandoned tea trees deep in the mountains, and remote small scale tea farms that are still in operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rougui is an experimental tea from one of these small scale farms. The craftsman brought over trees of the Rougui varietal from the Wuyi Mountains, where they are indigenous, and planted them in the protected Water Reservoir Area of Yongchun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis high-altitude area is a jungle, with interconnected trees branching over the edges of the lakes and rivers. The soil here is very unique, made up of mostly small, weathered granite rocks, which offer the ideal drainage for oolong varietals. Mainly shuixian tea trees grow on this mountain, alongside a small number of Buddha's Hand trees. Up until around 10 years ago, when these trees were planted, there had never been a known rougui tree here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis transplanted varietal offers us a unique experience of rougui, sustained by a completely new terroir. We find that, without the specific and concentrated minerals of the Wuyi Mountains, we taste the unusual sweetness and softness of this robust varietal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a far more lighthearted tea than what we would expect from a rougui. Some of the varietal's characteristic minerality is still there, but that structure is washed over by a velvety mouthfeel we usually see in other Yongchun oolongs, like Shuixian and Buddha's Hand. It has a saliva-producing, grassy sweetness, with notes of cigar leaf, caramel and smoke.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":44133743493400,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":44133743526168,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/yongchunrougui.jpg?v=1774101538"},{"product_id":"kenjo-kaga-bocha","title":"Kenjo Kaga Bocha","description":"\u003cp\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. Kaga Bocha specifically has been crafted in Ishikawa Prefecture since the Meiji period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter many years of practice, Maruhachi Tea Factory was asked to produce the finest quality kaga bocha for Emperor Showa, the 124th emperor of Japan, who favoured roasted teas as he grew older. To do this it was essential that they use high quality stems. The highest grade, and the ones sourced for this tea, are called \u003cem\u003emiruibo\u003c\/em\u003e, which means \"young, soft and fresh.\" These stems are rarely produced by farmers, as they come exclusively from first harvest leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere 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 hot sand and heated indirectly. Heat transfers gradually to the center of the tender stems, bringing out their complexity without over-roasting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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. 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\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result of this incredible craftsmanship is a tea that resides in a category of its own, and is unlike anything we have ever tasted. The flavour of kaga bocha is soft and gentle, but it has an undeniable intensity, whether you brew it hot or cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wet tea smells like tobacco leaf, ashed cigar, and pandan. As we drink it, these aromatics settle in the center of our palate before moving upwards to fill our head. The sensation is so vaporous, it may feel like you are smoking it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe call this tea \"Cultivate's Bocha,\" as it reminds us of what we love about pu'erh: it is deep, it continues to surprise us, and as it does, invites openness and consideration.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"60g Bag","offer_id":44661273100568,"sku":"","price":46.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"60g Tin","offer_id":44661273133336,"sku":"","price":55.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/615A3294.jpg?v=1678411758"},{"product_id":"pine-moon","title":"Pine \u0026 Moon","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor the past few years Tang Wang has been looking for abandoned pu'erh tea trees in the mountains and jungles by his tea farm in Yunnan. He has experimented with harvesting their leaves and crafting them into various pu'erh raws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trees for Pine \u0026amp; Moon are 5 km away from Mr. Tang's tea farm. They grow in a tea garden situated within a state-owned forest, where they were abandoned a very long time ago. The trees are only accessible on foot, by way of a very rugged road. He named this tea Pine \u0026amp; Moon because of the towering khasi pine trees that make up this dense forest; these tea trees have grown amongst the pines for over a century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery spring the leaves of these trees are collected by people from the nearest village. Their 20 km hike into the forest takes them 3 hours, and they are only able to collect a few pounds of fresh leaves each day. They rarely encounter any people this deep in the forest, and step gently in the presence of the birds and the mountain trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce gathered, the fresh buds and leaves are handed off to Mr. Tang who spreads them out on bamboo mats to dry until they develop a floral, honeyed fragrance. Then they are pan-fried in a charcoal-fired iron work. After sitting for a few hours they are kneaded and shaped, and then finally, dried in the sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2026 harvest is a bright and refined harvest of Pine and Moon. It has some extra sparkle and lightness in its energetics. We feel its cooling properties circulating upwards, behind the eyes. The taste of this harvest is less forested -- we feel more of the moonlight coming through. This is a wonderful tea for daily drinking, and a pu'erh raw that feels particularly refreshing and peaceful.