Plum Blossom

Plum trees bloom in the depth of winter, when snow is falling around them. In Chinese culture they symbolize perseverance, as their beauty is a result of their negotiation with adverse circumstances.

Our plum blossoms are from the villages of the famous Huangshan Mountain. This area is significant, not only for the lineage of poets, artists, and hermits it attracts, (the entire area is an UNESCO World Heritage Site), but also for its impressive biodiversity. The dramatic peaks of this mountain range are suspended in a sea of clouds and its remote terrain protects cultural practices, plants, and animal species that are all nearing extinction.

These Plum Blossoms are harvested in early January from trees that are between 60 and 100 years old. The dark, metallic bark of these trees stands out against the stark winter landscape. On their bare limbs, the white blossoms hold tightly to the branches. They appear in clusters that eventually proliferate to decorate the entire crown of the tree. If it wasn't for their scent, they could be mistaken for delicately accumulated snow.

These old trees thrive in the mountains on their own, without human intervention. No sprays or chemicals are required in cultivating them. After the flowers are harvested they are dried naturally, in open air, on bamboo trays.

Plum blossoms are treasured for their poetic significance and their medicinal benefits. They are known to calm the liver and stomach, and clear heat and resolve dryness in the body. The taste of them is very soothing, with notes of green almond and toasted apricot kernel.

This year's harvest is particularly bright and fresh tasting. The tea smells and tastes like marzipan, and, once in water, the little flowers open just like they would on the branch.