Emperor's Chrysanthemum

Emperor's Chrysanthemum are an ancient varietal of flower indigenous to Huangshan Mountain. In the Song Dynasty they were cultivated as tribute teas for the Emperor. Every November, as soon as the flowers were harvested and dried, they were sent by the fastest horses to the palace for the Emperor and his family. They are long appreciated throughout China as a restorative tea for the end of winter and early spring.

This is our 10th year receiving these chrysanthemums from Huangshan. As the highest grade of Emperor's Chrysanthemum, they have gotten progressively harder to source. This is for several reasons: the weather in the region has become increasingly unpredictable; this indigenous varietal has a much lower yield than modern varietals; they are grown without the use of fertilizers or chemicals; and the picking standards are very high meaning any weather damage makes the chrysanthemums unsuitable for this tea.

However small, this is an absolutely stunning harvest. The flowers smell sweet and look perfectly orb-like when dry. They open quickly in water, expanding into incredibly fluffy blossoms that look buoyant and alive. They brew an electric yellow liquor that takes on the lemonade hue of the flower's robust inner petals.

We taste the symmetry we see in these flowers in the tea they brew. Their liquor is perfectly balanced between its medicinal qualities and saccharine sweetness. Drinking it is calming, as its slightly weighty mouthfeel presses down on the palate before settling warmly into the chest. The therapeutic qualities of chrysanthemum tea are well known and immediately felt. It clears excess heat from the body, supports the liver, and refreshes our eyesight.