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":45596785475864,"sku":"","price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":52415779111192,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g cake","offer_id":52415779143960,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-june-17-2025-tea-cake-2-v1-5945.jpg?v=1752344006"},{"product_id":"fountain-of-the-forest","title":"Fountain of the Forest","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor the past few years Tang Wang has been looking for abandoned pu'erh tea trees in the mountains and jungles by his tea farm. He has experimented with harvesting their leaves and making them into different pu'erh raws. He has made teas from two different groves of trees he discovered -- one is facing north, and the other one is on the southern side of the mountain. The roads leading to both of them are very rugged and only accessible on foot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leaves for this tea are gathered in dense jungles 8 km up the mountain from Mr. Tang's tea farm, at around 6300 ft elevation. The forest here is wild, teeming with life and towering trees. Even tea trees grow tall and straight in these conditions, as they compete with the thick foliage for sunlight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe age and varietal of these tea trees is varied, but all of them thrive in the wild, having grown unattended by humans for many years. The smaller tea trees are around 80 to 90 years old, and the bigger ones are between 200 and 300 years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea from their leaves is powerful, but also delicately supportive. The liquor feels weighty and substantial, gushing with forest. This incredible density is lifted by a bright, active ferment flavour that leans towards sour. This tea smells funky, like mud and plant matter, but tastes remarkably sweet. It finishes with a soft floral fragrance, characteristic of tea from Jinggu, as though signing its name in petals.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":45596943450392,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":45596943483160,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":45596943515928,"sku":null,"price":170.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g Cake","offer_id":45596943548696,"sku":null,"price":330.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A1631.jpg?v=1688019003"},{"product_id":"jiutaipo-puerh-raw","title":"Jiutaipo Ancient Tree","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor the past few years Tang Wang has been looking for abandoned pu'erh tea trees in the mountains and jungles by his tea farm. He has experimented with harvesting their leaves and making them into different pu'erh raws. Last year he released the first small batch of this pu'erh raw, made from leaves he collected on his foraging trips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a privilege for us to present this special pu'erh raw from the ancient trees of Jiutaipo. \"Jiutaipo\" is the name of a very small, remote village in Jinggu, Yunnan. There are only 41 households here, and nearby them stand some of the oldest and most difficult to access tea gardens in Jinggu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes from a beautiful alpine garden at 6000 ft elevation. The tea trees are of the indigenous Mengku \"Big-Leaf\" varietal, and are all between 150-200 years old. They were planted by people in the late Qing Dynasty, with the intention of producing tea for export to Myanmar, Hong Kong and Macau.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea garden sits on the west side of the mountain, receiving plenty of sunshine while surrounded by a healthy old growth forest. There are no built roads leading to the garden, making it very hard to find and reach. The tea trees are considered semi-wild, because while they were planted for cultivation centuries ago, they have survived untended, with minimal human intervention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditional practice is to only harvest these trees once-per-year, in the spring. For this one special harvest only the first leaves are picked. The first harvest leaves are then crafted into a cake using a traditional sun-drying technique that best preserves their powerful energetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2026 harvest is less metallic and more mineralic, this harvest still conjures melted rock as it pushes warmth through the body. We feel the force and clarity of its energetics and a pleasing lemon note coming from the ferment on the finish. If you smell the wet leaves you will immediately detect how much energy they contain. This tea cake has so much to offer, it's very well suited for aging.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":45605945016600,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":52415778816280,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g Cake","offer_id":45605945114904,"sku":null,"price":440.