Molixiang “Jasmine Fragrance”

In 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.

Jasmine 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 from a distance, rather than the overtaking experience we have of it at closer range.

To 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.