Snow Flake "Da Wu Ye"

雪片大乌叶

Harvest
November 2024

Origin
Chaozhou, Guangdong

“Da Wu Ye” literally translates to “big dark leaf.” It is a common name for Phoenix oolongs that are crafted from darker and broader tea leaves, whereas oolongs made from lighter leaves are often referred to as Bai Ye, or “white leaf.” 

“Snow Flake” means this tea was harvested in the winter, when the leaves are concentrated in their qualities from their increased effort to survive. Winter harvests are always the lowest production of the year, and considered the most precious and potent encounter with any varietal. 

This Snow Flake Da Wu Ye comes from a small production tea garden on Nanling Mountain in Fenghuang County. The tea garden only grows two varietals of Phoenix oolong: Duckshit and Da Wu Ye. It is a natural tea farm where the tea trees are left to grow on their own, with minimal human intervention. As to be expected, production from farms like this is very low, as yields are left in the hands of the weather each year. Last year, for instance, there was no harvest at all on account of a drought. Thus, we really do take time to celebrate the arrival of Snow Flake Da Wu Ye, acknowledging the patience and knowing of the tea farmer who determines when it is achievable to produce. (This tea farmer happens to be a lover of tea himself, and we know he would only produce a winter harvest if it was going to be worthwhile!)  

Winter arrived late to the Phoenix mountains this year and there were only a few days that were cold enough for harvesting. This year’s harvest was gathered in early November.

The dried tea is a beautiful tangle of robust, blackened leaves that smell like vanilla and sweet cream. As rich in character as it is, drinking this oolong is very calming. The taste of the tea is deeply sweet, with low-landing floral notes that settle on the back of the palate. We taste the whole plant, branches and brambles included, and can picture it in its context –  the waxy emerald green of its winter leaves against snow-covered cliffs – as it passes across our palate. 

A gentle edge of astringency emerges as we enjoy this tea through infusions, giving this oolong a wabi sabi feel. This is to be expected and appreciated in Snow Flake teas, as leaves of naturally growing tea trees thicken to survive the winter, meaning proportions in them are not quite as balanced as they are in tea crafted from spring harvests. This, combined with the stress the tea trees are under in the winter, means that no matter how skilled the tea master, winter harvest tea will always be slightly astringent. We taste it as a signature of the season, and the temporal imprint of the tea tree’s terroir. Thus, this tea can give way to a wonderful meditation on winter if you’d like it to follow it there. 

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Brewing guide