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-june-17-2025-tea-cake-2-v1-6012.jpg?v=1752353719"},{"product_id":"imperial-puerh-in-red-mandarin2010","title":"Imperial Pu'erh in Red Mandarin","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Lange Tea Factory has been making red mandarin pu'erh since the 1970's, and has a reputation for doing it more rigorously, and to greater results, than anywhere else in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey source chen pi from Tianma, the most prestigious village for producing the mandarins. Fruit for this tea was selected from their oldest trees, with peels that are thick and full-bodied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe imperial pu'erh ripe that fills the hollowed mandarins is from Menghai, Yunnan. The trees are 70 years old, and as imperial grade, only the tips are selected in making it. The tea was crafted using traditional methods, and sun-dried to finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea and the orange have been aging together, one densely packed inside the other, for 16 years. This is a remarkably long time compared to most versions of this tea available on the market! At this point the dried orange looks as though it was cast in bronze -- we can still see the perfect dimples on the rind, frozen in time. Aged this long, dried orange peel is considered a medicine and has a lot of depth and complexity in flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidering its potent health benefits, this tea tastes remarkably gentle. It is very clean and direct, with a weight and softness that feels hydrating. The full essence of the orange peel comes out in second and third infusions: its sweet, oily flavour envelopes the taste of the tea, mimicking the way this tea was aged. The orange peel lifts the earthy taste of the pu'erh, and their flavour is so fused, it's difficult to taste them apart. This tea will be enjoyed by people who aren't usually pu'erh ripe drinkers, as it has been so thoroughly changed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":46566355042584,"sku":"","price":38.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":46566355075352,"sku":"","price":76.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":46566355108120,"sku":"","price":145.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A8972.jpg?v=1696033260"},{"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\/da_ansunrisered.jpg?v=1784989600"},{"product_id":"yellow-pearl-chrysanthemum","title":"Yellow Pearl Chrysanthemum","description":"\u003cp\u003eHuai Chrysanthemum is one of the four traditional varietals of chrysanthemum from China. The flower originated in a small area in Henan Province, and still has the smallest growing region of all four kinds of chrysanthemum. Thus, Huai chrysanthemums are known as the most rare. They are also known to be the most medicinally potent in regards to their ability to clear heat and inflammation from the body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese Huai chrysanthemums come from the small village in Jiaozuo, Henan. Their alpine farm is 2600 ft above sea level. It is a natural farm, where no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used. The flowers are picked by hand in early November by a small group of women from the village. In this harvest, just over 50 kg of fresh flowers were collected over an intensive period of three full days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe freshly picked flowers are crafted as tea according to the traditional method: they are scattered on bamboo mats, then steamed over a charcoal fire. As soon as their petals soften they are slowly baked over low heat to thoroughly dry them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chrysanthemums brew a clear, lemon-yellow liquor with a warm, expansive sweetness. It is very cheerful to watch them expand in the water, with their thin yellow petals unfurling together. The tea they brew is just as pleasing: it tastes sunbaked, like hay and candied orange peel. At the back of the throat it causes a cool, tingling sensation that makes us want to continue sipping it. Pearl chrysanthemum tea is both enervating and relaxing, much like the fresh high-alpine air they bloomed in.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":47278842773784,"sku":"","price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"50g","offer_id":51357084680472,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A7178.jpg?v=1700873548"},{"product_id":"matcha-kakegawa-for-matcha-latte","title":"Matcha \"Kakegawa\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eMatcha Kakegawa stands out for how bright, fresh smelling, and luminous the tea powder is. It whisks into a smooth suspension, gathering a substantial foam in the process. Pouring it into milk softens its rich green colour into a vibrant pastel. Inherently creamy, this matcha blends perfectly with milk, making for a truly delicious latte with a refreshing mouthfeel.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g Tin","offer_id":48275486507288,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g Refill","offer_id":48275486540056,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g Bag","offer_id":48275486605592,"sku":null,"price":92.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g Bag","offer_id":49234479644952,"sku":null,"price":172.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20251202_Cultivate_12677_WEB.jpg?v=1764955641"},{"product_id":"matcha-mare","title":"Matcha \"Mare\" Shincha","description":"\u003cp\u003eDry, this harvest smells very inviting, like fresh roses and sesame crackers. Whisked in the chawan the rich green powder becomes toasted and starchy. It even tastes baked, like steamed buns – an impression accentuated by its airy and leavened mouthfeel. This is a deep and soothing harvest, fruitless and warm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArita Sansuien was founded in 1949 in Uji, Kyoto by Ippei Arita. In the 75 years since their founding, they have formed deep relationships with the best tea farmers in the core producing regions of Uji. These areas – namely, Joyo City, Kyotanabe and Uji City – are some of the top regions for tencha and matcha production in all of Japan, growing the best varietals of tea trees for matcha, like Samidori, Asahi, and Ujihikari.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorking with tea farmers who have been cultivating tencha for a long time, they only source tencha that is hand picked: a labour intensive, and increasingly rare, way to harvest tea, even in Kyoto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey uniquely finish their matcha with a drying process called \"neri\" that uses white charcoal, or \"kishu binchotan.\" This costly and tedious method is rarely seen, and is a signature of Arita Sansuien's commitment to the skillful traditional craftsmanship of matcha. Matcha made this way has a natural and more gentle taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey blend, mill, and charcoal fire all their matcha in house. They have 11 stone mills: running constantly, each mill will produce up to 40 grams of matcha per hour.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g Tin Can","offer_id":48355248242968,"sku":"","price":58.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"40g Bag","offer_id":49264901652760,"sku":null,"price":98.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/G0A5179.jpg?v=1714259456"},{"product_id":"matcha-kotobuki","title":"Matcha \"Kotobuki\" Shincha","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe tasted this matcha – the highest grade that Arita Sansuien offers – after tasting several from their profile. Having enjoyed them all so much, we had to see what their top grade was like. After tasting it, we felt we had no choice but to include this tea in our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven dry this matcha smells complex, like toasted nori and white soya sauce. It whisks into a lime green, luminous froth that tastes sweet like green peas and vanilla.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the palate it has noticeable structure, while still feeling slick and soft. This mouth coating effect gives it an incredibly long finish making this a wonderful matcha to sit with, or to use for meditation, as it leaves such a lasting and evolving impression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArita Sansuien was founded in 1949 in Uji, Kyoto by Ippei Arita. In the 75 years since their founding, they have formed deep relationships with the best tea farmers in the core producing regions of Uji. These areas – namely, Joyo City, Kyotanabe and Uji City – are some of the top regions for tencha and matcha production in all of Japan, growing the best varietals of tea trees for matcha, like Samidori, Asahi, and Ujihikari.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorking with tea farmers who have been cultivating tencha for a long time, they only source tencha that is hand picked: a labour intensive, and increasingly rare, way to harvest tea, even in Kyoto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey uniquely finish their matcha with a drying process called \"neri\" that uses white charcoal, or \"kishu binchotan.\" This costly and tedious method is rarely seen, and is a signature of Arita Sansuien's commitment to the skillful traditional craftsmanship of matcha. Matcha made this way has a natural and more gentle taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey blend, mill, and charcoal fire all their matcha in house. They have 11 stone mills: running constantly, each mill will produce up to 40 grams of matcha per hour.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g Tin Can","offer_id":48355261546776,"sku":null,"price":72.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g Bag","offer_id":51205248811288,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/G0A5252_cd63d28b-3ec3-4671-a160-d2c178410c41.jpg?v=1714260568"},{"product_id":"matcha-seihyo-no-shiro-shincha","title":"Matcha \"Seihyo no Shiro\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eSeihyo no Shiro is an impressive new addition to our collection of matcha from Ikkoen Chaho. This bright, lime green powder whisks into a light, creamy matcha that evolves dynamically on the palate. It opens softly with a pleasing, powdery mouthfeel that eventually gives way to an astringent, electric finish. The most unassuming of the Ikkoen Chaho matcha, but no less impactful, this tea would pair wonderfully with wagashi or sweets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIkkoen Chaho is a tiny tea shop founded in 1947 by Hiroshi Mitsuo in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Now it is run by the son of Hiroshi and his wife, Chie Mitsuo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are an anomaly in Cultivate's collection, mainly because they do not farm their own tea. Instead, they purchase high quality tencha from Uji, Kyoto that they use to mill their own matcha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir shop is home to 3 traditional matcha mills that they use to make tencha from Uji into matcha. These machines have been used and maintained here since the shop opened in 1947. They are beautiful pieces of equipment, each housed in a wooden case and run by a steady conveyor belt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor how small their shop and production is, they are surprisingly well known in the matcha industry in Japan, and a name that many Sado teachers quietly and assuredly recommend. This is all to say that the matcha from Ikkoen Chaho is very precious; the 3 stone mills produce roughly 30 grams of matcha per hour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shop has no website, no online presence, only a single store in Nagoya. We are very proud to offer 3 ceremonial matcha from Ikkoen Chaho at Cultivate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g Tin Can","offer_id":48392062337304,"sku":"","price":52.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g Box","offer_id":50571388682520,"sku":null,"price":98.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20251117_Cultivate_1061_WEB.jpg?v=1764293858"},{"product_id":"matcha-hana-for-matcha-latte","title":"Matcha \"Hana\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe found this amazing matcha on a sourcing trip to Nishio, Aichi and fell in love with it instantly. It sits well alongside our other options for matcha latte, offering something uniquely and incredibly sweet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatcha Hana has an impressive intensity of flavour for being so light. Its silky mouthfeel delivers an exhilarating bouquet of floral notes underlaid by its candied nature. Its clean finish leaves only the lingering taste of sugar crystals on the palate, making for a refreshing and satisfying latte without any extra sugar required.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g Tin","offer_id":49157349179672,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g Bag","offer_id":49157349212440,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g Bag","offer_id":49157349245208,"sku":null,"price":92.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g Bag","offer_id":49933398278424,"sku":null,"price":176.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A4246.jpg?v=1727326861"},{"product_id":"gold-peony","title":"Gold Peony","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Gold Peony is a true-cliff rock oolong, harvested from leaves grown on Bishi 碧石岩, or \"Jade Stone,\" cliff. Its name refers to an uncommon varietal, made from crossbreeding two famous Fujian oolong trees: Tieguanyin and Golden Cassia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGold Peony was first introduced in the Anxi region, but didn't gain much recognition until it found its way to the Wuyi Mountain area. It is an especially fragrant varietal, favoured by oolong drinkers who prefer a simpler, sweeter fragrance and lighter body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a delicate varietal, Gold Peony is traditionally more lightly roasted than most cliff oolongs. This one received 4 rounds of gentle charcoal roasting over a span of 6 months. It was completed in October of 2023, and aged for 1 year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe find this Gold Peony to be particularly balanced, with the depth of character we would expect from a charcoal roasted cliff oolong of this quality, animated by a sprightliness imparted by the varietal. It is so delicate on the tongue, it seems to flicker. Its taste leads with fruity notes, like peach and raw cacao, then mineral notes and nectarine pit come through in its long finish. This is an excellent choice for a high quality, 'everyday drinking,' cliff oolong.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":49192835416344,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":49192835449112,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":49192835481880,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/615A2728_d3f00833-22c4-4c8d-8638-c2ed43f2c4eb.jpg?v=1731039243"},{"product_id":"matcha-hikari","title":"Matcha \"Hikari\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn Japanese Hikari means \"light,\" but not \"light\" as in pale or airy; \"light\" as in the kind that comes from the sun. This matcha is vibrant in all of its qualities. It has a luminous, lichen green colour that deepens significantly when water hits it. It whisks into a silky liquid that tints milk a dense, limey hue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt first taste we are wowed by how powerful this matcha is. It is luscious and full bodied, delivering sweet and umami notes in equal measure. Its gently astringent finish lifts it into the roof of our palates. As intense as it is, Matcha Hikari is so balanced it leaves us feeling enlivened evenly, in every dimension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile full bodied and umami-forward, this matcha from Nishio is slightly sweeter and brighter than matcha from the Yame region. It still feels rich, saline, and slippery, but stands out for the way it counters its own density. You could think of it as an uplifting counterpart to the distinct, downward pull we find in high quality matcha from Yame.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g Tin","offer_id":49895756497176,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g Bag","offer_id":49895756529944,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g Bag","offer_id":49895756562712,"sku":null,"price":92.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g Bag","offer_id":49973941600536,"sku":null,"price":176.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-march-2025-matcha-1230_578a6067-17d7-4c95-a1e0-84e9bfed4ec6.jpg?v=1744816896"},{"product_id":"noma-fuji-kaori-copy","title":"Seasonal Hojicha \"Shizu 7132\"","description":"\u003cp\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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNoma is a collection of limited edition roasted teas designed by the Maruhachi Tea Factory. Each season they release a special roasted tea in this series that is inspired by the time of year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis delicately roasted green tea is intentionally crafted to align with the spring season. With a gentle astringency, reminiscent of fresh, budding flowers, its scent makes us feel a little light headed, and certainly light-hearted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unique floral aroma of this seasonal hojicha comes from the tea leaves themselves, without the use of any artificial oils or scenting processes. The main varietal in this hojicha is \"Shizu 7132,\" known to carry a scent reminiscent of cherry blossom leaves. These Shizu 7132 tea leaves have been carefully grown by producers before being blended and traditionally roasted at Maruhachi Tea Factory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis season's Noma is characterized by its subtle astringency and soft, caramelized sweetness. The roasted leaves and stems brew a golden liquor that lands with structure on the palate. It is warming and refreshing -- grassy and honeyed -- like hay left out in the sun. Its sakura scent comes after we've swallowed it, leaving a trail of blossoms in its wake.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"60g Bag","offer_id":50059855692056,"sku":null,"price":58.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-june-2025-hochija-v2-3915.jpg?v=1749663815"},{"product_id":"shincha-matcha-saemidori","title":"Matcha Velvet 7  \"Saemidori\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eMatcha \"Velvet 7\" is a new, exclusive line of single origin, single cultivar shincha (new harvest) matcha from Yame, Fukuoka. This series is a rare opportunity to taste matcha from the famous Yame region in its most pristine state: freshly harvested, direct from the grower, and unblended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe launch this series with perhaps the gentlest and the most outstanding of the 7 cultivars: Saemidori has such a soft, refined and refreshing quality, it shifts our understanding of what matcha from Yame can be like. It has an incredibly creamy mouthfeel, with notes of soybean, tea leaf, and bamboo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmell\u003c\/strong\u003e:  sweet, soybean, sprouted greens, lily \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour\u003c\/strong\u003e: asparagus green\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste\u003c\/strong\u003e: creamy, tea leaf, fresh bean, bamboo, clean finish \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g bag","offer_id":50329417416984,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g bag","offer_id":50329419710744,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-june-2025-matcha-v3-3769_3e5ecb3a-158d-4145-96e0-5d865ee44380.jpg?v=1749671463"},{"product_id":"matcha-velvet-7-kirari","title":"Matcha Velvet 7  \"Kirari\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Matcha Velvet 7\" is a new, exclusive line of single origin, single cultivar shincha (new harvest) matcha from Yame, Fukuoka. This series is a rare opportunity to taste matcha from the famous Yame region in its most pristine state: freshly harvested, direct from the grower, and unblended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese matcha are also unique as they are delicious both as a latte or usucha (with only water), so we invite you to experience them both ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKirari is the water spirit of this series, so much so that we enjoy it both as a latte and usucha style, and will offer it to you both ways. Its electric green colour, sweet plant notes, and orchid flower finish culminate like an enchanted lake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmell\u003c\/strong\u003e: soy bean, freshly shelled peas, water flowers \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour\u003c\/strong\u003e: lime green\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e rich, orchid aroma, seaweed, floral and electric finish \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g bag","offer_id":50356688748824,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g bag","offer_id":50356688781592,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-june-17-2025-matcha-1-v3-5440.jpg?v=1750651458"},{"product_id":"matcha-velvet-7-oku-yutaka","title":"Matcha Velvet 7  \"Oku Yutaka\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Matcha Velvet 7\" is a new, exclusive line of single origin, single cultivar shincha (new harvest) matcha from Yame, Fukuoka. This series is a rare opportunity to taste matcha from the famous Yame region in its most pristine state: freshly harvested, direct from the grower, and unblended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese matcha are also unique as they are delicious both as a latte or usucha (with only water), so we invite you to experience them both ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone who likes their matcha sweet, you will be so pleased to encounter Oku Yutaka. This matcha bewilders us because, prepared as a latte, you'd think it had secretly generated its own sugar. It has a thick, satisfying mouthfeel and leaves the taste of marshmallow on your tongue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmell\u003c\/strong\u003e:  mineralic, oily, perfumed \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour\u003c\/strong\u003e: grass green \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e rich, very sweet, ice cream, marshmallow \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g bag","offer_id":50356695367960,"sku":null,"price":52.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g bag","offer_id":50356695400728,"sku":null,"price":86.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/cultivate-june-17-2025-matcha-2-v3-5614.jpg?v=1750651408"}],"url":"https:\/\/cultivatetea.com\/collections\/refined.oembed?page=2","provider":"Cultivate Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}